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Live webinar on accessing land to farm collectively
Join a free live webinar to learn land access methods for farmers interested in leasing or owning farmland as a group.
As you know, access to land remains a top challenge for many farmers. Accessing farmland as a group can solve some land access obstacles and offer multiple benefits. While it does present challenges, group tenure can improve farmers’ chances of success, quality of life, social connections, and mental health. A new educational tool, Accessing Farmland Together, describes methods for farmers to lease or own farmland as a group.
Farmers and farm service providers are invited to this live webinar to learn about group land access concepts and how to use this new educational tool. Presenters will include Land For Good staff, and farmers with lived experience in group tenure models.
Two live webinar dates:
- For service providers: December 12, 2022, 1:00-3:00 pm
- For farmers: December 14, 2022, 1:00-3:00 pm
Register now for this free webinar
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Learn how to acquire your own farm
Finding, getting onto, and holding land for farming is harder than in past generations. Escalating cost of land, competition for uses, and concentration in ownership have compounded the issue.
Acquiring Your Farm online training series for new and beginning farmers will offer an introduction to the complex issues of farmland access and tenure, including how to conduct a land search, assess farm properties, identify goals and different tenure methods, discover keys to successful communication, and more. Apply now to join this seven-session series held on Wednesday evenings 6:30 - 8:00pm beginning January 18.
Applications to attend will be accepted until December 15. Space will be limited to allow for interactive sessions.
Apply now to attend
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Where to start with farm succession planning?
Start with this free live webinar series on farm succession planning. Transitioning farmers and new generation farmers will learn the basics like how to get started and where to find support during this four-part series held on Wednesdays from 11:00am - 1:00pm beginning January 18.
And hear from farmers recently in transition! Farmers from across New England are welcome to attend. Family members and farm partners are encouraged to attend together. Registration includes class worksheets and resources. Recordings will also be made available to all who register.
Register now for this free series
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Farm Succession School coming to Connecticut & Massachusetts this winter
Farm Succession School is a three-day winter course for senior farmers and partners who are ready to do the work and dig into creating a farm succession plan. Farmers do not need to have an identified successor to participate in this course.
Help get the conversation started, learn from advisors, clarify goals and next steps, and connect with resources that make a succession plan successful! Learn more or register:
Connecticut - January 24, February 28 & March 28
Massachusetts - January 26, March 2 & 30
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Intentional long-term transition leads to seamless farm transfer
Tim and Janet Taylor, founders of Crossroad Farm in Fairlee VT, started farming on one acre of land in 1980. With help from their family and extended family, the farm grew. Tim and Janet knew that rather than waiting until age or health forced the issue, they wanted to be more deliberate and pursue transferring the farm as a turnkey business.
Mike Ghia, our Vermont Field Agent, acted as a farm succession advisor. He facilitated conversations with farm employees to identify a potential successor. Phil Mason had been working on the farm for more than 10 years and expressed interest. Tim and Janet wished to structure a gradual farm transfer. Phil took on more responsibility and was involved in more aspects of management of the business, marketing, and sales. Five years ago, Phil bought into the business becoming partners with Tim and Janet.
"Gradual transfers are often better than an all-at-once change in ownership” shared Mike, “so there’s room for adjustments and to adapt to any changes in how the farm operates. And it gives the younger generation an opportunity to take on additional responsibility while being mentored by the older farmers.”
This summer the farm transfer was complete when Phil purchased the land along with the rest of the farm business.
Read the story of Crossroad Farm
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Plan for the future of your farm with individual assistance
We have the knowledge, networks, and experience to help you plan for the future of your farm. We've helped hundreds of farmers and farm families find innovative solutions that keep their farms in farming, provide a meaningful legacy and address the financial, legal and business challenges involved in transferring a farm to a next generation family member or unrelated successor.
Our field agents offer individualized coaching and are available to assist you with the many steps along the way. Costs vary depending on your needs and available funding, always with a sliding scale option. Free resources are also available online in our Toolbox.
Get help now to plan for the future of your farm. Email us to connect with one of our field agents. Or to initiate a no-cost informational session:
Complete our farm succession form
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Join the Giving Tuesday movement, November 29
It's the biggest celebration of generosity. Giving Tuesday has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to unite and give back in whatever ways they can. Show your support of Land For Good’s work to grow farms and keep New England’s farmland in farming.
Your gift will go right to work, providing farmers with the education and guidance they need to sustain and grow New England’s agricultural and food system far into the future.
Give now!
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This year, 126 farmers accessed land, improved land tenure, or worked on a farm transfer plan with our help
And our work is not done! This work impacted over 8,400 people with training, workshops, webinars, resources, and more in 2022.
Show your support to help more New England farmers receive expert guidance to transfer their farm, keep active farmland in farming, and help an eager next generation of farmers get on land. Farmers like Phil.
Phil, new owner of Crossroad Farm, also worked with Mike Ghia, our Vermont Field Agent, on the gradual farm transfer. Reflecting on the long journey,
“I started working here on the farm when I was 14 years old. That was 22 years ago,” shared Phil . “Needless to say, this was not the plan when I started as a teenager picking strawberries in the field, but thankfully it’s worked out the way that it has. I’ve been here for so long, I know and love the farm. I know what’s here. And I know what’s involved.”
We rely on supporters like you to get more farmers on more land – and keep land in farming. If you believe that farming and land stewardship are vital to New England’s future, then join with us.
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