BFRDP Projects

The purpose of the renewal Legal Aid of Nebraska (LAN) Beginning Farmer and Ranchers Development Program (BFRDP) Standard Grant was to increase the number and enhance the sustainability of farm and ranch enterprises in Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming and the eastern Colorado StrikeForce area. The project provided education and skills to beginning farmers and ranchers with focused outreach to returning veterans; deliver business succession planning to beginning farmers and ranchers engaged in transition with established landowners; and provided information for beginning farmers interested in small-scale, direct marketing operations. The project addressed the following Priority Topics for Standard Grants: 1) financial and risk management training (including the acquisition and management of agricultural credit); 2)  diversification and marketing strategies; 3) assisting beginning farmers and ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers; and 4) agricultural rehabilitation and vocational training for veterans.

Program Need: The target audience included all Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and eastern Colorado transitioning landowners, beginning farmers and ranchers and prospective beginning farmers and ranchers, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. LAN will provide additional outreach to veteran farmers and ranchers in this region. For over 45 years, LAN has worked with a diverse range of farmers and ranchers including disadvantaged, underserved, and veteran groups and has the experience and expertise to address their concerns.
Since the early 1980’s, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado have experienced a dramatic decline in the numbers of beginning farmers and ranchers and an increase in the number of landowners over the age of 65. According to the 2012 US Census on Agriculture, in these states, the number of operators age 65+ is at least triple the number of operators age 35 or under.