Dear Farmer,
You’ve no doubt heard that the average age of an American farmer continues to increase, as well as an enormous amount of U.S. farmland is on track to change hands in upcoming decades. Maybe you’re a young person interested in starting a career in farming but don’t know how to gain access to farmland? Or maybe you’re an older farmer nearing retirement and concerned with what will happen to your farmland in the future?
In this edition of Grower’s Toolbox, we share an expert tip about the CFSA Farmland Access Program. In 2018, with funding from NC Tobacco Trust Fund Commission, CFSA will be offering land access services. Lomax Farm Manager, Aaron Newton, shares more information about these services and how you can take advantage of all there is to offer as a part of this program.
Furthermore, we have tons of exciting workshops coming up, including our 8th Organic Commodities Livestock Conference. This is a great time of year to keep your eye on our Events page.
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Cheers,
Karen McSwain, CFSA's Director of Farm Services and Food Systems
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We provide free consulting services to help our farmer members use sustainable and organic practices--whether that's through obtaining USDA organic or GAP certification, to how to successfully grow in high tunnels.
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Accessing Land: A Beginning Farmers Guide
by Aaron Newton, Lomax Farm Manager
Today less than 2% of the U.S. population is employed in agriculture and that number has been similarly low for several decades. That means aspiring farmers are less likely to have grown up on a farm and are less likely to have access to family land on which to establish a farm business.
Perhaps you are one of these landless, aspiring farmers. You want to go into farming because you want to help provide healthy food for the people in your community or you are interested in the proper stewardship of our natural resources. Maybe you feel a strong desire to work for yourself or to spend time working outdoors. Whatever the combinations of factors leading you to explore a career in farming, perhaps you should take a step back and think through all the practical matters involved this life-shaping decision.
Click on to finish reading Aaron's Beginning Farmers Guide.
(If you're new -- or missed an edition -- please check out previous Expert Tips here.)
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Join CFSA at the 8th Annual OCLC!
This full-day event is your opportunity to learn from and network with commercial-scale growers from throughout the Carolinas.
Whether you’re already using organic practices or just considering the transition, this conference will equip you with resources and connections to make your farm more profitable and more productive. Our workshops will feature the latest research and expert tips for raising organic livestock, planning successful rotations, using integrated pest management strategies, evaluating new grain varieties, and much more. The conference schedule includes designated time for networking with vendors and other attendees.
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Mount Olive, NC
Tuesday, Mar. 6, 9 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
GAP Workshop: Navigating the USDA GAP Audit Workshop
Ellerbe, NC
Wednesday, Mar. 7, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
GAP: Writing a Food Safety Plan Workshop
Rockingham, NC
Monday, Mar. 12, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Bishopville, SC
Thursday, Mar. 15, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Construction, Production, and Management of Modular High Tunnels
Mills River, NC at Sierra Nevada's Farm
Wednesday, Mar. 21, 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Save The Date!
23rd Annual Piedmont Farm Tour
Saturday & Sunday, Apr. 28 - 29, 2 - 6 p.m.
Come tour local, sustainable farms and discover the delicious meat, dairy, fruits, and veggies produced in the Piedmont!
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