Next Generation Farmer Act
Sponsored By: Representative Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would _expand access to farm ownership loans for beginning farmers and ranchers_. It reduces the minimum on‑the‑job experience and creates waiver paths based on management experience or structured mentoring, including SCORE involvement.
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- People who worked as hired farm labor with at least 1 year of substantial management duties could win a waiver and become eligible for farm ownership loans.
- Retired farmers, SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) counselors, and approved local farm operators or organizations can serve as mentors to help beginning farmers qualify through the new waiver pathway.
- The Secretary of Agriculture would get discretion to waive the 1‑year experience rule when applicants meet either the management or mentoring pathway, enabling more beginning farmers to pursue ownership loans.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Easier farm ownership loans for beginners
If enacted, this would lower the experience rule for qualified beginning farmers and ranchers seeking federal farm ownership loans. The minimum on-the-job experience would drop from 3 years to 1 year. USDA could waive the 1-year rule if you have at least 1 year as hired farm labor with substantial management duties. USDA could also waive it if you have an approved mentor, like a retired farmer, a SCORE counselor, or a local farm operator or group approved by USDA. This would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]
MN • R
Cosponsors
Riley (NY)
NY • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov