Community Farm & Agricultural Resource Center
New Farmer Initiative
Workplace Farm-share Delivery Program
Green Mountain Food Hub
Locally Grown Guide
Grow the Longest Extra Row
Annual Farmersʼ Gathering
Upcoming Events |
New Farmer Initiative RAFFL is working to link new farmers with the resources they need to succeed. This includes linking folks with business planning and technical resources available, advocating for training sessionsfor beginning farmers to be held in the Rutland Region, hosting mixers for new farmers to meet and network with eachother, and advertising land rental, business transition and other opportunities. We are responding to a need identified by the farming community and our board. An important goal of RAFFL's is to expand the number and breadth of farms in our region.
Contact us and subscribe to RAFFL's new farmer blog, What's Growin' On, to get involved!
Beginning Farmer Summer Workshop Series (June 24, 2010)
A collaboration between NOFA-VT and RAFFLis bringing a series of six training workshops for new farmers to the Rutland Region this summer. See the workshop schedule and descriptions here.
Farmer Resource Fair + New Farmer Mixer (March 30, 2010)
Over 25 agricultural organizations and agencies were on hand to answer questions about their different programs supporting farmers. Read a description of each organization in the Fair handout. Of the 100 attendees to the Fair, almost half consider themselves beginning farmers. Five workshops were held on topics of importance to beginning farmers: Building the Landowner / Farmer Rental Relationship, Land Acces Options, Conservation Incentive Programs, Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects on the Farm and Affordable Health Care and Insurance Options for Farmers.
What's Growin' On Premiere (March 1, 2009)
A blog for and by new farmers of the Rutland Region. Frequent posts on training workshops and classes, book releases and other "must read" articles, links to online resources important to beginning farmers, internships, land rental opportunities and more are posted. The blog's following is growing quickly and steadily.
New Farmer Surveying (December 1, 2009)
To ensure we offer the most effective support services for beginning farmers, we've surveyed folks to better understand challenges to farm start-up and what locally provided services are missing. So far, we've heard a need for:
- On-farm learning opportunities focusing on tour, finances, marketing and skill building
- Mentoring between new farmers and established farmers
- Mixers for new farmers to meet and network
- Help - linking new farmers with market opportunities, technical resources and statewide/national agricultural services
Complete a survey to help us understand your needs as a beginning farmer in our Region.
New Farmer Mixer at the Brick Box (November 4, 2009)
The Mixer was attended by over 60 new farmers and RAFFL supporters. As expected, we met lots of new folks who are at the very beginning of their farming careers. Below the radar, new farmers are planning for their first season here in Rutland County. We were privledged to meet many of you and look forward to supporting your efforts as you grow!
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