The New Farmer Network (NFN) has been an informal collaboration among multiple organizations surrounding the needs of new and beginning farmers. This collaboration currently serves as a base for the Beginning Farmer and Land Access Program. For any questions regarding NFN, please contact Ben Waterman, Beginning Farmer and Land Access Coordinator.
Who Are New Farmers?
New farmers are a diverse group. Programs and services need to understand these differences and be clear about which type(s) of new farmers they are targeting.
New farmers include:
* recruits (people with an aptitude or interest in farming that have not considered it as a career option);
* explorers (those actively researching farming as a career option);
* aspiring farmers (committed to becoming farmers but haven’t started commercially);
* startup farmers (in their first few years of commercial production);
* re-strategizing farmers (in their first few years and now reassessing their operation); and
* establishing farmers (stabilizing their production and marketing).
The Network utilizes experienced farmers and Network members to conduct practical, skill-based workshops and to serve as mentors. At the same time, we are researching the challenges for New Farmers in gaining access to land, financing, markets, and skills.
The New Farmer Network’s goal is to strengthen collaboration and communication among people and organizations that serve new farmers. Several organizations have partnered to expand and coordinate existing programs that serve new and beginning farmers.
Background
Vermont, like the nation, has been gradually changing from a rural to a suburban and urban society. Only small percentage of today’s population is engaged in farming and according to the agricultural census the average age of our farmers now stands at 52 years. Yet, roughly 6,000 farms remain in Vermont, encompassing almost 1.3 million acres of land. Farming continues to play an essential role in rural economic development, food security, and the maintenance of open space for tourism, wildlife habitat and recreation. To assure a bright future for agriculture in the state, it is critical that efforts are made to encourage new entrants to farming and to help them succeed.
A career in farming is attractive to many young people as well as to people seeking a change of professions. Anecdotal evidence suggests there is an ample pool of people willing and eager to enter into farming if they can overcome the initial obstacles, which include: access to financial capital, access to land, access to markets and access to technical assistance.
Priorities for Action
Vermont’s New Farmer Network is an open coalition of farmers and agricultural organizations. Organizational members include: Farm Service Agency, Intervale Foundation, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT), UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture, UVM Extension, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Vermont Land Trust, Vermont Farm Bureau and Yankee Farm Credit.
Priority actions identified included;
(a) Coordination of new farmer programs and information,
(b) low interest loans and grants for new farmers,
(c) on-going business training sessions for new farmers,
(d) hands-on new farmer practical skills courses, and
(e) examination of land conservation policy as it relates to new farmers.