Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 004518
Apply for USDA NIFA BFR 004518
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.311 Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 7, 2014 and posted on Apr 11, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 12, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $19,200,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Applications may only be submitted by a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership of qualified public and/or private entities. These collaborations may include the following entities State Cooperative Extension Services Federal, State, or tribal agencies community based organizations nongovernmental organizations junior and four year colleges or universities or foundations maintained by a college or university private for profit organizations and other appropriate partners. Inclusion of beginning and/or non beginning farmers and ranchers as part of the collaborative group is strongly encouraged.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant program administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) that supports education and capacity-building efforts aimed at helping new and aspiring farmers and ranchers succeed. While beginning farmer education in the United States has long roots going back to the 1862 and 1890 Morrill Land Grant Acts, this program represents a more modern, dedicated federal investment focused specifically on the training, outreach, mentoring, and technical support needs of the next generation of agricultural producers. The core purpose is to strengthen the long-term sustainability of beginning farmers and ranchers by improving access to practical instruction, business and production skills, and supportive networks that help new entrants establish viable operations.
This opportunity was established through the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-234, Section 7410), which set aside $75 million across fiscal years 2009 through 2012 to develop and deliver these kinds of programs. Congress continued the commitment through the Agriculture Act of 2014, which provided an additional $20 million per year for fiscal years 2014 through 2018. The underlying policy motivation is straightforward: the average age of U.S. farmers has been increasing, there were projections of a decline in the number of farmers and ranchers (noted in the announcement as a projected decrease between 2008 and 2018), and there is broad recognition that traditional pathways into farming are not enough on their own. New and more targeted training models are needed to help people enter agriculture, stay in agriculture, and build operations that can endure economically and environmentally.
The specific grant listing referenced in the announcement is Funding Opportunity Number USDA-NIFA-BFR-004518 under CFDA 10.311, categorized as an agriculture grant and identified as a mandatory funding opportunity. The posting date was April 11, 2014, with an application closing date of June 12, 2014, an estimated total funding amount of $19.2 million for that cycle, and a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were expected to contribute non-federal resources or matching funds as part of the project budget structure. In practice, that matching requirement signals that NIFA wanted funded projects to have strong buy-in and shared investment from partners and communities rather than relying solely on federal dollars.
Eligibility is built around collaboration rather than single organizations applying alone. Applications could only be submitted by a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership made up of qualified public and/or private entities. The announcement explicitly lists the types of partners that may be included, such as State Cooperative Extension Services; federal, state, or tribal agencies; community-based organizations; nongovernmental organizations; junior colleges and four-year colleges or universities (including foundations maintained by a college or university); private for-profit organizations; and other appropriate partners. The program also strongly encourages including beginning and/or non-beginning farmers and ranchers within the collaborative group, which reflects an emphasis on real-world relevance, peer learning, and mentorship from experienced producers alongside the training of new entrants.
At a high level, a competitive BFRDP project typically centers on delivering education, training, outreach, and mentoring that are specifically designed for beginning farmers and ranchers and tailored to local or regional conditions. That can include practical production training, farm business management and planning, marketing and supply chain skills, risk management, land access education, and structured mentorship approaches that pair new producers with experienced operators. The program is oriented toward measurable capacity development, meaning the goal is not just to host events, but to build participant skills, confidence, and durable support systems that improve the likelihood of long-term success and continuity in U.S. agriculture.
For applicants or stakeholders who needed assistance accessing or preparing the application materials, the notice points to NIFA support resources, including the NIFA Help Desk at 202-401-5048 during standard business hours (Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays). This kind of support contact is typical for federal grant programs, especially those requiring electronic submissions and detailed application components.
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) FAQs
What is the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP)?
The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant program administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). It supports education and capacity-building efforts that help new and aspiring farmers and ranchers succeed through training, outreach, mentoring, and technical support.
What is the main purpose of BFRDP?
