By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Farming has depended on one generation taking over from another, but that trend has declined over the past few years.

 A tough living has become even harder in the wake of a bad economy, but a University of Kentucky (UK) Cooperative Extension program recently got a boost that will help beginning farmers get a better start. Through a nearly $750,000 USDA grant, extension will be able to offer a comprehensive training program for beginning farmers and those contemplating agriculture.

The program, called “A Common Field,” will be a two-year course offered in 20 different areas of the state and will be a partnership between UK and Kentucky State University. Lee Meyer, extension professor, and Jennifer Hunter, extension associate in the UK Department of Agricultural Economics, are the co-principal investigators on the grant.

“This really started with interest from farmers and county extension agents. They recognized the problem of farmers like having to sell their farms as they got older and retired,” he said.

“They needed enough money to retire on, so they were having to sell their farm to get the money.”

A couple of other scenarios Meyer outlined included farmers not having a succession plan and younger-generation farmers trying to take over, but the farm not being a good enough business to support a second family.

“We did a workshop last year about transitioning into retirement or passing it on to the next generation or finding someone else to farm their land, so that’s what really led to this beginning farmer program,” he said.

The grant came through in October and the next step is to bring in 10 or 12 groups of extension agents for training sessions in a couple of weeks, said Meyer.

“They will put together clusters of beginning farmers who are interested and then help coordinate the program at the local level,” he added.

Beginning farmers, as defined by the USDA, are those who have been farming for 10 years or fewer, but Meyer emphasized that doesn’t necessarily mean a young farmer.

“What we anticipate are two groups; one will probably be second-career farmers, those who have been in another career and want to come back and farm,” he said. “If you look at the data, it is mostly young people who are beginning farmers, but there is another group of middle-aged people, and I think that is neat because those people will bring some other experiences, like business experiences, that will help them get off to a different start.”

Besides recruiting young farmers, there will also be a mentoring component that will recruit and train experienced farmers to participate and help these young farmers learn the ropes. Meyer added programs such as this will also be important to rural communities, to survive and maintain their character.

“If you look up in the Northeast, there is a lot of rural land but it’s not in farming anymore. It’s become woods, and while it’s valuable as a timber resource, there are no fertilizer dealers anymore, no grain elevators, no stockyards, and those add to employment levels and keep rural communities active,” he said.

“Beginning farmers and ranchers face unique challenges and need educational and training programs to enhance their profitability and long-term sustainability,” said Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan. “The training and education provided through these grants will help ensure the success of the next generation of farmers and ranchers, as they work to feed people in their local communities and throughout the world.”

Hunter said the course will cover topics such as enterprise evaluation, land-labor resources, nutrient management, farm record-keeping, agriculture water quality plans and marketing plans, among others during its first year.

“The main educational component will be a 12-session, face-to-face program; a fairly traditional type extension program, where we’ll go out to multi-county areas and delver a series of topics,” she said.

Harold Benson, director of the land grant program at KSU, said this is a way for the two institutions to work together to help make sure these new farmers are successful.

“This is an opportunity for two institutions to bring together their resources for the betterment of a clientele that desperately needs good, unbiased research and support in these days of trial by fire,” he said. “To put it simply, we want to be the best helping hand that we can be and to get these farmers to the point where they are assured that they can be a success.”

For more information about the program or to express an interest in enrolling, contact your local extension office.