Untitled Document
Presentations: Changing Lands, Changing Hands Conference
This national conference on farm and ranch land access, succession, tenure, and stewardship was held on June 10-11, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. It was the first national conference to address these critically important issues. More than 140 Extension and other educators, agricultural service professionals, agency staff, farm and other non-governmental groups, and policymakers gathered to present, share and evaluate successful and new approaches and tools to address land access, succession and stewardship. Participants examined regionally appropriate strategies for promoting access, secure tenure, conservation and future business viability. We discussed how to strengthen service networks to improve assistance to farming and ranching families and new entrants. Participants contributed their knowledge and suggestions about model programs and policies which will be incorporated into the final reports and recommendations.
Plenary Sessions
The Landscape
A brief history and overview of land access, tenure and succession issues in the U.S. What are the issues and what’s at stake?
- Michael Duffy, Iowa State University
- Mark Falcone, USDA/Farm Service Agency
- Jess Gilbert, University of Wisconsin/Madison
- Kathryn Ruhf, Land For Good (MA)
- G.W. Stevenson, FarmLASTS Project
Young Farmer Panel
Young farmers from around the country share their land access and tenure stories
- Derek Christianson, Brix Bounty Farm (MA)
- Landi McFarland, Hoover Angus Farm (IA)
- Matthew Meals, Answer to Prayer Farm (PA)
Bill Sheets, Assistant Vice President Office of Gift Planning at Colorado State University
What Do We Want? Where Are We Headed?
Forging a vision for farm and ranch access, tenure and succession; addressing the opportunities and challenges ahead
- Neil Hamilton, Drake Agricultural Law Center (IA)
- Janie Hipp, USDA/CSREES
- Savi Horne, Land Loss Prevention Project (NC)
- Steve Schwartz, California Farm Link
Bringing it Together
Next steps in policy, professional development, research, networking, and programming
- Bob Parsons, University of Vermont
- Kathryn Ruhf, Land For Good (NH)
Track 1. Land Access and Tenure
New Players in Farm/Ranch Financing
IDAs, equity investors and other innovative financing models for getting farmers onto the land.
- Robert Karp, New Spirit Ventures (WI)
- Steve Schwartz, California Farm Link
- Quint Redmond, Agriburbia (CO)
Federal and State Policy Issues and Innovations
Experts will share what’s new, what’s working and what’s next in the policy arena.
- Traci Bruckner, Center for Rural Affairs (NE)
- Michael Duffy, IA State University
- Ferd Hoefner, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (DC)
- Dave Kimmel, NJ Department of Agriculture
Tenancy: Opportunity or Serfdom?
Nearly half U.S. farmers and ranchers rent some or all their land. We’ll look at the pros and cons of non-ownership tenure.
- J. Gordon Arbuckle, IA State University
- Derek Christianson, Brix Bounty Farm (MA)
- Ellie Kastanopolous, Equity Trust (MA)
- Karl Kupers, Shepherd’s Grain (WA)
Preparing the Next Generation: Land Access Curricula
A FarmLASTS curriculum for academic courses and community-based farmer training programs.
- Robin Kohanowich, Central Carolina Community College (NC)
- Chuck Steiner, University of Wisconsin/Platteville
- Jen Taylor, University of Wisconsin/Madison
A look at affordability issues and new models to make land moreaffordable for farm entrants.
- Derek Christianson, Brix Bounty Farm (MA)
- Jess Gilbert and Chandra Hinton, University of Wisconsin/Madison
- Steve Schwartz, California FarmLink
- Alex Wylie, Vermont Land Trust
Incubator and Mentoring Programs: Pathways to Land Acquisition
Find out how these creative programs help new farmers find and get onto land.
- Altfrid Krusenbaum, Krusen Grass Farm (WI)
- Gary Peterson, ALBA (CA)
- Steve Stevenson, FarmLASTS Project (WI)
Minority and Immigrant Farmer and Land Issues
We’ll address such issues as fractionation, heir property, cultural differences and language barriers.