The core purpose is to strengthen the long-term sustainability of beginning farmers and ranchers by improving access to practical instruction, farm business and production skills, and supportive networks that help new entrants establish viable operations.
Why was this program created?
The program was created in response to concerns about the increasing average age of U.S. farmers, projections of a decline in the number of farmers and ranchers (noted as a projected decrease between 2008 and 2018), and the idea that traditional pathways into farming are not sufficient on their own. BFRDP reflects a targeted approach to help people enter agriculture, stay in agriculture, and build operations that can endure economically and environmentally.
Which federal agency administers BFRDP?
BFRDP is administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the legal authority behind BFRDP?
The opportunity was established through the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-234, Section 7410). Congressional support continued through the Agriculture Act of 2014.
How much funding was set aside when the program was established?
The 2008 legislation set aside $75 million across fiscal years 2009 through 2012 to develop and deliver beginning farmer and rancher education, training, outreach, and mentoring programs.
How was the program funded under the Agriculture Act of 2014?
The Agriculture Act of 2014 provided an additional $20 million per year for fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
What is the specific funding opportunity number referenced in this announcement?
The funding opportunity number referenced is USDA-NIFA-BFR-004518.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
This opportunity is listed under CFDA 10.311.
How is this grant categorized in the announcement?
It is categorized as an agriculture grant and is identified as a mandatory funding opportunity.
When was the opportunity posted?
The posting date in the announcement is April 11, 2014.
What was the application closing date for this cycle?
The application closing date listed is June 12, 2014.
What was the estimated total funding amount for the cycle described?
The estimated total funding amount for that cycle was $19.2 million.
Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
Yes. The announcement indicates a cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants were expected to contribute non-federal resources or matching funds as part of the project budget structure.
What does the matching requirement signal about what NIFA is looking for?
Based on the announcement description, the matching requirement signals that NIFA wanted funded projects to show strong buy-in and shared investment from partners and communities rather than relying solely on federal dollars.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applications could only be submitted by a collaborative state, tribal, local, or regionally based network or partnership made up of qualified public and/or private entities. The program is designed around collaboration rather than single organizations applying alone.
Does BFRDP allow a single organization to apply on its own?
No. The announcement emphasizes that eligibility is built around a collaborative network or partnership, not a single standalone applicant.
What kinds of organizations can be included in an eligible partnership?
The announcement lists possible partners such as State Cooperative Extension Services; federal, state, or tribal agencies; community-based organizations; nongovernmental organizations; junior colleges and four-year colleges or universities (including foundations maintained by a college or university); private for-profit organizations; and other appropriate partners.
Are farmers and ranchers expected to be part of the collaborative group?
The program strongly encourages including beginning and/or non-beginning farmers and ranchers within the collaborative group to support real-world relevance, peer learning, and mentorship.
What kinds of activities do competitive BFRDP projects typically support?
Competitive projects typically center on education, training, outreach, and mentoring specifically designed for beginning farmers and ranchers and tailored to local or regional conditions.
What topics can BFRDP-supported training cover?
Examples described include practical production training, farm business management and planning, marketing and supply chain skills, risk management, land access education, and structured mentorship approaches that pair new producers with experienced operators.
Is the program focused on one-time events or longer-term capacity building?
The program is oriented toward measurable capacity development. The stated aim is not just to host events, but to build participant skills, confidence, and durable support systems that improve the likelihood of long-term success.
What does "tailored to local or regional conditions" mean in this context?
In the context of the announcement, it means projects are generally designed to fit the realities of a particular state, tribal area, locality, or region, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach.
Where can applicants get help with accessing or preparing application materials?
The notice points applicants to NIFA support resources, including the NIFA Help Desk.
What is the NIFA Help Desk phone number and availability?
The NIFA Help Desk can be reached at 202-401-5048, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, excluding federal holidays.
What is the overall goal for the next generation of agricultural producers?
The overarching goal described is to help the next generation of agricultural producers establish viable operations by strengthening practical skills, business capacity, and supportive networks that contribute to continuity in U.S. agriculture.
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