History | Staff | Objectives | Future Plans

 History

The Iowa Legislature created the Beginning Farmer Center in 1994. The Center is a part of Iowa State University Extension. The idea for a Beginning Farmer Center developed from a series of discussions with Legislators, Extension personnel, and others concerning what could be done to encourage new farmers. These discussions led to the conclusion that it was necessary to have a center to focus exclusively on the needs and issues facing beginning farmers. It was also determined that this Center should facilitate the matching of beginning farmers with existing farmers who wanted to transition their farm businesses to the next generation.

The law creating the Center is set out in Chapter 266 of the Code of Iowa and provides, in part, that the Center "shall... assist in facilitating the transition of farming operations from established farmers to beginning farmers". The law also provides that the Center is to develop "models to increase the number of family farming operations in this state". To meet these mandates the Center has funded a variety of programs, publications and research efforts.

 Staff

	Michael D. Duffy, Director ISU Department of Economics 478E Heady Hall Ames, Iowa 50011-1070 Office: 515-294-6160 E-Mail: mduffy@iastate.edu http://www.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/duffy/
Picture coming soon	John R. Baker, Attorney at Law Beginning Farmer Center Administrator 10861 Douglas Ave Suite B Urbandale, Iowa 50322 Office: 515-252-7815 or 877-BFC-1999 Fax: 515-252-7828 E-Mail: jrbaker@iastate.edu
	David Baker, Farm Transition Specialist Beginning Farmer Center 10861 Douglas Ave. Suite B Urbandale, Iowa 50322 Office: 515-252-7814 or 877-BFC-1999 Fax: 515-252-7828 E-Mail: baker@iastate.edu http://www.extension.iastate.edu/bfc/dbaker.html

 The Center's Objectives

• Coordinate education programs and services for beginning farmer efforts statewide.
• Assess needs of beginning farmers and retiring farmers.
• Develop, coordinate, and deliver targeted education to beginning and retiring farm families.
• Provide programs and services that develop skills and knowledge in financial management and planning, legal issues, tax laws, technical production and management, leadership, sustainable agriculture, human health, the environment, and leadership.

 Future Plans for the Center

• Continue funding and support for the Farm On program that links beginning farmers with farmers desiring to transition their farms to the next generation.
• Continue funding and support for the Ag Link seminar for college juniors and seniors that will be returning to the family farm.
• Continue to support the individual farm financial analysis for beginning farmers through the Extension Farm Financial Planning Program.
• Develop a computer based version of the Farm Savvy transition manual.
• Conduct research to determine the factors that motivate farm business owners to transition their farm business to the next generation.
• Provide educational materials to beginning and exiting farmers through a variety of methods including the internet, seminars, and publications.

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