Torres Small Promotes USDA’s Efforts To Help New Farmers

New and beginning northwest farmers can make use of various USDA programs to grow their operation.  During a recent swing to the west coast, Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small discussed how the Ag Department is assisting those new to farming.  Specialty Crops are  a big part of what many new farmers grow in this part of the nation.

“And also crucial when it comes to building robust local and regional markets and supporting small and mid-sized farms.”

Torres Small added USDA also has a lot to offer for new farmers to become established in the industry.  Part of that help, she added, is making it easier to get a loan.

“FSA reduced their loan application from 29 pages to 13 pages in the Biden administration, and we just implemented the first rewrite for our loan regulation in over 40 years," Torres Small noted.  "And that's going to help young farmers to specifically because it requires less collateral to get a loan from USDA and also provides for some more flexible repayment options.”

Torres Small said it’s important that new and beginning farmers have the skills to be successful in today’s farm environment.

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