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Starting Out in Sustainable AgricultureSubmitted by Jeremy on October 31, 2008 - 12:06am
http://attra.ncat.org/newsletter/attranews_1008.html Starting Out in Sustainable AgricultureNew farmers and ranchers today have access to a tremendous number of resources to help them with planning, securing land, and making a success of their operation. A few states and counties even provide special aid and enticements to encourage new farmers to settle within their borders. This issue of ATTRAnews looks at some of the ways beginning farmers and ranchers can find a place and learn to run it. In this issue: ================ Advice to New FarmersDavid Sturman mowing hay this summer with his team of Belgians in St. Ignatius, Montana. Photo courtesy of Tracy Mumma. Tracy Mumma, NCAT Program Specialist
Tracy Mumma, her husband David Sturman, and their two children live and farm in Montana with the help of their Amish neighbors. New Farmers Wanted Some states and counties are doing their best to attract new farmers or to promote organic agriculture. In northwest Iowa, for example, a majority of farmers are past the normal age of retirement. Woodbury County has embarked on a program to bring in new farmers, especially those interested in organic production and entrepreneurship. The county is basing its economic development on the creation of small family farms, organic processing, and local food systems. In 2005 the county enacted an Organics Conversion Policy that rebates 100 percent of real property taxes for five years to farms that transition to organic production. The policy also commits to finding a market for local organic products, along with financing and educational resources and the counsel of experienced organic farmers. In 2006 Woodbury County adopted the first mandatory Local Food Purchase Policy in the nation. www.woodburyorganics.com Marathon County in north central Wisconsin sponsors the U Can Farm program, inviting farmers and farm businesses to put down roots. The program’s Agribusiness Incubator offers technical assistance for beginning and experienced farmers who want to be part of the local grazing and dairy economy. Contact Tom Cadwallader, Lincoln/Marathon County Extension, 715-536-0304, thomas.cadwallader@ces.uwex.edu. www.ucanfarm.org Pennsylvania Center for Farm Transitions helps beginning, retiring, and relocating farmers as well as those who want to change or expand their operations. The center works to assure the future of agriculture in the state. Toll-free telephone: 877-475-2686. www.iplantofarm.com Linking New Farmers with Retiring Farmers The average age of American farmers is nearing 60. The nation needs more young farmers. The National Farm Transition Network fosters the next generation of farmers and ranchers by introducing them to experienced producers who are ready to retire. More than 20 independent organizations belong to the network, representing California, Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Each of these Farm Link or Land Link groups has its own methods and priorities. To find the organization near you, contact network coordinator John Baker, rbaker@iastate.edu, or check the network Web site, www.farmtransition.org. Resources for Beginning Farmers Antonio Roman-Alcala farms at San Francisco’s Alemany Farm. He is a native of the district, which is bordered by busy freeways. www.thegreenhorns.net Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network runs a Farmer-to- Farmer Program that links experienced farmer-mentors with beginning growers. The program requires new farmers to pass on what they have learned to others. For more information, call 256-520-2400. www.asanonline.org/mentorprogram.htm Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project supports farmers and rural communities in the mountains of western North Carolina and the southern Appalachians with education, mentoring, promotion, and community and policy development. For more information: 828-236-1282. www.asapconnections.org Carolina Farm Stewardship Association provides “farm incubators”—educational farms where new growers can lease a parcel of land and gain access to equipment and advanced knowledge without having to buy it. The program also offers business planning assistance. Contact Bryan Green, 919-451-9804, busha_tierra@hotmail.com. www.carolinafarmstewards.org/projects.shtml The Food To Bank On program connects beginning sustainable farms in northwest Washington with training, mentors and market support while providing fresh high-quality food to Whatcom County’s hungry. Contact Shonie Schlotzhauer, 360-647-7093, x106, Shonie@sustainableconn ections.org. www.sconnect.org/foodfarming/ Food%20To%20Bank%20On Georgia Organics’ Farmer Mentoring & Marketing program teams established farmers with new farmers to transfer knowledge and expertise in sustainable growing. The program provides in-depth workshops and training in production, marketing, and financial planning. For more information, call 678-702-0400. www.georgiaorganics.org/about_us/programs_projects.php Idaho-Rural Roots supports sustainable and organic agriculture and community-based food systems in the Inland Northwest. Their Cultivating Success™ Program provides beginning and existing farmers with the planning and decision- making tools, production skills and support necessary to develop a sustainable small farm. www.cultivatingsuccess.org The Intervale Center of Burlington, Vermont offers two programs for new farmers. The Intervale Farms Program leases land and facilities to small organic enterprises and provides technical support with other more experienced farmers. Success on Farms works one-on-one with state farmers to strengthen their businesses. For more information, call 802-660-0440. www.intervale.org Iowa Beginning Farmer Center coordinates education programs and services for beginning farmer and retiring farmers. The center helps farm families develop skills in financial management and planning, legal issues, tax laws, technical production, leadership, sustainable agriculture, health, and the environment. Call 877-232-1999 or e-mail bfc@iastate.edu. www.extension.iastate.edu/bfc Land Stewardship Project sponsors Farm Beginnings classes each fall in Minnesota, Illinois, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Wisconsin In the winter participants learn goal setting, financial planning, marketing, and sustainable farming techniques from established farmers and other professionals. In spring and summer participants work with specific farmers and attend farm field days. For more information, call 651-653-0618. www.landstewardshipproject.org/farmbeg.html Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association operates a Journeyperson Program with hands-on, mentored training to help farmers find land and a situation where they can develop their business. The association also offers a Farmer-in- Residence Program at the 250-acre Common Ground Education