A new team of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) staff will lead a department-wide effort focused on serving beginning farmers and ranchers.

“More than a quarter of producers are beginning farmers,” said USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Censky. “We need to support the next generation of agricultural producers who we will soon rely upon to grow our nation’s food and fiber.”

The 2018 Farm Bill directed USDA to create a national coordinator position in the agency and state-level coordinators for four of its agencies: Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Risk Management Agency and Rural Development.

Sarah Campbell was selected as the national coordinator to lead USDA’s efforts. She will work closely with state coordinators to develop goals and create plans to increase beginning farmer participation and access to programs while coordinating nationwide efforts.

“We know starting a new farm business is extremely challenging, and we know our customers value and benefit from being able to work directly with our field employees, especially beginning farmers,” Campbell said. “These new coordinators will be a key resource at the local level and will help beginning farmers get the support they need.”

Each state coordinator will receive training and develop tailored beginning farmer outreach plans for their state. Coordinators will help field employees better reach and serve beginning farmers and ranchers.

More information is available at newfarmers.usda.gov and farmers.gov.