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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted:	June 6, 2019 05:56 PM
From:	Representative Mark Rozzi
To:	All House members
Subject:	Student Loan Forgiveness for Beginning Farmers Act

Agriculture is the leading industry in Pennsylvania, but as farmers age and retire at an alarming rate, we need to attract a new generation of farmers and help them succeed in a capital-intensive career when they are saddled by student loan debt. Just as we've provided incentives for young people to enter the medical, education and other careers, we can take steps to recruit new farmers by offering a student loan forgiveness program tailored to the agricultural profession. Eligibility requirements include having graduated and obtained a degree from an approved college, university or graduate school; have an outstanding student loan debt from obtaining such degree; operate a farm or component of a farm in the Commonwealth on a full-time basis; and agree to operate the farm for no less than five years. Awards would be made on a competitive basis with special consideration for economically or historically disadvantaged applicants. Applicants would be required to recertify every year. No one applicant shall receive more than fifty thousand dollars upon the end of a five year period. Please join me in co-sponsoring this measure to sustain and grow the high priority occupation of farming in Pennsylvania.

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