Farmland Leasing 101Down To Earth Workshop Series
Thursday, September 19th 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Free
Farm Credit East - 190 Route 9H, Claverack
This workshop will provide an overview of farmland leasing and alternative lease models, land assessments, agricultural assessments, and a panel discussion with farmers and landowners who have had successful lease arrangements.
To register, contact Marissa Codey at 518.392.5252, ext. 211 or marissa@clctrust.org.
Farm FinancingDown To Earth Workshop Series
Thursday, October 17th 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Free
Farm Credit East - 190 Route 9H, Claverack
This workshop provides an introduction to business planning, farm loans, FSA assistance and USDA grant programs available for existing and start-up farm businesses. We’ll also include a discussion of various farm business relationships such as partnerships, LLCs, and other arrangements.
To register, contact Marissa Codey at 518.392.5252, ext. 211 or marissa@clctrust.org.
Additional Events
Northeast Beginning Farmers Project
Funding Workshop for Microloan and Value Added Producer
Thursday, March 14th 11:00am
USDA-FSA Farm and Home Center
2715 Rt. 44, Millbrook, NY 12545
2013 No Farms No Food Rally
March 13, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
3rd Floor Terrace
Legislative Office Building (LOB), Albany
Farm Protection Plan
CLC has been working with the County Agriculture and Farmland Protection Board and the Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation to craft a plan to support and promote local agriculture. Three public meetings are now underway to present and discuss the Draft Plan prior to it being considered for adoption by the County Board of Supervisors. A public hearing will also be scheduled at that time. CONTINUE READING
Farming Our Future
CLC’s Conservation and Agricultural Programs Manager Marissa Codey is on the steering committee of the upcoming Farming Our Future Conference.
The conference takes place on Saturday, February 23 starting at 9:00 am. This is the second annual forum for local and regional farmers, students, consumers and attendees from the community interested in agriculture. The inaugural conference, with keynote address given by Steffen Schneider drew over 200 attendees across New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts and over 25 exhibitors. CONTINUE READING
Hi, Anna: I love hearing about your initiatives. They’re so smart, and you’re absolutely right about the need to teach our young people.
There is a list of Farming Our Future’s 2012 attendees on the website: http://www.farmingourfuture.org/2012/02/see-whos-coming/
This year’s keynote speaker is Jim Slama of FamilyFarmed.org, and we’re thrilled to have him. He focuses on the CSA model, small family farms, and changing public policies to meet small farmers’ needs, and he’s another dynamo (like you).
Virginia, thanks for responding and adding in the details!
Saving land and farming is step one. Step two involves a focus on teaching the young to preserve the harvest, 21st century style tasting healthier food possibilities. In the Fresh Connect grant that the Cooperative Community Food Compact in Nassau, NY received this year, we discovered that consumers can play a role in sustainability if they join together to form cooking clubs. “Foodie” product development helps farmers find new marketing ideas for their 60 varieties of apples. We need a Foodie Revolution filled with fun and healthy new products that involve retirees with young teens. It is not enough just to grow the food. We need to teach nutrition by passing low sodium, fat and sugar options through the mouth. I am currently teaching Saturday classes focused on frozen food production and tastings at a Nassau church. Beanie brownies and no salt ketchup are replacing unhealthier foods designed by our grandparents in fifteen Nassau area households. Maybe a cooking show with this focus is in order with the help of Taconic Hills students.
Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the Taconic Hills event as I will be in Ann Arbor, Michigan attending a Local Food conference there. A new Washtenaw County Food Hub with a new processing kitchen is currently being designed to help the young farmers nearby working on the 2400 acres of saved farmland. They need a home for their seconds. Freezing and vacuum packaging is a possibility.
Last year I was unable to get a list of conference attendees so little re-connection was possible. I hope this year that there can be a shared list so more networking can happen after the conference.
Anna, you have some good ideas about creating a culture that appreciates local food. It’s too bad you can attend this year’s Farming Our Future Conference. I’m sure we’ll have other opportunities to connect. Keep in touch!