We are psyched to show up the coalition’s new logo and the website’s new look (designed with input from farmers across the country!). What you may not have realized is that we also have some new resources and links available to you as you farm and build your businesses.
One of the main goals for NYFC is to actively address the main stumbling blocks that beginning face in starting a farm. We have identified three of the largest obstacles as difficulty in accessing capital and credit, difficulty in finding appropriate education and training and finally in finding land, whether it be to lease, buy, or share. For that reason, the coalition website gives you those three resource databases to find what you are looking for in your area. (While there are some resources that the coalition has directly put together, most farmers are best served by the institutions and organizations in their immediate area – for that reason, we try to help you find what you’re looking for, rather than try to duplicate something already out there.)
Have you checked out the three resource guides recently? We’re constantly updating them as we hear about new programs and resources, so check in frequently! Know about something not in there? Please send it to info@youngfarmers.org and we’ll be sure to include it.
Here are a couple of the latest additions:
New Resource Spotlights
You can find it in NYFC’s Land and Jobs directory
This resource, from the Mid-Region Council of Governments of New Mexico, offers listings of land opportunities as well as jobs, mentorships, and trainings in the area. As stated by the program, “the LandLink Initiative links agricultural landowners and existing farm and ranch operators with the next generation of farm and ranch land stewards, business partners and interns. The LandLink will facilitate farm and ranch transition to the next generation through tenure arrangements, sales and/or lease agreements and connections to conservation easement and agriculture trust opportunities.”
The LandLink program has other online offerings, such as sample lease contracts, and offline resources such as in-person trainings.
You can find it in NYFC’s Training directory
GoFarm Hawaii works to educate and assist aspiring growers along the path to running viable farm businesses. It includes five progressive programs, starting with the AgCurious program that teaches an overview of running a farm in Hawaii and to recuit aspiring farmers to pursue their goal. The AgXposure gets aspiring farmers into the field to learn first-hand what it takes, and is then followed by AgSchool, where participants are given the technical training they need. The AgIncubator program provides land, equipment, marketing, and mentorships to its participants, and finally the AgBusiness program helps transition farmers into viable businesses and assists with the search for land and credit. GoFarm Hawaii’s goal is to provide assistance every step of the way in the path to running a successful farm!