Center in Unity, Maine. Contact Andy Marshall, amarshall@mofga.org, 207-568-4142. www.mofga.org Minnesota Food Association’s New Immigrant Farmer Project provides training for new immigrants and aspiring farmers in gardening, micro-farming, production farming, marketing, and land use planning. For more information, call 651-433-3676. www.mnfoodassociation.org/newimmigrant.aspx New England Small Farm Institute offers information and training for aspiring, beginning, and transitioning farmers. Their Growing New Farmers program in Belchertown, Mass. provides services and resources for new farmers throughout the Northeast. For more information, call 413-323-4531. www.smallfarm.org, www.growingnewfarmers.org New Entry Sustainable Farming Project helps immigrants and others with agricultural backgrounds to begin commercial agricultural enterprises in Massachusetts. Contact Jennifer Hashley, 617-636-3793, jennifer.hashley@tufts.edu. www.nesfp.org National Immigrant Farming Initiative operates several programs for new farmers. New Farmer Development Project educates and supports immigrants in New York City with agricultural experience to become local producers and establish small farms in the region. Contact Michelle Hughes, 212-341-2256, mhughes@greenmarket.cc. www.immigrantfarming.org/index.php?page=New_Farmer_ Development_Project Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership is a nonprofit organization that helps local agricultural enterprises achieve economic success. They create demand for locally produced agricultural products and provide business education to local agricultural enterprises. Contact Sarah Kelley, 508-295- 2212x50, skelley@semaponline.org. www.semaponline.org USDA Farm Service Agency offers two financing programs for land purchase by beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers. The new Farm Bill provides for the Land Contract Guarantee Program and the Direct Farm Ownership Loan Program. The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Land Contract Guarantee Program was created because traditional methods of farm entry and farm succession are no longer adequate to meet current challenges. This pilot program will explore whether land contract sales are a viable alternative for beginning farmers and ranchers. The pilot program will be available in Indiana, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Iowa. For more information, contact the local Farm Service Agency office. www.fsa.usda.gov Is a Farm Business Right for You? Tammy Hinman, NCAT Program Specialist When you consider a rural enterprise, it’s vitally important to assess your goals, land, and resources. These considerations may help direct your research and save time and much needed energy for starting a new farm enterprise. Identify Your Own Personal Values
What Are Your Personal Goals and Vision for Your Property?
Assess Your Property
Stacy Bliss and John Brenner run a CSA on Broadturn Farm in Scarborough, Maine. www.thegreenhorns.net Market Assessment
Workbooks and Useful Resources
At Good Humus Produce in California, farmer Annie Main, far left, teaches students to appreciate what it takes to grow food. www.goodhumus.com Farming Alternatives: A Guide to Evaluating the Feasibility of New Farm- Based Enterprises. $8.00 + s&h from NRAES in New York state: 607-255-7654, nraes@cornell.edu. www.nraes.org From the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture—
Primer for Selecting New Enterprises for Your Farm, University of Kentucky. www.uky.edu/Ag/AgEcon/pubs/ext-aec/ ext2000-13.pdf A Sampling of ATTRA’s Publications to Help New Farmers In addition to the publications on this list, ATTRA offers hundreds more—for beginning and experienced producers—that provide general information and specific details about all aspects of sustainable and organic agriculture. They’re available to download for free from ATTRA’s Web site, www.attra.ncat.org, or call 1-800-346-9140 to order a free paper copy. Sustainable Farming Livestock Production Marketing & Business Management Pest Management Organic Production Specialty Crops Online Databases New & Updated Publications Where to Learn About Sustainable Farming Rodale Institute’s Farming for Credit Directory lists colleges and organizations that offer classroom programs and hands-on training in sustainable agriculture. www.rodaleinstitute.org/ffc_directory Educational and Training Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture is the 18th edition from the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center of the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, Maryland. For more information, call 301-504-6927. www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/edtr/EDTR2008.shtml Find Hands-On Experience Older farmers are often willing to share what they know with interested young people. Photo courtesy of USDA NRCS. NCAT’s Sustainable Farming Internships and Apprenticeships Database lists U.S. farms that are looking for interns and apprentices. Listings include detailed information about the farm and the situation being offered. www.attrainternships.ncat.org Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a cooperative effort of local organic and biodynamic farms organized to enhance educational opportunities for farm apprentices. Organic Volunteers. Find on-the-job learning opportunities in sustainable and organic agriculture by clicking on a map. www.growfood.org World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms offers an extensive international list of organic farms that welcome volunteer help. www.wwoof.org. Greenhorns Web Portals for Young Farmers Film-maker and farmer Severine Fleming is making a documentary film about the growing number of young people eager to supply fresh healthy food to local communities (see www.thegreenhorns.net). Inspired by those she meets, she has created a series of Web and blog sites for them, so they can see what their counterparts are doing all across the country. www.foryoungfarmers.wikispaces.com
=============================================== ATTRAnews is the bi-monthly newsletter of ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service. The newsletter is distributed free throughout the United States to farmers, ranchers, Cooperative Extension agents, educators, and others interested in sustainable agriculture. ATTRA is funded through the USDA Rural Business-Cooperative Service and is a project of the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), a private, non-profit organization that since 1976 has helped people by championing small-scale, local and sustainable solutions to reduce poverty, promote healthy communities, and protect natural resources. Teresa Maurer, Project Manager
Comments? Questions? Email the Weekly Harvest Newsletter editor Karen Van Epen at '); document.write('karenv@ncat.org'); // -->karenv@ncat.org. ATTRA - National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service
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