Rollins’ first major policy proposal aims to boost smaller farmers
From an article by AGDAILY reporters
Article excerpts:
“Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ first major set of policy proposals are aimed at improving the viability and longevity of smaller-scale family farms — a tactic directly addressing some of her biggest critics over the past several months. The newly launched Make Agriculture Great Again Initiative has outlined a toolkit of actions, including the streamlining of application processes, improving reliable access to credit, farmland, and markets, and appropriate business planning tools that are intended to better serve the 86 percent of farms in the U.S. that are considered to be small operations.”
“Her 14-page Farmers First proposal is broken down into 10 categories that will “ensure small family farmers can start and stay in business for generations to come,” the document said. “USDA is placing specific emphasis on understanding the barriers to starting and keeping small family farms viable.” The categories are:
- Ensure Simple Streamlined and Transparent Tools and Applications
- Ensure Reliable Access to Credit
- Ensure Working Farmland is Used to Farm
- Ensure Small Farms Can Be Passed On to the Next Generation for Generations to Come
- Hyperfocus USDA Programs for Farmers on Farmers
- Labor Reform
- Enhance Access to Risk Management and Business Planning Tools
- Ensure Definitions of Farm Size Reflect Modern Day Realities
- Enhance Farmer Access to Educational Resources
- Other Small Farm Resources Available”
“America’s family farms help feed, fuel, and clothe the world, but they also face some of the greatest challenges in getting their farms started and keeping them running. Putting Farmers First means addressing the issues farmers face head-on and fostering an economic environment that doesn’t put up roadblocks on business creation but removes them,” Rollins said.”
https://www.agdaily.com/news/rollins-first-major-policy-proposal-aims-to-boost-smaller-farmers/