Access to Farmland by Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers: Issues and Opportunities

Overview

The aging of the population of U.S. farmers, increasing concentration of farmland ownership, and competition for land from urban and environmental uses may have implications for land available for beginning or socially disadvantaged (SDA) producers. Beginning and SDA producers may have fewer financial resources or face other constraints when buying or otherwise accessing land to enter farming or expand their farm operation. This report examines factors influencing land access to beginning and SDA farmers using survey, census, and administrative data.