Amid another year of challenges and opportunities, I am happy to share that the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture recently announced an investment of over $50 million to 140 organizations and institutions that teach and train beginning farmers and ranchers through its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). 

As one of the recipients, Land For Good received a $750,000 BFRDP grant to provide training and technical assistance to our region’s farmers to improve access to farmland. Addressing farmland access has never been more critical as our established farmer population ages, a new, more diverse generation of producers yearns to get on farmland, and development, price and climate pressures on land continue to mount.

More than 105,000 acres of New England farmland have been lost to development over the past 20 years. This grant will fund the Land for Farmers project that builds upon a decade of work anchored by the three-phase Land Access Project. This new project deepens and expands collaborations to fill training gaps, expand advising, and improve resources and tools for farmers and landowners to put more farmers securely on farmland.

Read more in this issue about our work in your state and across the region:

Farmers continue to ask for our help everyday, and that's where you come in. We rely on the support of individual donors to sustain and grow this work.

Help us keep farmland in farming by making a gift today! Take advantage of Giving Tuesday on November 30th, a global movement highlighting the generosity of the human spirit that brings people of all races, faiths, and political views together across the globe. Or give today at landforgood.org/donate.

With gratitude,

Jim Hafner

Executive Director

For retiring farmers, a farm transfer often takes years to plan and complete. The transfer of John and Beth Haynes’ organic dairy farm took nearly seven years.

John and Beth have owned Haynes Dairy Farm (NH) since 1981 when they purchased the farm from John’s parents. The farm has been in the family for 3 generations. As John and Beth prepared to retire, they realized that to keep the farm in agriculture they needed to take on the added step of identifying a successor to take over the farm. In 2013, they reached out to Land For Good.

They worked with LFG field agent Mike Ghia who has decades of farm business planning experience and assists farmers with both inter-generational and non-family farm transfers. Mike has been by their side each step of the way, from goal setting to retirement planning to protecting the farm. Mike also played a key role in helping identify a successor who shared John and Beth's goals and values.

Acquiring Your Farm is a virtual training series for aspiring, new and beginning farmers preparing to access farmland in New England. Learn how to identify your goals and set financial parameters, review pros and cons of owning versus leasing, conduct a land search, assess farm properties, discover keys to successful communication, and more.

The six-session training series will provide a thorough introduction to the complex issues of farmland access and tenure - and put you in a position to make a plan and take next steps toward getting on farmland and gaining more secure tenure.

Join us this winter! Wednesday evenings, January 19 - February 23 from 6:30 - 8:00pm. Topics include:

Registration gives you access to the full series, as well as class worksheets, resource handouts, and session recordings to watch at your convenience.

In our polarized political climate, it’s heartening to know that some policymakers are working together on climate issues. The Bipartisan Policy Center’s Farm and Forest Carbon Solutions Task Force recently invited LFG senior advisor Kathy Ruhf to present on policy mechanisms to promote land access and ownership. They were especially interested in how land tenure might affect farmers' ability to participate in, and benefit from, the emerging private carbon credit market.

The task force is looking at how US agriculture and forestry can contribute to climate solutions. Co-chaired by former Senators Chambliss (GA) and Heitkamp (ND), the task force includes leaders from industry, agriculture and forestry, environmental groups and government. Kathy presented basic concepts about land access, tenure and transfer. She noted that 40% of US farmland is rented, and that most farmers rent at least some of the land they farm. Policy incentives should address tenants as well as owners of agricultural land.

In Massachusetts: Farm succession planning assistance available this winter

The Land For Good Farm Succession School comes back to Massachusetts! This is an opportunity for senior generation farmers to talk with peers, learn from advisors, and get support on the challenging process of farm succession and transfer planning.

Succession planning is a process of exploring how to transfer the farm business and assets to a future owner. Succession school provides farmers and farming partners with the structured and sustained support to make decisions, engage their families, and organize the legal and financial mechanics. Hosted in collaboration with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources.

