Blog

Move over Lamb Chop: a market for mutton could be a huge boon for New England farmers.

A recap of the ten-day campaign to free two young farmworker activists from ICE detention.

Can New England farmers survive in changing climate? A new podcast says, yes-- and they absolutely need to.

We've got your back: it's not too soon to study up and start making DIY tick repellant.

Can organic farmers build strong, resilient, local SEED economies? Seed Hack, anyone?

Liza Bemis grows veggies on her great-great grandfather's farm and spoke with us about how to create and maintain resilient farms in an ever-changing world.

Winter is a great time for farmers to rest, slow down the pace, and build new skills for the coming growing season. The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce the winter roster of online courses available through its Northeast Beginning Farmer Project. These courses help farmers learn from the latest research-based education. Since […]

Back in June, we posted about the upcoming NESAWG (Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group) It Takes a Region Conference. And maybe, at that moment, you thought that this year's theme of "Putting MOVE in the Movement" was so freaking great that you signed up immediately. If so, good for you! But maybe you, like me, were […]

Next week, in conjunction with its current exhibition Eyes on the Land, the Shelburne Museum in Vermont is holding a Working the Land Symposium. From 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Sunday, October 10, regional scholars will present on the histories, stories, archeology, and symbolism of the working landscapes of New England. These presentations will be followed by a panel discussion […]

In our continued enthusiasm for Maine Sail Freight, we are very excited today to bring you a little piece of traditional nautical ear candy. For hair-raising harmonies, visions of rocky beaches, and dreams of salty beards, download and listen to Rolling Home to Old New England.

Every year the Switzer Foundation provides funding for 20 scholars and innovators in terminal graduate programs in New England and California. The scholarship is $15,000 for the course of a year for people doing work on sustainability, agriculture, urban development, and related fields/issues. Their call of for applications says, "Candidates for the Fellowship should demonstrate […]

Making a profit off of real estate investment is no new thing, even when it comes to farmland. Land grabs make the land valuable without valuing the land. There are some investment groups, though, that aim to invest in land sustainably. One such group is The Entrepreneur Agrarian Fund (EAF), a private equity fund establishing a […]

Small Farms Quarterly As the new farmer editor I invite anyone who is located in the Northeast (Maine-Pennsylvania & points east) to submit an article. These can be focused on beginning farmers you work with, or yourself as a beginning farmer, with a story to tell about an innovation in production, marketing, new varieties, use […]

Hey everyone, Just a reminder that our next YFN is TOMORROW!  All are welcome - don't let the "Young" part of "Young Farmer Night" keep you away!! We will be meeting at 6pm at the Anawan Grange, 118 Bay State Rd, Rehoboth, MA.  There will be a meet & greet, potluck, and panel discussion featuring […]

Beginning Farmer Track at the NOFA Summer Conference August 10-12, 2012, UMass Amherst Register Now Online! And click here to read descriptions of the following workshops in the Beginning Farmer Track: 4) Cooperative Farm Labor Structures Ryan Karb, Many Hands Farm Corps, Pelham, MA 10) Introduction to Soil Fertility David Forster, Forster Soil Management, Newington, […]

We are excited to announce the Greater Berkshire Agricultural Fund partnership with Salisbury Bank to assist farms and farm-related businesses. Eligible businesses may apply for loans in amounts up to $75,000. These funds will help farmers and related businesses finance capital investments and meet operating costs.  The Fund serves businesses located in the 4-county region […]

for Animal Welfare Approved Animal Welfare Approved seeks a Farmer and Market Outreach Coordinator based in the Northeast region to cultivate, recruit and support farmers seeking a third-party certification for their sustainable, pasture-based farming operations. This is a full-time, exempt position with benefits. The Coordinator will work from a home-based office accessible to New York […]

A new offering from Land for Good: "Acquiring Your Farm."  Access to land is one of the biggest challenges facing farmers - especially beginning farmers. Will you acquire your farm by leasing, purchasing, or a combination?  How much can you afford and how will you pay for it?  How will you determine the right property […]

and their  Farm Financing resources! The Carrot Project is proud to be able to offer financing to farmers in Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont and soon in the Greater Berkshires. Some programs also serve farm-related businesses. For more information about each program, please click on the  appropriate link.  Greater Berkshires     Maine     Massachusetts    Vermont

Courtesy of The Carrot Project.  Deadlines for some of these are right around the corner! The Carrot Project Agriculture Loan Fund The Carrot Project Agriculture Loan Fund serves the state of Vermont and is administered in partnership with the Vermont Community Loan Fund, a non-profit community development financial institution. This program offers loans of up […]

the deadline to apply is April 30th. Beginning Farmer Institute A Partnership between New England Farmers Union and National Farmers Union New England Farmers Union is providing a unique opportunity for individuals who are contemplating starting a farm operation to receive valuable training through the Beginning Farmer Institute. The program is also open to those […]