Current

Events

Our staff offer presentations and host workshops, trainings, and mixers across the region with local and regional partners.

What’s happening

Farm Succession School – Massachusetts
Mondays, January 27, February 24, March 17, 2025
9:30am-3:00pm
Taunton Public Library, Taunton, MA
Register

• Three-day winter course for senior Massachusetts farmers who are ready to dig in and start building their plan. This curriculum is designed to help farmers think through the many aspects of succession planning, clarify vision and goals, get next steps on paper, and review necessary documents to provide for a smooth transition. There is also homework and assistance available between sessions. Each session includes ample time to share and learn from other farmers facing similar questions. Farmers do not need to have an identified successor to participate in this course. The fee is $100 per farm, including all materials and support between classes. Because of the funding resource for this series only farmers located in Massachusetts can sign up for this course. Hosted by Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources and Land For Good.

Land Ownership Readiness Course, Cohort 3
Saturday, March 8, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Thursday, March 27, 6:30-8:00pm
CT Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, CT and Virtual
Register

• New course for underserved producers, including socially disadvantaged producers, in Connecticut. This course will prepare farmers to purchase farm land and introduce them to the entire process of a real estate transaction. The course does not assume farmers have prior experience or knowledge with property acquisition or ownership, and there are no prerequisites for this course. The purpose of the course is to introduce farmers to key concepts, and raise awareness of the broad range of issues, concerns, challenges and obligations connected to farmland acquisition and ownership. With this introduction, farmers will develop a checklist of important criteria and an inventory of helpful resources to navigate the process of buying farmland. Will O’Meara, our Connecticut Field Agent, will facilitate the two course modules happening on the dates listed, “How to Search for Farmland in CT using Important Criteria for a fam business” and “Tools for Reducing Cost of Ownership.” Hosted by UConn Extension.

Planning for the Future of Your Farm
Thursday, March 27, 2025
5:30-7:30pm
Shelburne Grange Fellowship Hall, Shelburne, MA
Register

• Free workshop for farmland owners and non-farming landowner individuals and/or municipalities, organizations, or institutions that will provide attendees with an understanding of the organizations and resources in the region that can assist with planning for the future of your farm. Speakers from Land For Good, American Farmland Trust, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Franklin Land Trust, and more will discuss resources for estate planning, financial planning and grants, farmland conservation, farmland succession, and farm business succession. There will be lots of time for Q&A, to connect with other farmers and agricultural resource providers, and to gather helpful resources. Locally sourced dinner provided. Space is limited! Advance registration is required.

Planning for the Future of Your Farm
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
6:00-8:00pm
1870 Town Function Hall, Berlin, MA
Register

• Free workshop for farmland owners and non-farming landowner individuals and/or municipalities, organizations, or institutions that will provide attendees with an understanding of the organizations and resources in the region that can assist with planning for the future of your farm. Speakers from Land For Good, American Farmland Trust, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Sudbury Valley Trustees, and more will discuss resources for estate planning, financial planning and grants, farmland conservation, farmland succession, and farm business succession. There will be lots of time for Q&A, to connect with other farmers and agricultural resource providers, and to gather helpful resources. Locally sourced dinner provided. Space is limited! Advance registration is required.

Planning for the Future of Your Farm
Wednesday, April 9, 2025
5:30-7:30pm
Bounti-Fare Restaurant, Adams, MA
Register

• Free workshop for farmland owners and non-farming landowner individuals and/or municipalities, organizations, or institutions that will provide attendees with an understanding of the organizations and resources in the region that can assist with planning for the future of your farm. Speakers from Land For Good, American Farmland Trust, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, Berkshire Natural Resources Council, and more will discuss resources for estate planning, financial planning and grants, farmland conservation, farmland succession, and farm business succession. There will be lots of time for Q&A, to connect with other farmers and agricultural resource providers, and to gather helpful resources. Locally sourced dinner provided. Space is limited! Advance registration is required.

Confronting the Affordability Challenge
Saving America’s Working Lands Conference
Thursday, April 24, 2025
10:30-12:00pm
The Oak Room, Fairmont-Dallas Hotel, Dallas, TX
Register

• Land ownership has traditionally been the pathway for wealth generation in agriculture. Yet land has become increasingly unaffordable for many producers. Explore affordability tools associated with agricultural conservation easements, and how Buy-Protect-Sell projects can be used to provide an affordable pathway to land ownership. Speakers include Mike Ghia, Land For Good’s Vermont Field Agent, Hilary Aten, WA State Conservation Commission’s Office of Farmland Preservation Coordinator, Alison Volk, American Farmland Trust’s Director of BPS and Easement Acquisitions, Krisztian Varsa, The Conservation Fund’s Director of Farm Funds, facilitated by Cris Coffin, American Farmland Trust’s National Agricultural Land Network Director and Senior Policy Advisor. This conference is designed for new and seasoned conservation practitioners, agriculture industry representatives and service providers, researchers, planners, policymakers, farmers, and ranchers. Hosted by American Farmland Trust.

Scaffolding to Support Farm Transfer and Succession
Saving America’s Working Lands Conference
Thursday, April 24, 2025
1:30-3:00pm
The Oak Room, Fairmont-Dallas Hotel, Dallas, TX
Register

• America’s aging farmers, ranchers, and agricultural landowners are leaving the farm. This panel discussion will focus on the issues that senior producers and landowners face in transferring their farm or ranch to a next generation producer, and some successful strategies that public and private service providers are using to assist them in meeting their transfer and succession objectives. Speakers include Addie Candib, American Farmland Trust’s Pacific Northwest Regional Director and Mike Ghia, Land For Good’s Vermont Field Agent. This conference is designed for new and seasoned conservation practitioners, agriculture industry representatives and service providers, researchers, planners, policymakers, farmers, and ranchers. Hosted by American Farmland Trust.

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