The Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 directed the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to report on the profitability and viability of beginning farmers and ranchers, defined as an operation in which operator(s) have no more than 10 years of experience as a farm or ranch operator. In 2017, 27% of all U.S. farm operations were operated by beginning producers. Recent reports highlight challenges that continue for beginning farm and ranch operations, including beginning farmers often reporting less farm income relative to established farms, challenges in securing sufficient credit from traditional sources so they can build successful businesses, and accessing Federal crop insurance.