USDA Report Explores Issues and Opportunities of Land Access

USDA Economic Research Service compiled a report to Congress, titled Access to Farmland by Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers: Issues and Opportunities. The report notes that beginning farms—those operated by farmers who have operated a farm or ranch for 10 years or less—as well as farms managed by operators defined by USDA as socially disadvantaged—based on race, ethnicity, or gender—may have fewer financial resources and those that do face additional constraints when buying or raising capital for expansion. The study found that beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers had smaller leases and less cropland. It found that these farmers appear to have access to federal loan and conservation programs, but are less likely to participate in crop insurance than other farmers.