The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has appointed 20 new members to the Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers. This committee is an effort by the USDA to promote equitable access to its services and programs and to create more market opportunities for local and regional food production.
The USDA aims to provide better opportunities for new generations of farmers and ranchers, whether they are continuing family traditions or starting fresh, ensuring that they have a voice in policy-making that affects their operations, rural economies, and food security.
The Advisory Committee comprises representatives from diverse sectors including farming and ranching, academic institutions, tribal agricultural entities, banking, and nonprofit organizations.
These members have demonstrated the ability to represent new and beginning farmers, minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and small establishments. The committee members bring expertise from various fields such as academia, industry, government, and public health organizations to better support beginning farmers and ranchers.
The 20 newly appointed members are drawn from various sectors and regions. This includes individuals from governmental roles, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, technical fields, and the farming and ranching community.
Some of the representatives include Denis Ebodaghe and Sarah Campbell from government agencies, nonprofit leaders like Thai Nguyen and Jeanette Lombardo, and ranchers such as Nancy Brannaman from Iowa and Ana Rodriguez from Puerto Rico. Together, they will contribute to shaping policies that enhance opportunities for beginning farmers.
The Advisory Committee on Beginning Farmers and Ranchers, first established in 1992, plays a key role in advising the Secretary of Agriculture on policies and strategies that can benefit new farmers and ranchers.
Its work is supported by the USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), which focuses on forming partnerships to tackle challenges faced by rural and underserved communities and connecting them to education and resources available through USDA programs.
Under the Biden-Harris administration, the USDA is undergoing a transformation aimed at making America’s food system more resilient and equitable. The administration is focusing on local and regional food production, fairer markets for producers, expanding access to healthy food, and fostering climate-smart agricultural practices.
Additionally, the USDA is making significant investments in rural infrastructure and clean energy and is committed to advancing equity across its departments by addressing systemic barriers and building a workforce that reflects the diversity of the nation.
