Year: 2021
Farm Aid grant to strengthen New England farms
In working to build a thriving family farm-centered system of agriculture, Farm Aid also funds family farm and rural service organizations through an annual grant program. Farm Aid announced that it distributed nearly a million dollars in grant funding in 2021. In December 2021, Farm Aid granted $817,500 to 86 family farm, rural service and […]
Land For Good discusses land tenure and climate solutions with Bipartisan Policy Center’s Carbon Solutions Task Force
In our polarized political climate, it’s heartening to know that some policymakers are working together on climate issues. The Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) is a Washington, DC-based think tank that looks to promote policy ideas from both parties to advance “health, security and opportunity for all Americans.” BPC’s Farm and Forest Carbon Solutions Task Force […]
A dairy farm finds hope in a successful transfer to a new farmer
For retiring farmers, a farm transfer can take months, even years, to plan and complete. The transfer of John and Beth Haynes’ organic dairy farm took nearly seven years. Top: Haynes Dairy Farm located on Moody Hill in Claremont NH; 3rd generation dairy farmer John Haynes; new farmers Morgan and Baird Swift, and their son, […]
NH Farm Future Fund 2022 grant round launched
NH Association of Conservation Districts has announced it’s next grant round of the NH Farm Future Fund. The 2022 application cycle has opened! The mission of the NH Farm Future Fund is to provide funding for farm viability planning in concert with the conservation of important agricultural soils. This program will leverage the opportunity of […]
Massachusetts Take Action! Ensure an equitable food system recovery
Massachusetts Action Alert: This week the Massachusetts Senate Ways and Means Committee is drafting their version of the spending bill that will determine how federal Covid relief dollars will be spent in Massachusetts. We believe that the House bill could be improved upon so that relief funds do more to support our hard-hit food and farming […]
National Farm Viability Conference kicks off virtual event October 1st
This year’s National Farm Viability Conference, hosted by Oregon Tilth and Oregon State University’s Center for Small Farms and Community Food Systems, will feature an array of virtual programming throughout the month of October. Conference sessions will focus on strengthening farm sustainability, building more resilient local food systems and supporting the long term profitability of […]
Exiting farmers need attorneys and other service providers who specialize in farm succession
Retiring New England farmers have identified a need for help to prepare for, plan, and navigate the complex process of farm business succession. Over 10,000 New England farmers are likely to exit farming in the next decade. Many want technical assistance on specific aspects of succession and transfer. Most lack adequate succession plans. They need […]
More resources available when & where farmers really need it
Last year’s market disruptions created crises and opportunities for farmers. Some farmers struggled to keep their businesses afloat, others had banner years, and some were forced to consider retirement. All farmers had to adapt quickly to new realities and demand. We continue to help more farmers find, secure, and transfer farmland across New England. This […]
Dairy farms in Massachusetts, and across New England, are evaporating
Dairy farming is an essential part of a local and sustainable food system. Real dairy starts with real farm families. Across the US, 95% of all dairy farms are family farms. New England is home to over 1,000 dairy farms. Many of them have been passed down for generations. In Massachusetts, seventeen of the 117 […]
Farmland inventory project aimed at connecting Bowdoinham ME landowners with aspiring farmers
Neighbors helping neighbors is a way of life in rural Maine. Take the town of Bowdoinham, for example. If a farmer wants to find land in town, they would likely have a conversation with David Whittlesey, an active and engaged member of the Bowdoinham community, and founder of Bowdoinham Community Development Initiative (BCDI). David would […]
Farmers at the heart of NH Eats Local
In August, we’ll join over 70 partners to highlight New Hampshire Eats Local, a collaborative initiative of NH Food Alliance, the UNH Sustainability Institute, the NH Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food, and other key partners, for a month-long celebration of local food and farmers. For the farmers who grow our food and steward our […]
Helping the next generation of farmers
Letter To The Editor,Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners (MOF&G) News — In my role as Field Agent with Land For Good, I have the good fortune to be assisting a number of bright, enthusiastic new farmers with their farmland searches. Due to the pandemic, Maine (and New England) has become an even more attractive place to […]
