H.R. 4657, the Next Generation Farmer Act, reduces barriers for young and beginning farmers to access federal farm ownership loans by lowering the required farming experience from three years to one year. The bill also allows the Secretary of Agriculture to waive even this one-year requirement for qualified beginning farmers who have relevant experience as hired farm laborers with management responsibilities or who have established mentoring relationships with experienced farmers, retired farmers, or farm organizations approved by the Department of Agriculture. This legislation is designed to help the next generation enter farming and ranching by making it easier to qualify for crucial startup loans. The bill has no specified funding or sunset date and applies to anyone seeking USDA farm ownership loans through the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act program.