Tell New York Governor Cuomo To Act Now on Land Access for Young Farmers
In August, we wrote a blog post about New York State legislation that would help beginning farmers across the state get access to viable agricultural land. The bill is now on the Governor’s desk – we are asking him to take action and sign it into law. If passed, this bill could provide access to state-owned farmland for new and […]
USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Programs by the Numbers
Last month, USDA hosted an event honoring the White House’s Future of American Agriculture Champions of Change, including NYFC’s own Lindsey Lusher Shute. This event recognized the need for young farmers and highlighted USDA resources targeted at these farmers in particular.
New Farmer Summit April 4-5!
Attention Midwestern Farmers! MOSES and Renewing the Countryside are hosting a New Farmer Summit April 4-5th outside Madison, WI!
Apply now for the Oregon-based Advanced Farmer Training Program
OK, so you’ve been working on farms for a couple of years – now what? That’s the dilemma a lot of beginning farmers face, and it’s one that the folks at Rogue Farm Corps (RFC) are working to address.
Start Organizing with the NYFC Organizing Handbook
We’re kicking off the brand new year with a brand new resource for local young farmer organizing – the Organizing Handbook: How to Bring Local Farmers Together for Shared Success!
Farm bill moves toward conference as lawmakers and farmers call for beginning farmer support
This week marked an exciting development in the two-year-long push to deliver a new five-year farm bill. Both the House and the Senate have already passed their own versions of the bill; the remaining hurdle is to reconcile the two with each other in a way that will win approval both both bodies.
Notes from Plowbreak Farm in Hector, NY
Walking into the field in Hector, New York, I find two farmers cheerfully harvesting basil and hot peppers. Meet Aaron Munzer and Kara Cusolito, founders of Plowbreak Farm. Plowbreak Farm began in 2012 when Aaron and Kara leased three acres of loamy soil in the agriculturally rich Finger Lakes region. Their farming philosophy is simple: […]
April Farmer Mixer Roundup
Though the Farm Bill has been front-and-center as of late, the farmers of NYFC are not forgetting to have a good time! April was full of young farmer mixers, from Fort Collins to Albuquerque, Texas to Rhode Island. In Fort Collins, farmers from Colorado’s Front Range celebrated their second mixer potluck-style, packing the Empire Grange […]
The Conservation Reserve Program Goes to Work for Beginning Farmers
A valuable resource for beginning farmers to get to know is the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), which is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and seeks to conserve water, soil, and wildlife resources by temporarily taking land out of agricultural use. The USDA offers annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to farmers to re-grow […]
"How I found the farm of my dreams…" – Share your story today!
“I’ve been farming for several years, but I can’t find/afford any land!” This lament is one that seems to echo around the beginning farmer community. Well we want to do something about it! Do you own land or have a long-term lease? We want to hear from you! It feels like every “here’s how I […]