Visit other similar programs around New England and the United States to utilize other state’s resources and contacts to learn more:
USDA's National Agricultural Library, in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, announced www.Start2farm.gov, a new online portal that helps to provide assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers. The portal includes links to training, financing, technical assistance and other support services specifically for beginning farmers and ranchers as well as successful case studies about new and beginning farmers and ranchers.
National Farm Transition Network http://www.farmtransition.org/ is a directory of farm link programs in the US.
Growing New Farmers
http://www.smallfarm.org/main/special_projects/growing_new_farmers/
has a regional searchable directory of resources and programs for new farmers, including access to land, credit, information and markets. Includes Frequently-Asked-Farmer-Questions, publications and other resources.
Maine FarmLink http://www.mainefarmlink.org/
NEW!!! New England Farmland Finder http://newenglandfarmlandfinder.org
New England Land Link http://www.smallfarm.org/main/for_new_farmers/new_england_landlink/
New Jersey FarmLink http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/sadc/farmlink/
New York FarmLink http://www.nyfarmlink.org has many documents for sale that may be of value to farmers in transition.
Pennsylvania FarmLink http://www.pafarmlink.org/
Land Link Vermont http://www.uvm.edu/landlinkvt/
Wisconsin FarmLink http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/agriculture/farm-center/transfers/farm_link.jsp is a long standing program that is worth the visit.
Community Supported Farms in Connecticut
These are typically farms that are being run by a local community organization on town-owned land. They have many goals including : food production, education, preservation of historic buildings and sites, biodiversity (even bald eagle habitat!), and community events.
Friends of the Farm at Hilltop, Suffield http://www.fofah.com
Terra Firma Farm, Stonington http://terrafirmafarm.org
Ambler Farm, Wilton http://amblerfarm.org
Common Ground High School, New Haven http://www.nhep.com/
Additional Resources and Links
Growing New Farmers resource page: http://www.growingnewfarmers.org/tools_resources/programs_projects.htm
CT Dept. of Agriculture: www.ct.gov/doag/site/default.asp has programs, grants, licensing and latest news and opportunities at the CT Department of Agriculture
CT Weekly Agricultural Report: http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/view.asp?a=1368&q=258958 is a CT Department of Agriculture newsletter, with agricultural pricing, advertising and news. Did you know it is FREE if you sign up to recieve it by email? Dont miss the news, the grants, the opportunities!
Books and Videos
NEW! ATTRA has provided these New Guides for Organic Operations
To describe the relevant organic requirements, provide best practices, and further explain the certification process, we've partnered with the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) to provide the following detailed guides:
These guides provide helpful information for both beginning farmers and current organic operations looking to adopt new management approaches.
Educational and Training Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture (nationwide listing from the National Agricultural Library). The 20th edition (June 2012) of Educational and Training Opportunities in Sustainable Agriculture is now available free, online on the Alternative Farming Systems Information Center website at: http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/edtr/
Holding Ground: A Guide to Northeast Farmland Tenure and Stewardship. Annette Higby, Kathy Ruhf, and Andrea Woloschuk, 2004. New England Small Farm Institute.
Farmland Transfer & Protection in New England: A Guide for Entering and Exiting Farmers. Kathy Ruhf. 1999. New England Small Farm Institute.
Exploring the Small Farm Dream. Is Starting an Agricultural Business Right for You? Self- Study Edition. Kathryn Hayes and others. 2002. New England Small Farm Institute.
Whole Farm Planning: Ecological Imperatives, Personal Values and Economics. Elizabeth Henderson and Karl North, 2004. NOFA Organic Principles and Practices Handbook Series.
Business Planning Workbook: A Guide to Developing Your Farm Transition Business Plan. Gene Gouthier, Rick Hermonot and others. 2001. First Pioneer Farm Credit, ACA.
You Can Farm: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Start & Succeed in a Farming Enterprise. Joel Salatin. 1998. Polyface Farm.
Finding the Niche: Case Studies of Beginning Small-Scale Farmers. Katherine Griffith. 1991. Wisconsin Rural Development Center. Available from NESFI.
Listening to New Farmers: Findings from New Farmer Focus Groups. Sue Ellen Johnson and others. 2001. New England Small Farm Institute.
The Legal Guide for Direct Farm Marketing. Neil Hamilton. 1999. Drake University (available from NESFI)
Building a Sustainable Business: A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms and Rural Businesses. 2003. Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture.
Used Farm Equipment: Assessing Quality, Safety, and Economics. NRAES-25. James Garthe and others. 1987. Northeast Regional Agricultural Engineering Service.
CSA Across the Nation: Findings from the 1999 CSA Survey. Daniel Lass and others. 2003. Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems. (also available from NESFI)
Farmers and their Diversified Horticultural Marketing Strategies. Vern Grubinger.1999. Center for Sustainable Agriculture, University of Vermont . Video.
Public Act 05-228, which sets aside funding for the CT FarmLink Program, purchasing farmland, and matching grants to towns and farmers for expanding and promoting Connecticut agriculture http://www.cga.ct.gov/2005/act/Pa/2005PA-00228-R00SB-00410-PA.htm is landmark legislation that is responsible for the development of this site.
Additional Estate Farm Transfer and Estate Planning Links
The Connecticut Department of Ag’s Business Development and Assistance
http://www.ct.gov/doag/cwp/ lists statutes, right to farm, definitions, and other basic information for any farmer in our state.
The American Farmland Trust presents A Guide for Connecticut Towns, Institutions and Land Trusts Using or Leasing Farmland at http://www.farmland.org/programs/states/CT/Connecticut-Farmland-Leasing-Guide.asp
The Government of British Columbia has produced an estate planning manual:
http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/busmgmt/succession/porcupine_manual.htm
Wisconsin and USDA has developed a manual for farm transfer planning:
http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/agriculture/farm-center/transfers/pdf/
CT Dept of Economic & Community Development Programs and Services http://www.ct.gov/ecd/cwp/
Connecticut Small Business Administration http://www.sba.gov/ct/ offers a wide range of financial information and loan programs, including SBA Express Loan Program, SBA LowDoc Program, Microloan Program and Pre-Qualification Loan Program Intermediaries.
Iowa State University- Extension has a series of publications for planning family, two-generation farming. You will need a PDF reader to view these documents.
