The U. S. Department of Agriculture has awarded the University of Kentucky (UK) College of Agriculture a $561,000 grant for KyFarmStart, its comprehensive training program for beginning farmers and those who are considering careers in farming.

At the recent Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced more than $18 million in grants through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program to programs in 24 states.

"In the past few decades, U.S. agriculture has become the second most productive sector of the American economy, thanks to farmers adopting technology, reducing debt, and effectively managing risk," Vilsack said. "These grants will help beginning farmers and ranchers overcome the unique challenges they face and gain knowledge and skills that will help them become profitable and sustainable."

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program makes grants to organizations that implement education, training, technical assistance, and outreach programs to help beginning farmers and ranchers, specifically those who have been working in the field for 10 or fewer years