{"id":125,"date":"2017-07-20T12:40:25","date_gmt":"2017-07-20T16:40:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/susagctr\/?p=125"},"modified":"2017-07-20T12:40:25","modified_gmt":"2017-07-20T16:40:25","slug":"how-the-uvm-center-for-sustainable-agriculture-works-regionally-to-help-vermonts-farmers-landowners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/susagctr\/2017\/07\/20\/how-the-uvm-center-for-sustainable-agriculture-works-regionally-to-help-vermonts-farmers-landowners\/","title":{"rendered":"How the UVM Center for Sustainable Agriculture Works Regionally to Help Vermont\u2019s Farmers & Landowners"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Farm<\/a><\/p>\n

In Vermont and across New England, prime farmland is both scarce and expensive.\u00a0 Many farmers are at or approaching retirement age.\u00a0 Young farmers face daunting challenges as they try to establish their agricultural enterprises.<\/p>\n

One critical, and complicated, part of these challenges is finding ways to successfully transfer farmland from those who own it to those who seek to farm on it.\u00a0 Ben Waterman of the UVM Extension Center for Sustainable Agriculture serves as Land Access Coordinator, and in that capacity, helps to support both farm-seekers and landowners in Vermont.<\/p>\n

\"Center

Center for Sustainable Agriculture Land Access Coordinator Ben Waterman<\/p><\/div>\n

He\u2019s based at UVM to serve Vermont\u2019s farming community, but he and his colleagues in the New England Farm Link Collaborative<\/a><\/b> are working together as part of a three year \u201cLand Access Project\u201d across the region.\u00a0 Serving Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island, the group is comprised of each state\u2019s \u201cfarm link\u201d programs that work to connect those seeking farmland in order to begin or grow their farming operation with landowners with farmland to lease or to sell.<\/p>\n

Ben adds, “We came together to make it easy for farmers to get a look at what\u2019s available throughout New England, and also to direct farmers and landowners to the whole array of services and resources to help them make that successful match.\u201d<\/p>\n

This is important because there\u2019s much more to a successful arrangement than just helping farmers and landowners find each other, says Waterman. \u201cEvery situation is different and can require different expertise and advice than every other one, but partners in the Collaborative have the right accumulated experience and knowledge.\u00a0 We can help bankers understand a farm business plan.\u00a0 We can help lawyers understand the agricultural provisions of a farm lease arrangement.\u00a0\u00a0 We can help real estate agents to understand the specific information that a prospective buyer or tenant needs to determine whether a land is suitable for their goals. We can help everyone navigate USDA resources and requirements.\u00a0 Farm link programs are the hub.\u201d<\/p>\n

A significant focus of the Collaborative has been the creation and improvement of the New England Farmland Finder website (found at http:\/\/newenglandfarmlandfinder.org\/<\/a><\/b> ).\u00a0 The site provides detailed and regularly updated farm property postings, as well as information and guidance about farmland transactions, such as land assessment worksheets and fact sheets on lease rates. At the time of this writing, there were over 130 farmland sites listed, including 48 in Vermont, and over 1,000 registered users.<\/p>\n

The Land Access Project is supported by a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, #2015-70017-23900.\u00a0 The collaboration is one outcome from Land For Good\u2019s Land Access Project<\/a><\/b>, funded by the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. The New England Farm Link Collaborative includes Connecticut Farm Link<\/a><\/b>, Maine Farm Link<\/a><\/b>, Land For Good<\/a><\/b> and Vermont Land Link<\/a><\/b>. \u00a0Each member provides a range of services all aimed at one common goal: \u00a0to help New England\u2019s farm seekers and landowners connect.
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

Are You a Landowner or Farmseeker Who Wants to Know More?<\/strong><\/p>\n