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Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree joined fellow House Agriculture Committee member Brad Finstad (MN-01) in reintroducing the bipartisan Agriculture Skills Preparation for Industry Recruitment Efforts (ASPIRE) Act. A companion bill was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN).

This comprehensive legislation establishes an agriculture workforce-training program within the USDA’s existing Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program—providing resources for eligible schools to grow the agriculture industry, boost competitiveness, and strengthen workforce training and retention. The bill also supports apprenticeships, internships, and partnerships with local agricultural businesses, creating pathways to pursue higher education or the private farming sector.

 
“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." 

“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.” 

“Agriculture is the backbone of Minnesota’s diverse economy,” said Sen. Smith. “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.

Congresswoman Pingree, a longtime organic farmer, is a member of both the House Agriculture Committee and House Appropriations Agriculture Subcommittee, and is Co-Chair of the House Organic Caucus. 

Since coming to Congress in 2009, Pingree has distinguished herself as a strong supporter of organic and sustainable agriculture, authoring the landmark Agriculture Resilience Act, which sets a bold vision of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in U.S. agriculture by 2040. As the only House Agriculture Committee member who has on-the-ground experience as an organic farmer, Pingree is a voice for small family farmers and local agriculture producers during Farm Bill negotiations. Because of her leadership, the 2018 Farm Bill more than doubled funding for organic research, created the first federal produce prescription program, and created the local agriculture market program with permanent federal funding.