New Resources

Starting a Farm From Scratch - Decision Tool

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  • Digital Download

To a beginning farmer, the project of establishing a working farm at a new site can feel overwhelming. Depending on what resources already exist at the property, the task of identifying, prioritizing, and paying for needed improvements can be a difficult road to cultivate productive farmland.

This tool is designed to help a farmer who is considering establishing a farm at a new site to examine the scope of improvements the site may require, to prioritize which upgrades should be made, and to identify various organizations and funding sources that might offer advice and/or financing for farm-related improvements. Beginning with a section about selecting a farm enterprise, this resource then addresses Land Access, Utilities and Energy, Structures, and Equipment.

This tool is designed with farmers in Massachusetts specifically in mind, but many of the elements considered are applicable to farmers in other states, as many of the MA-based organizations and resources have parallels in other states as well. Each section below will include 1) Key Considerations and Questions, 2) Resources, and 3) Contacts related to that section, and some sections will also have 4) Financing information as well.

This is not an exhaustive list of key considerations and resources associated with starting or improving a farm on a new site. Hopefully the information provided will prove valuable to farmers as they undertake the important and demanding work of creating the conditions by which a property can generate value for the community and provide a sustainable income for the producer.

12.11.23 // 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Climate Record Keeping Workshop Series. Workshop 2: Breakeven Analysis and Scenario Planning.

Come learn how to unlock financial clarity in your farming operation!

5.6.23 // 9:00am to 12:00pm

Farm-to-School Professional Development

Teacher’s Farm to School Curriculum Planning

2021 New Entry Annual Report

Media:

  • Digital Download

New Entry has worked for over 20 years to establish a model of local, regional, and national programming that strengthens local food systems by supporting new farmers. We serve and collaborate with the people, communities, and organizations in Massachusetts, the Northeast, and beyond.

The end of 2020 (post-election!) and all of 2021 continued to be a whirlwind of shifting uncertainty and figuring out the “new normal” at New Entry and beyond. We worked diligently to figure out how to support farmers to plan for the 2021 growing season. We were not clear how the markets would hold and how to support farmers to either grow more or scale back, to continue to offer home delivery, resume sales at farmers’ markets, or plan to scale up for a return of institutional demand. Yet, we accomplished much and made significant progress supporting new farmers, feeding our community, and bolstering our local, regional, and national food systems.  In reflecting over 2021, one of the core themes that emerged for us has been community and connection. The pandemic reinforced the importance of both in ways no one could have predicted, but we hope will have lasting impacts on how society values our relationship to the natural world, to our food system, and to one another. Farmers sit at the nexus of all of these intersections and provide inroads to connect with the land, with the food that sustains us, and
connect us to one another. That community and connection helped inform much of the new relationships and future strategic directions we are approaching with our work as we move forward.  To dig into what we accomplished in 2021 and learn about our plans for 2022, our 2021 Annual Report is now available - enjoy!

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2020 Apprenticeship Infographic

Media:

  • Digital Download

2020 New Entry Annual Report

Media:

  • Digital Download

New Entry has worked for over 20 years to establish a model of local, regional, and national programming that strengthens local food systems by supporting new farmers. We serve and collaborate with the people, communities, and organizations in Massachusetts, the Northeast, and beyond.

This year, despite all of the turmoil and uncertainty, New Entry instead choose to be of service and leverage our resources to confront the weaknesses and inequities in the food system and double down on our mission to improve access to local and regional food.  Our foundational work in farmer training and support continued in earnest. We doubled the number of incubator farmers at Moraine Farm, transitioned our programming online and reached more new farmers across the regional remotely. Our Food Hub expanded the CSA and launched new collaborations with our food access partners to bring weekly deliveries of fruits and vegetables to those most in need. Our national programs supported farmer training organizations to share COVID-19 adaptation strategies and our annual FIELD School virtually reached over 250 participants. And we accomplished so much more.  To learn more about these initiatives, our programming, and a comprehensive overview of the year, our 2020 Annual Report is now available.

4.16.19 // 2:00pm to 3:00pm

Prospective BFRDP Application Webinar

Webinar hosted by USDA NIFA staff to discuss BFRDP program and new RFA. You can use the link below to gain access to the meeting or call in the conference call line 1-888-844-9904, Access code: 6824450.

2018 New Entry Food Hub Annual Report

View our 2018 Annual Report for details of our Food Hub programs and operations last year! 

5.29.18 // 1:00pm to 2:15pm

Intro to BFRDP Grant Program

Join us to learn more about the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. We'll review a general overview of the program, application information, and implications of the upcoming Farm Bill re-authorization. Presented by Allison Goin, Strategic Development & Program Design Consultant; Jan Perez, Social Science Research and Education Specialist at the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems (CASFS) at the University of California Santa Cruz; and Juli Obudzinski, Deputy Policy Director at National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition

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