Maine
Kate Turcotte, Maine Field Agent
On a gorgeous summer evening at the end of July, a small group of farmers gathered to hear the story of how Krysten Powell started Suncatcher Flower Farm in Brunswick, Maine. She farms two acres of certified organic flowers on land leased from Crystal Springs Farm and owned by Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust. The workshop was organized by MOFGA as part of their Farmer Training Project, and Land for Good participated as a resource for those interested to learn more about leasing opportunities in Maine. Krysten told her story about the process of finding land to lease, provided tips and recommendations for communicating with the landowners, and the benefits of leasing from another working farmer. Additionally, the group discussed methods of conducting a land search, the importance of a well-written lease, and why leasing land can benefit farmers, especially in the start-up phase.
In late July, Land For Good offered a farm and business succession planning training for the Maine Dairy Leadership Cohort. Funded by the Northeast Dairy Business Innovation Center, the group is made up of dairy farmers, value-added producers, and cheesemakers who participate in a 20-month training program on topics such as pasture management, financial management, and sales & marketing, and includes a small stipend for the participants. The training covered an overview of the seven steps of the farm transfer process, work centered around the Where Do I Start: Farm Succession Planning workbook, and a question-and-answer session with subject matter experts including a lawyer specializing in estate planning and the director of the Maine Agricultural Mediation Association. While farm succession planning can feel daunting and time-consuming, there are many great resources and service providers to support this process in Maine and our region.
For more tips on succession planning, listen to the recent interview at Maine Farmcast episode 9 to hear Kate Turcotte, our Maine Field Agent, explain how to get started, where to find resources, and watch for a Farm Succession School coming to Maine this winter. Thanks to Dr. Glenda Pereira, Assistant Extension Professor and State Dairy Specialist, University of Maine Extension, for the conversation.
New Hampshire
Kali Lucey, New Hampshire Field Agent
Kali Lucey, our New Hampshire Field Agent, is working with NH Food Alliance and others across the state to write a brief on “Farmland Conservation, Access, and Succession” for the NH Food and Agriculture Strategic Plan. Land For Good was selected to represent this issue and act as lead author on the brief. We are grateful for the chance to influence policy, aid philanthropic decisions, influence investments in infrastructure, and more.
Land For Good participated in the NH Food Alliance’s strategy retreat held earlier this year. The retreat brought together 42 network members to begin the process of developing the strategic plan. This first step involved brainstorming issues, solutions, and experts to include in the plan. It was also an opportunity for networking and nurturing the relationships between various stakeholders in the NH Food System. The goal is for this plan to be released and shared widely by January 2025.
Massachusetts
Jae Silverman, Massachusetts Field Agent
Berkshire County is faced with an aging farmer population and a lack of succession, business, and transition planning, coupled with consistently high and rising land values, land insecurity, and ever-present and increasing development pressures. Jae Silverman, our Massachusetts Field Agent, has been co-hosting a multi-year workshop series with American Farmland Trust on Planning for the Future of Your Farmland in Berkshire County. The final workshop in the series will take place September 5th at the Guthrie Center in partnership with the Great Barrington Agricultural Commission. Hear from Balsam Hill Farm, American Farmland Trust, Land For Good, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, MA Department of Agricultural Resources, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, Farm Credit East, and Gail Garrett Law. Dinner will be provided. Advance registration is required.
According to AFT’s research, over 80% of the agricultural land in Berkshire County is not permanently protected.
“Young, next-generation, and aspiring farmers are being priced out of homes and farmland, while many long-established farms–especially dairy farms which make up nearly a quarter of the state’s dairy economy and utilize nearly a quarter of Berkshire County’s agricultural land, including rented land–face uncertainty. These compounding challenges threaten the region’s rich agricultural resources and local food security.”
Vermont
Mike Ghia, Vermont Field Agent
Exactly one year after flooding ravaged Vermont, we once again saw emergency harvests, farms under water, damaged farm vehicles and buildings, and washed-out roads. Dozens of vegetable and fruit farms between Burlington and St. Johnsbury were flooded last month, suffering moderate to severe damage to fields and infrastructure. Some farms have catastrophic losses. We continue to share news about recovery resources as our farmers work to get back to growing.
How to help: Donate directly to organizations set up to assist farmers through their recovery, like the NOFA-VT Farmer Emergency Fund, the Intervale Farmer Recovery Fund, or New Farms for New Americans.
Connecticut
Will O’Meara, Connecticut Field Agent
Historic flooding once again impacted Connecticut this summer. Reports of 10+ inches in less than 5 hours in some parts of the state washed away farm access roads, left fields underwater, and damaged infrastructure. Farmers needing assistance can find disaster resources at portal.ct.gov/disaster and fill out a flood loss and damage survey.
As a young, first-generation farmer, Will O’Meara has experienced a multitude of challenges related to real estate and land access. American Farmland Trust (AFT) recently connected with our Connecticut Field Agent and co-owner of Hungry Reaper Farm about his farmland access journey and the critical role that Option to Purchase at Agricultural Value (OPAV) could play in overcoming obstacles to securing access to land in Connecticut.
Pictured: Hungry Reaper Farm co-owners Will O’Meara (left) and Jill Verzino (center), alongside Farm Manager Enya Cunningham.
In the face of stiff competition and impending farmland transitions, OPAV emerges as a lifeline for Connecticut’s farmers. The adoption of this forward-thinking tool could be a catalyst for preserving farmland, empowering young and beginning farmers, improving farmland access, and cultivating a viable future for Connecticut’s agricultural landscape.
“Will’s experience as a beginning farmer unites him with a cohort of young, beginning, and BIPOC producers who are struggling to find secure farmland access to continue farming and grow their businesses. “OPAV is a unique tool that can truly address this barrier and make farmland more accessible for all future generations of producers.”
Read more about OPAV’s Role in Farmland Affordability and Preservation in Connecticut on AFT’s blog.
Rhode Island/ Massachusetts
Deanna Levanti, Southeastern New England Field Agent
Towns play an important part in ensuring land remains available for future generations of farmers. Local policies make a big difference in whether farms succeed or fail. Together with Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership (SEMAP) and American Farmland Trust (AFT), Land For Good presented a webinar to municipalities on ways to support farmers at the town level.
Attendees representing town government, land trusts, farmers, and service providers discussed reasons to protect farmland, increasing pressure from development, and the high cost per acre in Massachusetts which create access and affordability challenges for entering farmers and stifle succession efforts for the retiring generation. Land For Good provided suggestions on ways to support farmers at the town level, for example adopting a Right to Farm By-law and establishing an Agricultural Commission. AFT provided some background on farmland preservation, discussing temporary preservation tools like the state’s Current Use Tax Program (61A) and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Farm Viability Enhancement Program, and then delved into permanent preservation tools. They described a conservation restriction, emphasizing ag-friendly terms and provided an overview of funding sources including MDAR’s Agricultural Preservation Restriction Program, Natural Resources Conservation Service’s ALE-ACEP funding, and opportunities with Community Preservation Act. Then we jumped into a brief discussion of what towns can do once they have preserved farmland, including sell or lease it to a farmer. We ended the session with brief case studies, highlighting several well-known farms located on land which was preserved in partnership on a town level. This webinar exemplified the type of cooperation we engage when towns work to protect farmland.
Watch the webinar Protecting and Promoting Farmland in Your Town
These compounding challenges threaten the region’s rich agricultural resources and local food security.
