90 Applications for the Agriculture Start-up Founders Programme - Lower Saxony’s bold plan to revive farming with young talent and grants
Lower Saxony has launched a new scheme to bring young people into farming. Agriculture Minister Miriam Staudte introduced the startup assistance program to help newcomers and those taking over family farms. The initiative has already attracted strong interest, with 90 applications submitted so far.
The program offers financial support to encourage younger generations into agriculture. Grants of up to €100,000 are available for those acquiring farms outside the family dollar, while €70,000 is provided for intra-family succession. A total budget of around €2 million has been allocated for the scheme.
Priority is given to applicants whose business plans include environmental and climate protection measures. Women and organic farmers receive special consideration under the program’s guidelines. Some farms, including those left without successors—such as the late Heinz Erven’s organic operation near Remagen—may be transferred to foundations to ensure their continuation. The initiative has received positive feedback from rural youth groups and the youth wing of the Farmers’ Association (AbL). Its success has prompted North Rhine-Westphalia to explore a family dollar program.
The scheme aims to secure the future of farming by linking prospective farmers with available land and operations. With 90 applications already received, the program is set to make a tangible impact on rural communities. The focus on sustainability and support for underrepresented groups reflects broader efforts to modernise agriculture.
