US Representative for Iowa’s Third District Zach Nunn is working with bipartisan aid to cut red tape at the US Department of Agriculture.

Nunn mentions that the Next Generation of Farmers Act works to help young farmers be able to purchase land, build their equity, and possibly keep family operations going for the next generation. He shares with Raccoon Valley Radio why it was important to introduce the bill.

“The simple reality is if we don’t act, the next generation of farmers, not only are not going to be farming, they’re going to be priced out of being able to start that farm. And too many young and first generation farmers are locked out of ownership, candidly by outdated rules at the federal level and through the US Department of Ag.”

Nunn mentions that the bill cuts the required amount of years of experience from three years to just one year, giving young farmers an opportunity at financing and taking the first step to farm ownership. He adds that it also provides credit for equivalent education or other relevant experience toward eligibility, and allows eligibility after six months when the USDA determines additional flexibility is needed.