Land access is a prime challenge to farmers, particularly new and beginning farmers. Ninety percent of the 20,000 landowners that lease out active farmland in New England are non-farmers. Non-farming landowners play a crucial role in supporting secure land tenure … Continue reading
Berkshire County, Massachusetts has a rich history of agriculture. Today it supports a huge diversity of farms from large, multi-generational dairy farms to small, urban vegetable operations, as well as farmers markets, farm stands, and many farm-focused events. Jae Silverman, … Continue reading
This winter we launched Acquiring Your Farm, a training series for new and beginning farmers to help identify goals and set financial parameters, review pros and cons of owning versus leasing, conduct a land search, assess farm properties, discover keys … Continue reading
Most farmers we work with want their land to stay in agriculture; the legacy of the land is often a cherished value. But few farm families have plans in place that articulate who their successor is and exactly how the … Continue reading
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; … Continue reading
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. … Continue reading
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. … Continue reading
Finding secure access to land is the top barrier for a new generation of farmers looking to gain ground. About 61% of beginning famers report that access to land is their biggest challenge, according to the National Young Farmers Coalition. … Continue reading
Each winter we host 20-30 senior generation farmers from across New England at a Farm Succession School. The school provides structured and sustained support to help farmers make decisions, engage their families, and organize the legal and financial considerations of the farm … Continue reading
Join us in welcoming Katie Steere, a farmer and community leader from Glocester RI, to the Land For Good team as our new Rhode Island Field Agent. We met Katie last January 2020 through the Landing on the Right Acre … Continue reading
