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About the BFC Page 1 of 2 <br />k �9 g Farmer Center <br />History Staff Objectives Future Plans <br />A History <br />The Iowa Legislature created the Beginning Farmer Center in 1994. The Center is a part of <br />Iowa State University Extension. The idea for a Beginning Farmer Center developed from a <br />series of discussions with Legislators, Extension personnel, and others concerning what <br />could be done to encourage new farmers. These discussions led to the conclusion that it was <br />necessary to have a center to focus exclusively on the needs and issues facing beginning <br />farmers. It was also determined that this Center should facilitate the matching of beginning <br />farmers with existing farmers who wanted to transition their farm businesses to the next <br />generation. <br />The law creating the Center is set out in Chapter 266 of the Code of Iowa and provides, in <br />part, that the Center "shall... assist in facilitating the transition of farming operations from <br />established farmers to beginning farmers ". The law also provides that the Center is to <br />develop "models to increase the number of family farming operations in this state ". To meet <br />these mandates the Center has funded a variety of programs, publications and research <br />efforts. <br />A Staff <br />Michael D. Duffy, Professor in Charge <br />ISU Department of Economics <br />560C Heady <br />Ames, Iowa 50011 -1070 <br />Office: 515 -294 -6160 <br />E -Mail: mduffy @iastate.edu <br />http://www.econ.iastate.edu/faculty/du <br />John R. Baker, Attorney at Law <br />Beginning Farmer Center Administrator <br />10861 Douglas Ave Suite B <br />Urbandale, Iowa 50322 <br />Office: 515- 331 -8900 <br />E -Mail: jrbaker@iastate.edu <br />A The Center's Objectives <br />Coordinate education programs and services for beginning farmer efforts statewide. <br />Assess needs of beginning farmers and retiring farmers. <br />Develop, coordinate, and deliver targeted education to beginning and retiring farm <br />families. <br />http : / /www. extension .iastate.eduibfc /about.html 1 /14 /03 <br />