Our goal is to increase the number of beginning farmers who operate successful, profitable farm enterprises in New York, thereby keeping approximately 200,000 acres of arable farmland in production and sustaining NYS’ role as a leading agricultural State in the Northeast. This goal fulfills our 30 year mission--to increase the number and diversity of successful farm enterprises and related businesses in New York. We will implement our three-year project to:
1) support the establishment of 12-15 new farms with high impact, deep touch “A-Z” business development services from farmland access to landowner/producer matchmaking, to business planning, product development, access to capital, and support with markets/sales;
2) enhance, strengthen, and ramp up operations of 1,000 beginning farms Statewide in their first 10 years with our mid/light touch services using business development and management workshops and webinars, on-farm events, facilitating networks/peer connections, interactive online content and resources, and referral;
3) offer intensive trainings with mentor farmers in the Catskills (primarily Delaware, Schoharie, and Otsego counties) on climate smart farming practices.
With a range of partners, our project will deliver relevant, “farming for a new era” content:
- facilitating access to farmland in the 3 counties;
- technical assistance on securing farmland;
- educational training via peer-to-peer mentoring, apprenticeships, skill shares;
- legal and business support;
- business development;
- financial planning;
- product development;
- assistance in accessing capital;
- market R&D, market planning;
- producer/buyer/distributor matchmaking to secure market share;
- social support.