We'll meet in-person this winter for a three-session program between 9am - 4pm (Tuesdays, with a snow date of Friday of same week) each day:

January 25, 2022

February 15, 2022

March 15, 2022

In Maine: Land justice training for farmers, land stewards & land owners

Our staff and board members recently participated in a 12-hour restorative justice training by Wabanaki REACH and highly recommend it. Wabanaki REACH supports the self-determination of Wabanaki people through education, truth-telling, and restorative practices in Wabanaki and Maine communities.

This upcoming training opportunity is being offered for farmers and landowners in Maine. Decolonizing Non-Native Communities virtual training will be offered on December 6, 8, and 10 from 9-12 each day by Wabanaki REACH. The training will cover past and current experiences of Wabanaki tribal communities, explorations of our personal relationship with colonization, microaggressions, and possible ways we can engage in land justice to support Indigenous self determination. A sliding-scale registration fee allows more access to events by paying an amount that fits one's budget. Those who pay more than the suggested rate will help support the participation of others. The suggested registration fee is $30. Register now.

In New Hampshire: Investing in farm viability and conservation

Farm & food businesses eligible for team of coaches:

Organizations from around the state are partnering to offer teams of coaches to New Hampshire farms and food businesses to help them meet their business and management goals. Thanks to a grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission, administered by the Agricultural Viability Alliance (LFG Executive Director Jim Hafner sits on the Steering Committee), the collaborating partners are offering teams of specialists that will cater to farm and food businesses' individual needs in Belknap, Cheshire, Coos, Grafton, and Sullivan counties. Learn more about the types of assistance available and apply today at Vital Communities.

NH Farm Future Fund (NHFFF): NH Association of Conservation Districts has announced the NHFFF 2022 application cycle has opened. Any NH land trust working on farmland conservation is eligible to apply. NHFFF grants fund farm viability planning in concert with the conservation of important agricultural soils. This program leverages the opportunity of putting a conservation easement on farmland to also invest in the future viability of the farm business. A total of $100,000 is available in the 2022 funding cycle and awards will be $20,000 or less. Applications are due by February 15, 2022.

In Vermont: Farm succession planning webinar series

Planning for the future of your farm starts now! Learn how to make informed decisions around transferring your farm to a next generation family member or unrelated successor. At this free webinar series, Vermont farmers will learn the basics of farm succession planning, how to get started, and where to find resources. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions of succession planning experts, and get support on this challenging process.

We'll meet virtually for this four-part webinar series on Wednesdays from 11am - 1pm each day:

January 26, 2022

February 2, 2022

February 9, 2022

February 16, 2022

Learn more and register early

In Connecticut: Department of Agriculture awarded $500,000 to build a comprehensive farm & ranch stress assistance network

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture has been awarded a $500,000 one-year grant from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture as part of their Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) funding program that was authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. Similar grants were made in other states.

Grants to state agricultural departments complement the establishment of regional FRSAN networks to provide resources to farmers in stress; develop a clearinghouse of resources; and educate teams about available resources. Land For Good is engaged in the FRSAN Northeast network and several state FRSAN efforts.

“Farming is one of the most stressful occupations in the United States – from financial pressures to unpredictable weather and volatile markets to intergenerational differences and fatigue. When that stress becomes a health issue, it can not only impact the individual, but also their family life, farm productivity, and animal health and welfare,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “These funds will allow us to stand up a comprehensive program of valuable resources to help our producers at their most vulnerable moments.”

Part of this grant award will create a Reducing the Stress of Farm Succession technical assistance service in partnership with Land for Good. Watch for farm succession schools and other assistance coming soon to Connecticut!

GivingTuesday, a global day of giving, will take place on November 30, 2021.

Originally created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good, the idea has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. GivingTuesday reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity. Through grassroots giving and collective action, we can continue to show up for the causes we believe in and build more just communities.

We can't do this work without you! Thank you for your generous support during a challenging year. Please help us keep farmland in farming. Give today!