Farms Forever
SEMAP is pleased to announce our new Farms Forever program!
- What Is Farms Forever?
- Resources for:
- Opportunities
Resources for Established or Retiring Farmers
Affordable 1-on-1 transfer planning assistance for Southeast Massachusetts
Through SEMAP, area farmers can now receive affordable, 1-on-1 transfer planning assistance from Land For Good, a regional organization that specializes in farm transfer planning. Whether a transfer plan keeps a farm in the family, passes the farm to a new operator, or combines both aspects, SEMAP wants its new planning program with Land For Good to help area farmers find the solution that fits their personal circumstances.
Downloads: Application & Cover Letter (PDF)
American Farmland Trust: Massachusetts
New England Small Farm Institute
Has a lot of information about farm transfer, farm succession, small farms, farm planning, and the Exploring the Small Farm Dream course. Includes an extensive bookstore with great resources for small farmers at all points in their careers.
Resources for New Farmers
Growing New Farmers
Growing New Farmers (GNF) is a support network for Northeast new farmers. Use this site to connect with programs, services, and resources for new farmers throughout the 12 Northeast states.
http://www.growingnewfarmers.org/
The New Farm: Farmer-to-Farmer Know-How from the Rodale Institute
Great "farm blogs" and "farm forums". Includes a lot of information on specific management practices.
Resources for Non-Farming Landowners
The Trustees of Reservations
The Trustees of Reservations' mission is to preserve, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts and to protect special places across the state. They are a nonprofit organization funded entirely by our visitors, supporters, and more than 35,000 members. They work with conservation and stewardship projects.
Opportunities
Cranberry Hill Farm, Plymouth
Cranberry Hill Farm is the oldest commercial organic bog in the country, it has been certified for over 15 years. The property is a total of 23 acres (6 acres are bogs and 10 acres could be cultivated with another crop). There is access to irrigation from a river that runs by the property. on the property is a two/three bedroom home, with views of two ponds. The farm has developed a successful Internet business allowing them to sell directly to the consumer. The owners see many potentials for growth and developing opportunities for the property. Owners are looking to retire, but are remaining open for other possible business arrangements such as taking on a partner or selling business. If you are interested and would like further information you can contact Kristine at cranhill@capecod.net.
Website: www.organiccranberries.com and on www.localharvest.org
Eleven Acre Farm, South Plymouth - $628,000
The property is comprised of paddocks for horses, sheep, goats, or other livestock. A beach plum orchard completely fenced with 10' deer fence and 2.25 acre open field for row crops or any other crop you wish to grow. The beach plums and 2.25 acre row crop field have a drip irrigation system, which has its own well and pump house. The remaining land is wooded. Property directly abuts forestland owned by the Town of Plymouth. A eleven-year-old three-bedroom cape sits 180' off road in a private setting (see attached brochure for details). The 28' X 32' barn has electricity, a hay loft for 400+ bales of hay (see brochure for details).
For more information please contact: Century 21, Deborah Glass at (508) 423-2025 or at www.glasshousema.com
Downloads: Brochure (Inside & Outside)
What Is Farms Forever?
SEMAP’s Technical Assistance program area has historically provided business and marketing courses and resources to local farms. In late 2005, SEMAP’s Technical Assistance Committee reviewed our TA programs and priorities. We determined that support for the formation of new farm businesses was the most critical area for our attention, the necessary basis for sustaining agriculture in our region.
During 2006 SEMAP conducted an intensive planning process for the Farms Forever program. We identified many resources and organizations that can help meet the farm transfer and access needs expressed by producers and landowners. And, we found that many individuals in our region are interested in getting into farming. What is missing?
We think it is a local, on-the-ground partner to help farms take action on transfer planning, be a first point of inquiry, connect farmers to partners and resources, and serve as a central point for ongoing follow-up. As a regional, cross-commodity organization with a core of strong partnerships, we believe that SEMAP can help address this need, and envision Farms Forever as a way to fill the gap.
To further its vision of a secure, profitable agricultural industry in Southeastern Massachusetts, SEMAP will launch the Farms Forever program under a 3-year grant from the USDA Northeast SARE Program, with additional funding from the Northeast Center for Risk Management Education, the A.D. Makepeace Neighborhood Fund, and First Pioneer Farm Credit. The goal of the Farms Forever program is sustain working farmlands, not just preserved land, and to enable new and next-generation producers to farm in our region through more effective farmland transfer and tenure arrangements.
For More Information Contact Farms Forever Coordinator Katie Cavanagh at (774) 240-7004 or KCavanagh@semaponline.org
Downloads: Farms Forever Informational Page (PDF)
Last Updated On: 4/12/08
Find Local Farms!
Visit SEMAP's UPDATED
online farm guide!
Click the 'Find local farms' link to go directly to the guide, or enter your search term below.
Special thanks to MDAR, Farm Fresh RI, and Island Foundation for supporting the online farm guide.
Support SEMAP!
Please help us sustain and expand our efforts to support local farms. We can now accept credit card donations through our 501(c)(3) fiscal agent, UMass Dartmouth Foundation: click here to make a donation.
