This support is available through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Programme (BFRDP), administered by USDA's National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Winning awards from last year's application cycle will be announced in the near future.

"The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program is critical for cultivating the next generation of farmers and ranchers, who will be integral to sustaining America's agricultural future," said Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden.

"Leading community and service organisations are on the front lines when it comes to identifying and training new farmers and ranchers. Strong partnerships with these groups are the key to our success."

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Programme awards grants to organisations implementing programmes to train beginning farmers and ranchers, including workshops, educational teams, training, and technical assistance throughout the United States.

Fiscal Year 2015 applications for BFRDP are due March 13, 2015. Eligible applicants are collaborative, state, tribal, local, or regionally-based network or partnership of public or private entities, including state cooperative extension service; community-based and nongovernmental organisation; colleges or universities (including institutions awarding associate degrees); or any other appropriate organisation providing services to beginning farmers and ranchers.

At least five per cent of the funds must go to projects that serve military veteran beginning farmers and ranchers, and at least five per cent to projects that serve socially-disadvantaged, limited-resource, or farmworker audiences. All applicants are required to provide funds or in-kind support from non-federal sources in an amount that is at least equal to 25 per cent of the federal funds requested.

Priority topics are:

• Basic livestock, forest management, and crop farming practices;
• Innovative farm, ranch, and private, nonindustrial forest land transfer strategies;
• Entrepreneurship and business training;
• Financial and risk management training (including the acquisition and management of agricultural credit);
• Natural resource management and planning;
• Diversification and marketing strategies;
• Curriculum development;
• Mentoring, apprenticeships, and internships;
• Resources and referral;
• Farm financial benchmarking;
• Assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers;
• Agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veterans;
• Farm safety and awareness; and
• Other similar subject areas of use to beginning farmers or ranchers.

NIFA will host a webinar for interested applicants on Wednesday, February 11, 2015, from 2:00-4:00 p.m. EST. No password or advance reservation is required. A recording will be posted on the NIFA website shortly after the event.

From 2009-2012, 145 awards have been made for more than $71 million through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. Additional information about USDA support for new farmers and ranchers is available at www.usda.gov/newfarmers.