The aging of Oregon’s farmers and ranchers has spurred a proposal to help recruit the next generation of growers through stipends, scholarships and loan repayments subsidies.

Under House Bill 2730, the Oregon Department of Agriculture would provide qualified applicants with several forms of financial assistance through a “beginning farmer and rancher incentive program.”

The proposal is meant to address the economic challenges that stand in the way of prospective careers in agriculture, including the costs of education, said Rep. Court Boice, R-Gold Beach.

“These aspiring farmers are just as vulnerable to the plight of student debt as those with other majors or pursuing other careers,” Boice said during a recent legislative hearing.

The ODA would set the criteria for who is eligible for the program and impose financial penalties on those who don’t comply with conditions. The agency would also enter into agreements with universities, community colleges and other entities that provide agricultural training.

An amendment to the bill would appropriate $400,000 to a dedicated fund from which the stipends, scholarships and subsidies would be disbursed.

The state fund would complement a similar incentive program for beginning farmers and ranchers operated by the USDA, which provides grants for agricultural education and technical assistance about agronomy, finances and legal issues, according to supporters.

Nick Gambardella, a proponent of HB 2730, said such incentives would have provided a welcome leg up during his early days as a beekeeper in Linn County.

While providing pollination services to growers, Gambardella said he’s seen firsthand the succession problems facing Oregon’s agriculture industry.

“Most of the farmers I encounter are double my age and their children don’t want any part of the business or farming in general,” he said.

The average age of Oregon’s 70,000 farmers and ranchers is 58.6 years, which has risen from 50.4 years over the past four decades, according to USDA’s Census of Agriculture.

The proposal would offer some relief to farmers who are having a hard time getting started or staying in business due to the state’s “punitive regulations” on agriculture, according to the Oregon Seed Council.

“This program will help add a tool in the toolbox of identifying new farmers who have developed a passion for the industry and wish to be stewards of the land,” said Megan Chuinard, the council’s executive director, in written testimony.