Name: Surviving or Thriving? Helping Beginning Farmers Start, Scale and Withstand Risk
Start: 2026-09-23T09:00:00-0600
End: 2026-09-23T10:30:00-0600

Surviving or Thriving? Helping Beginning Farmers Start, Scale and Withstand Risk

Wednesday September 23, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am MDT

Fireplace

This session is focused on ways that USDA is supporting beginning farmers and ranchers to aid in the viability and profitability of their operations. Findings from a recent USDA Economic Research Service study focusing on the characteristics associated with business survival of BFR operations will be shared. Among other things, the study found that BFRs who participated in USDA programs had a higher survival rate. Programs that contribute to this success will be explained throughout the presentation. Additionally, we’ll talk about the USDA staff who stand ready to support the needs of producers as they are beginning or scaling their operations. Moderated by Janet Wright, FSA Outreach Specialist, in partnership with other agencies, with ERS presenting highlights from the report on Beginning Farmer and Rancher Operations: Characteristics Associated With Business Survival.

Speakers

Sean Patrick

Tribal Liaison and Deputy Director of Risk Management Education, FPAC - RMA

Carrie Litkowski

Farm Income Team Lead, USDA-ERS

Carrie is a senior economist at USDA’s Economic Research Service. As the Farm Income team leader, she is responsible for planning, leading, and implementing an estimation, research, and analysis program focused on the development and dissemination of sector-wide measures of farm... Read More →

Janet Wright

National Outreach Specialist, FPAC-FSA

Janet Wright is a national Outreach Specialist with the USDA Farm Service Agency. In this role, she coordinates outreach and training events for beginning farmers and ranchers to assist them in starting and expanding their ag businesses through participation in USDA programs. She... Read More →

Wednesday September 23, 2026 9:00am - 10:30am MDT
Fireplace

Business Planning and Development, Agricultural Policy and Advocacy

Tickets

Success you have shared X tickets.

National Farm Viability Conference

Sean Patrick

Carrie Litkowski

Janet Wright

Attendees (2)

Get help with the event

Success you have shared X tickets.

National Farm Viability Conference

Sean Patrick

Carrie Litkowski

Janet Wright

Attendees (2)

Sign up or log in to save this to your schedule, view media, leave feedback and see who's attending!

Get help with the event