In 1987, when Congress voted to keep the Farm Credit System going with an infusion of funds, a contingency was that each of the system institutions needed to have a young, beginner and small farmer program. With the average age of the U.S. farmer pegged at 57.5 years, that young, beginner and small farmer program is a particular focus of the current chairman of the Farm Credit Administration.

In this episode, Feedstuffs  editor Jacqui Fatka talks with Farm Credit Administration Chairman and CEO Glen Smith, an Iowa farmer who has led the regulatory arm of the federal Farm Credit apparatus since 2017. Smith said he sees a common theme in successful young and beginning farmer programs: a good relationship with the Farm Service Agency (FSA), in particular with regard to access to that agency’s guaranteed loan programs for beginning farmers.

RELATED STORY: FSA, Farm Credit Administration refocus on younger farmers

This episode is sponsored by Hog Slat; from cleanup to startup, we're here to supply the products you need.  As close as your local Hog Slat store or order online at www.hogslat.com. 

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