Here at NYFC, we think farmers should be spending the summer fighting weeds, fixing fences and growing food—not worrying about student debt and untenable leases. In this July newsletter, we’ll tell you about two exciting campaigns NYFC is taking on: tackling student loan debt and fighting for affordable land. Plus, see us at the White House and read updates on federal programs and local events.
5 Farm Bill Program Changes You Should Know About In the 2014 Farm Bill, several USDA programs were changed to benefit beginning farmers and ranchers. These changes have already taken affect – all you need to do is ask about them at your local FSA or NRCS office!
FSA Elections Across the country, local county commissions for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) are taking nominations for new members. These commissions are critical to the operation of the FSA as they help determine how programs are administered on the local level and ensure local needs are met, including those of young farmers. Learn more about how you can get involved. NYFC Launches Land Access Page and Class for Land Trusts We think land trusts have a big role to play in ensuring American farmland stays in production and in the hands of farmers. To increase their capacity to help farmers find affordable farmland, we are partnering with Equity Trust to hold a national training and working group focused on farmland affordability tools and implementation this fall in Providence, Rhode Island. Land trusts from across the country will come together to learn from mentor organizations already using these innovative strategies and leave prepared to start incorporating them into their own farmland conservation programs. EventsWest Nevada City, CA – July 31 Nevada County Farmers Guild, First Rain Farm, 19832 Rector Rd. Nevada City, CA, starts at 6pm, www.farmersguild.org Grass Valley, CA – July 31 Nevada County Farmers Guild, 14805 Auburn Rd, Sweet Roots Farm, 6pm, www.farmersguild.org Sebastopol, CA – August 5 North Coast Farmers Guild, 6000 Sebastopol Ave, Sebastopol Grange Hall, 6pm, www.farmersguild.orgCaspar, CA – August 12 Mendocino Coast Farmers Guild, Caspar Community Center, 15051 Caspar Rd, Caspar, CA, starts at 6pm, www.farmersguild.org Morrison, CO – August 18th NYFC @ Jack Johnson concert, Red Rocks Ampitheatre, 18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80401. Northeast Jamestown, RI – July 30 Young Farmer Nights, Windmist Farm 71 Weeden Lane, Jamestown, RI, starts at 6pm. Windmist Farm is a beautiful diversified livestock farm in Jamestown! youngfarmernetwork.org Amherst, MA- August 8-10 NYFC @ NOFA Summer Conference at UMASS Amherst, Find us in the exhibition tent and at the Beginning Farmer Meet Up on Saturday from 5-6pm on the lawn. Rehoboth, MA – August 11 Young Farmer Nights, Rosasharn 57 County Street, Rehoboth, MA, starts at 6pm. A perennial YFN favorite! Goats. Vegetables. Tree house. youngfarmernetwork.org Colchester, CT – August 17 New Connecticut Farmer Alliance, Cato Corner Farm Tour and Potluck, tour 4 to 6pm, potluck 6 to 8pm, 178 Cato Corner Road www.catocornerfarm.com, www.newctfarmers.com Cranston, RI – August 27 Young Farmer Nights, Scratch Farm 35 Pippin Orchard Road, Cranston, RI, starts at 6pm. Scratch Farm, located at Urban Edge in Cranston, is a 2-acre diversified vegetable operation. We’ll walk the field and hear about Scratch’s seed saving practices from the proprietor of Small State Seeds herself. youngfarmernetwork.org Clermont, NY- August 28 Hudson Valley Young Farmers Coalition, Summer Mixer at Hearty Roots Community Farm. For more info: sophie@youngfarmers.org Midwest
South Austin, TX – August 20 Texas Young Farmers Coalition Hang Out @ Black Star Coop! 7020 Easy Wind Dr, Suite 100, Austin, Texas, starts at 7pm. Join TXYFC at the Black Star Coop Pub and Brewery every 3rd Wednesday of the month for some of the delicious brews and eats. Very casual. Austin, TX – TXYFC Bookclub, Join us in our first bookclub selection and meetup! We will be reading Grass, Soil, Hope: A journey through carbon country by Courtney White. Get in touch with us if you are interested in participating! lorigh@gmail.com In Solidarity,Lindsey, Sophie, Holly, Kate, Eric, Sarah, Debbie, Wes and Daniel
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