WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representatives Joe Courtney (CT-02) and Glenn "GT" Thompson (PA-15) introduced the Young Farmer Success Act, a bipartisan bill that would help America's young farmers manage their student loan debt by making them eligible for the newly rejuvenated Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The Young Farmer Success Act represents an important effort in preserving America's agricultural economy, and it was introduced along with original co-sponsors Reps. Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-At-large), and Peter Welch (VT-At-large).
To address today's critical shortfall
of skilled beginning farmers, the Young Farmer Success Act would incentivize careers in agriculture by adding them to the PSLF program, which currently includes public service workers like teachers, nurses, first responders, and others. As the program stands now, a young farmer would see the balance of their student loans forgiven after making 10 years of income-based payments. Farmers' work is critical to maintaining America's food supply, and they deserve to be part of the PSLF program. Learn more about the bill today at a 1:00pm virtual press conference—see more below.
"As we prepare for a world with increasingly unpredictable stresses on our environment, the ability to source food locally or regionally will become even more important," said Susan Mitchell, Founder and Owner of Cloverleigh Farm in Columbia, CT. "There are many people interested in producing food for their local communities but are unable to get a business off the ground because their student loan debt prevents them from accessing loans to purchase a farm property or capital to grow a business."
"Since the PSLF overhaul, we've seen nearly 1,000 new public service workers in Connecticut have over $55 million in student loan balances forgiven—our farmers serve such important roles for our country, and they deserve to be part of that group," said Rep. Courtney. "America needs a new generation of farmers now more than ever. Our number of small farms is on the decline, and the average age of American farmers is rising. There's no doubt that experience is crucial for any farming business, but when the number of U.S. farmers over 65 outnumbers those under 35 by 6-to-1, that's a trend we need to reverse. Susan Mitchell of Cloverleigh Farm in Connecticut has been the driving force behind this bill. She knows how student loan debt can hold a beginning farmer back from crucial investments in things like farming equipment, and our bipartisan bill would take some of that weight off their balance sheets during the costly phases of opening a new farming business. The Young Farmer Success Act would give America's new farming generation a fighting chance to build a life on the farm for themselves and their families."
"The average age of a farmer in the United States is 57.5 years-old. We must encourage our youth to enter the agriculture workforce and cultivate the next generation of farmers and ranchers," Rep. Thompson said. "Without adequate farm and ranch workers, our country will lose the ability to provide safe and affordable food to our citizens and the world. The Young Farmer Success Act will offer incentives for individuals who want to work in agriculture, enhancing both our national security and the long-term viability of our nation."
"Crushing student loan debt continues to block opportunities for young people to succeed—especially in farming," said Rep. Hayes. "The Young Farmer Success Act will provide farmers in Connecticut and nationwide with much-needed financial relief and inspire new farmers to pursue careers in agriculture. Furthermore, by encouraging more young Americans to begin farming, we will strengthen local food systems and support rural communities. I thank Congressman Courtney for his leadership in improving the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and finding solutions to open opportunities for young farmers."
"I thank Congressman Courtney and Congresswoman Hayes for their attention to the challenges facing the future of agriculture. At nearly every farm visit, the issue of labor comes up—the need to attract young people to agriculture and to help them stay in agriculture," said Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. "This potential solution alleviates a major pain point for future farmers and opens a door to a career that can be rewarding and successful, not only personally, but for the community at large."
"Agricultural production, in any of its many forms, is a challenging occupation in so many ways. While the tasks being done are different from farmers of years ago, today's farmers work long days, while putting everything they've got on the line to try to make their farming operation a success," Paul Larson, President of the Connecticut Farm Bureau Association, said. "The capital investment is often a significant barrier to new farmers and even to young farmers coming from a farming background. Connecticut Farm Bureau supports this effort to help alleviate a portion of the financial burden that new and beginning farmers typically face as they develop their farm business. The production of local, sustainable food is in our county's best interest, and the Young Farmer Success Act can play an important role in providing a safe and secure food supply for our nation.
The Young Farmer Success Act has drawn support from organizations representing farmers and ranchers nationwide, including the National Young Farmers Coalition, the International Fresh Product Association (IFPA), and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). Specifically, the bill would:
- Help America's Young Farmers Manage Their Student Loan Debt—The bill would add America's farmers, ranchers, and others who are actively engaged in farm work to the existing PSLF program. As it stands now, a young farmer would see the balance of their loans forgiven after 10 years of income-based payments. This would remove an enormous financial burden from young and beginner farmers, many who are in the beginning phases of opening their businesses, and would help attract more young Americans to farming, ranching, and other agriculture sector professions.
- Prioritize Americans Dedicated to Full-Time Farm Work—Importantly, to ensure that hobby farmers and other non-public servants are not eligible, the bill requires a qualified farm to earn a minimum of $35,000 in revenue for a young farmer to be eligible for loan forgiveness, and requires the student loan borrower to be engaged in farm work to be eligible. This simple policy will help encourage young people that attend college for agriculture to use those skills to begin farming.
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