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An evaluation of the federal Transition Incentives Program on land access for next-generation farmers

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  • Horst, Megan
  • Valliant, Julia
  • Freedgood, Julia

Abstract

Next-generation farmers face immense challenges in securing land. In recent years, some state- and federal-level land access policy incentives (LAPIs) have been implemented to address these chal­lenges. In this paper, we assess the Transition Incentives Program (TIP), an initiative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program that is funded by Congressional farm bills. TIP offers landowners two years of financial incen­tives for leasing or selling to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer or rancher (categories of farmers defined by the U.S. Department of Agri­culture). In our study, we characterize TIP partici­pants to understand where and how TIP assists beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. Our findings demonstrate that TIP serves some landowners and next-generation farmers, primarily in the Midwest and Mountain West. We demonstrate a spatial mismatch between where next-generation farmers live and high rates of TIP participation. Variable participation may be due to inconsistent outreach and limits to the program design. We identify key barriers and provide insights to improve TIP and other land access programs for next-generation farmers.

Suggested Citation

  • Horst, Megan & Valliant, Julia & Freedgood, Julia, 2024. "An evaluation of the federal Transition Incentives Program on land access for next-generation farmers," Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, Center for Transformative Action, Cornell University, vol. 13(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:joafsc:362855
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Calo, Adam & De Master, Kathryn Teigen, 2016. "After the Incubator: Factors Impeding Land Access Along the Path from Farmworker to Proprietor," Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, Center for Transformative Action, Cornell University, vol. 6(2).
    2. Callahan, Scott & Hellerstein, Daniel, 2022. "Access to Farmland by Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers: Issues and Opportunities," Amber Waves:The Economics of Food, Farming, Natural Resources, and Rural America, United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, vol. 2022(Administr), December.
    3. Megan Horst & Amy Marion, 2019. "Racial, ethnic and gender inequities in farmland ownership and farming in the U.S," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 36(1), pages 1-16, March.
    4. Valliant, Julia & Freedgood, Julia, 2020. "Land Access Policy Incentives: Emerging Approaches to Transitioning Farmland to a New Generation," Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, Center for Transformative Action, Cornell University, vol. 9(3).
    5. Callahan, Scott & Hellerstein, Daniel, "undated". "Access to Farmland by Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers: Issues and Opportunities," USDA Miscellaneous 333543, United States Department of Agriculture.
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