- Marsha Goetting, University of Montana
- Dania Davey, Land Loss Prevention Project (NC)
- Brett Melone, ALBA and New Immigrant Farming Initiative (CA)
- Robert Wilson, farmer (FL)
Track 2. Succession
Farm/Ranch Succession Education, Programs and Services
Find out what’s out there and what’s working well to help exiting farm and ranch families.
- Bob Bernstein, Land For Good (NH)
- Dave Goeller, University of Nebraska
- Marsha Goetting, University of Montana
- Gary Hachfeld, University of Minnesota
International Perspective: Research, Programs and Policies
What the U.S. can learn from Canada, Europe and elsewhere about farm entry and exit.
- John Baker, Iowa State University
- Peter Coughler, Canada Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (Ontario)
- Matthew Lobley, University of Exeter (UK)
Linking Programs: What Works, What’s Next
A roundtable discussion about farm link program successes and challenges.
- Dave Baker, Iowa State University
- Andrew Branan, North Carolina Farm Transition Network
- Wyatt Fraas, Center for Rural Affairs (NE)
- Reggie Knox, California Farm Link
Farm Viability, Business Planning and Transfer
Can the farm business survive a transfer to the next generation or owner?
- Dave Goeller, University of Nebraska
- Gary Matteson, Farm Credit Council (DC)
- Robert Parsons, University of Vermont
- Karen Stettler, Land Stewardship Project (MN)
The “Soft Issues”: Communication and Conflict in Succession Planning
Goals, vision, values, family dynamics, communication styles… these can make or break succession planning.
- Sharon Danes, University of Minnesota
- Sharon DeVaney, Purdue University
- Debra Heleba, University of Vermont
Transferring Management: The Overlooked Challenge
We’ll address passing on management, and strategies to help families succeed.
- John Baker, Iowa State University
- Rodney Jones, Kansas State University
Women at the Table
As farm operator, farmer’s partner, widow or entrant, women have unique challenges and offerings.
- Sharon Danes, University of Minnesota
- Debra Heleba, University of Vermont
- Denise O’Brien, Women, Food & Agriculture Network (IA)
Track 3: Land Use, Conservation and Stewardship
Public Policy, Conservation and Stewardship
How can public policy encourage landowners and operators to improve farm and ranch conservation? • Traci Bruckner, Center for Rural Affairs (NE) • Bob Wagner, American Farmland Trust (MA) • Chris West, Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust
Meeting Landlord and Tenant Conservation Interests (Wednesday, 1:45 - 3:30, Keystone 2) The best ideas for integrating conservation and stewardship into lease agreements. • Mike Bell and Julie Keller, University of Wisconsin/Madison • Tom Buman, AGREN (IA) • Karl Kupers, Shepherd’s Grain (WA) • Denise O’Brien, Women, Food & Agriculture Network (IA)
Land Trusts, Ag. Easements, Active Use and Conservation (Wednesday, 1:45 - 3:30, Keystone 3) Successful models for working land tenure from the land trust community. • Jen Johnson, The Nature Conservancy (CO) • Ellie Kastanopolous, Equity Trust (MA) • Bob Wagner, American Farmland Trust (MA) • Alex Wylie, Vermont Land Trust
Non-farming Landowners, Land Use and Conservation
Farming opportunities and uses on Federal parkland, municipal open spaces, land trust land and intentional communities.
- Virginia Kasinki, Glynwood Center (NY)
- Darwin Kelsey, Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy (OH)
- Altfrid Krusenbaum, Krusen Grass Farm (WI)
- Mike Sands, Prairie Crossing (IL)
Land Use Rights and Legal Issues
Current hot topics such as wind energy leases.
- Scott Buchanan, Buchanan, Bibler, Gabor & Meis, (IA)
- Neil Hamilton, Drake Agricultural Law Center (IA)
- Frank Falen, Budd-Falen Law Offices (WY)
The Cutting Edge on the Urban Edge
Creative opportunities to get onto farmland in metro and suburban areas.
- Nevin Cohen, The New School (NY)
- Douglas Jackson-Smith, Utah State University (UT)
- Ron Stewart, Boulder County (CO)
Last modified July 15 2009 11:16 AM
