Transitioning to your own Farm
After three years of farming on a training site, you will be assisted to transition to your own independent farm site. Some farmers who finish the Farm Business Planning Course are ready to begin their own business right away, and we can help with that too. NESFP staff provides individual technical assistance to meet the long-term goals of each farmer, even after they transition to their own land.
The NESFP Transitioning Farmer Program includes technical assistance or referrals related to:
- farm business planning;
- finding and assessing farmland;
- recommending small farm equipment;
- providing examples of lease agreements and land conservation plans;
- advising on farm production practices and management;
- linking participants to Massachusetts markets and direct marketing programs;
- ordering seeds and applying for permits;
- applying to farm credit and loan programs;
- contacting custom farm services (land preparation, fertility);
- applying to USDA programs (crop insurance, conservation planning); and
- continuing access to NESFP training programs and workshops.
NESFP has successfully assisted two farmers to purchase farms through USDA's Farm and Home Loan Program. In addition, the program has assisted seven farmers with locating plots for their independent farm enterprises, where they continue to farm and receive technical assistance from NESFP staff.
The farmland location and matching service through NESFP assists qualified beginning farmers and experienced growers to locate suitable land for agricultural production. NESFP assists growers to get started or to expand the acreage of their agricultural business on available farmland in Massachusetts and surrounding Northeast states.
