Beginning Farmers
Joining a Profession that Truly Needs You
Public domain photo by Pete Krumhardt, NRCS
New farmers are quickly becoming a rarity, and these days, it can be hard to get started. Yet exciting opportunities exist in farming and ranching, especially for those who capture the growing consumer interest in healthy food and stewardship of our natural resources. Anyone with interest can become a new farmer - there is no age limit on pursuing an interest in farming or ranching.
Center for Rural Affairs
Who is a Beginning Farmer?
- A beginning farmer is defined as one who:
- Has not operated a farm or ranch for more than 10 years
- Does not own a farm or ranch greater than 30 percent of the average size farm in the county as determined by the most current Census for Agriculture
- Meets the loan eligibility requirements of the program to which he/she is applying
- Substantially participates in the operation
Custom Farming Tax Credit Program
The Iowa Legislature created the Custom Hire Tax Credit Program in 2013 as an incentive for hiring beginning farmers. The program offers a tax credit to anyone hiring a beginning farmer to do agricultural contract work for the production of crops or livestock in Iowa.
The Iowa Legislature created the Custom Hire Tax Credit Program in 2013 as an incentive for hiring beginning farmers. The program offers a tax credit to anyone hiring a beginning farmer to do agricultural contract work for the production of crops or livestock in Iowa.
2017 Beginning Farmer Workshops Announced
Shortage of U.S. farmers reaching epidemic proportions: USDA official
USDA invests $18 million to train beginning
farmers and ranchers
Shortage of Farmers Creates "Dangerous Situation" for U.S.
America Running Out of Farmers?
Learn about the Beginning Farmer Center, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, here.
Thinking of quitting your job to go into farming? How 7 farms got started: