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
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)
Hilltop Farm, Lakeville - Potential Lease
The Trustees of Reservations, a state-wide non-profit land conservation organization, is seeking tenants for a farmstead and 40 acres of fields and woods in Lakeville, Massachusetts.
Hilltop Farm, at 21 Highland Road near Long Pond, is a scenic livestock and farming property. The farm buildings all suffer from deferred maintenance and are in varying states of repair. They include a main house, a horse barn, a cow barn and workshop, a shed, a small corncrib, and a studio building. The northeastern field – about 12 acres – has good agricultural soils. The southwestern fields – about 16 acres – are more suited for hay or pasture.
We would like to move fairly quickly, meeting with and showing the property to potential tenants in the next few weeks and receiving proposals by the end of the year. For more information, please contact Wayne Beitler at 781-784-0567 ext. 7015, or at wbeitler@ttor.org.
Downloads: RFP Memo
Farmer Opportunity, North Dartmouth MA
Unique rental opportunity beginning 2008 growing season leading to possible long-term secure lease or ownership for small-scale horticulture operation in Southeastern Massachusetts. Includes approximately five acres of good, to-be-protected cropland, additional land, furnished farmhouse and utilities.
The Dominican Sisters of Hope in North Dartmouth, MA offer this affordable, independent, multi-year rental with future long-term leasing or purchase options for a farmer or farm family. The lovely property is centrally located with good access. The farmland will be permanently protected by an easement allowing all agricultural practices. The large, vintage farmhouse is partially furnished. Improvements to the house and farm property may be negotiated in partial exchange for cash rent.
Applicants please send a letter of interest plus resume or equivalent description of your relevant experience, background and skills to Kathy Ruhf at kzruhf@verizon.net. Deadline: December 15, 2007 or until filled. Qualifying candidates will be invited for an interview.
For additional information or to schedule a visit to the property, please contact me at kzruhf@verizon.net or 413-323-9878.
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: 12/20/07
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.
