Visit other similar programs around New England and the United States to utilize other state’s resournces and contacts to learn more:
National Farm Transition Network http://www.farmtransition.org/ is a directory of farm link programs in the US.
Growing New Farmers http://www.growingnewfarmers.org/questions_answers/question_05.htm
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 Jersey FarmLink http://www.state.nj.us/agriculture/sadc/farmlink/
New York FarmLink http://www.nyfarmlink.org/links.htm 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.
Holcomb Farm, Granby http://www.holcombfarmcsa.org/
Town Farm Dairy, Simsbury http://townfarmdairy.org
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.
Books and Videos
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 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.
