03/15/07 YFR; financial help please

CHINN "We all know we're not going to grow any more land out here." That's why it's so tough for young farmer and ranchers to get a start. I'm Bill Scott. Back in a minute. Each year the American Farm Bureau takes a survey of its Young Farmers and Ranchers. Asked what steps might be more helpful YFR's national chairman Chris Chinn says respondents chose financial help and property owner protections. CHINN "It's hard to find the land and once you do find the land coming up with the money for it that's just the second obstacle. So I think if we had some more beginning farmer loans, more assistance programs for young farmers to get started we would see an increase." 30 percent of those surveyed say they started their farm or ranch operation on their own. CHINN "I think it's a good surprise. I think it shows that young people are even more determined to get a start and they're willing to take the risk and find new ways to do it." One area that has hit all farmers and ranchers is the cost of health care. CHINN "It's hard for them to be able to afford it so they go to town and find a job that will provide them some health insurance that helps pay part of that insurance premium. I mean it's a huge risk to be living out here without health insurance." Chinn says another problem is urbanization and we're seeing that in many parts of Idaho. It's easier for a farmer and rancher to sell to a developer and get top dollars than to sell his land to a young farmer at a much lower price. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott