WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Chellie Pingree (ME-01), both members of the House Agriculture Committee, introduced the bipartisan Agriculture Skills Preparation for Industry Recruitment Efforts (ASPIRE) Act. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN).  

The ASPIRE ACT: 

• Establishes an agriculture workforce training program within the USDA’s existing Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program;
• Provides resources for eligible schools to grow the agricultural industry, boost competitiveness, and strengthen workforce training and retention, and;
• Supports apprenticeships, internships, and partnerships with local agriculture businesses, creating pathways to pursue higher education or the private farming sector.

“As a farmer, and a father raising the fifth generation on our family farm, I understand just how critical it is to ensure our future agricultural leaders are fully prepared with the tools they need to thrive,” said Rep. Finstad. “I’m proud to help introduce the ASPIRE Act with Congresswoman Pingree and Senator Smith, which will give those starting in the agricultural profession a solid foundation by facilitating relationships between local agricultural businesses and incoming industry leaders through work-based training programs.” 

“In Maine and across America, small family farms are the backbone of our rural communities and local food systems. But as more farmers near retirement and fewer young people enter the field, we’re staring down a serious challenge: Who will grow our food in the decades ahead? Our bipartisan ASPIRE Act offers a solution," said Rep. Chellie Pingree (ME-01). "By expanding hands-on apprenticeships and internships through USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, the ASPIRE Act will connect aspiring farmers with experienced agricultural businesses, building clear pathways into farming careers and giving the next generation the tools to succeed. When we invest in the next generation of farmers, we're investing in our future: fresh local food, vibrant rural communities, and agricultural traditions that have sustained us for generations."

"Agriculture is the backbone of Minnesota’s diverse economy,” said Sen. Tina Smith (D-MN). "To keep Minnesota’s agriculture economy thriving, we need to continue to invest in the next generation of farmers as the average age of farmers keeps going up. There is more we can be doing to help future farmers fill their shoes. This legislation will provide work-based training programs to support a new generation of farmers and ranchers in Minnesota and around the country.”

Background:  
By 2030, the agriculture sector is only expected to grow two percent – lower than the average across other industries. Additionally, the average age of workers in the agriculture industry is climbing, and not enough younger workers are filling their shoes. Farmers under the age of 35 now make up only 9% of the agriculture workforce. In Minnesota, agriculture industry apprenticeships make up just 1% of the available apprenticeships.