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Fortenberry bill seeks to get young into farming

Story Created: Oct 28, 2011 at 3:29 PM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 28, 2011 at 3:29 PM CDT

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) _ Congressman Jeff Fortenberry has
co-authored legislation that seeks to encourage more young people
to get into farming and ranching.

The Nebraska Republican and Minnesota Democrat Rep. Tim Walz
have introduced the measure, dubbed the Beginning Farmer and
Rancher Opportunity Act of 2011.

Walz and Fortenberry are both members of the House Agriculture
Committee.

Fortenberry says the average age of the American farmer
continues to increase and is now at 57. He says it has become
critical for ``the well-being of rural America that young people
engage in farming and agricultural entrepreneurship.''

The measure would, among other things, provide beginning farmers
and ranchers with improved access to USDA savings and loan
programs.

Fortenberry's office says companion legislation will be
introduced in the U.S. Senate in the coming weeks.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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