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New and Transitioning Farmer Support

New and Transitioning Farmer Support poster

Highlights from Day 1 of SUMMIT, May 11th:

  • Realization that policy impacts everything that new & transitioning farmers face–zoning, planning, taxes
  • Therefore, we really need to understand how regulations impact small and medium scale farmers and make sure decision-makers really understand how even the smallest policy decision can have a big impact on new & transitioning farmers.
  • Need to think beyond young farmers to include those who are middle-aged now; how do we keep them engaged – maintain the vitality of farming; keep them on the land now.

Original WIT meeting Facilitators & SUMMIT breakout leaders:

  • Noah Ranells, Economic Development Orange County
  • Andrew Branan, NC Farm Transition Network

Staff:

  • tes thraves

 

Background

The current farm related trends offer unique and notable opportunities. North Carolina is currently tied for first in the nation in the loss of farms. The average age of farmers in the state is over 56. With a population growth of 21percent from 1990 to 2000 and an estimated 600,000 additional residents in NC by 2010 new residential growth will likely risk further farmland loss. Simultaneously, sustainable farm enterprises are multiplying in NC. North Carolina has 20,772 farms that have 50 or fewer acres according to the 2007 Ag Census. There are about 90 certified organic farms in NC and many more that use sustainable methods to produce fruits, vegetables, eggs, milk, cheese, and meat, particularly near the Triangle, Triad, Asheville, and Boone areas of the state. Current immigration and demographic changes can positively affect the number of new producers. The number of farmers markets, community supported agriculture programs, farm stands, and other direct sales continue to experience record growth. Combined with the year-round production potential in NC, the current trends indicate substantial potential for strong, sustainable, local food production in NC.

 

North Carolina Perspective

North Carolina is fortunate to have many organizations working to provide support to new and diversifying farmers. The pioneers include Central Carolina Community College’s degree program in Sustainable Agriculture; the Center for Environmental Farming Systems research farm and programs; Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s (CFSA) farmer / consumer outreach and annual Sustainable Agriculture Conference; the Organic Growers School’s educational workshops; the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s market assessments and successful “buy local” campaign; and the Rural Advancement Foundation International USA’s direct assistance. CFSA recently conducted a nationwide study of incubator models. NC programs include: Orange County’s PLANT @ Breeze Farm Enterprise Incubator, Palomo Farms’ model cooperative program (targeting Latino farmers), Raft Swamp Farm, and Maverick Farm’s FIG program. The NC Farm Transition Network provides statewide programming and resources to link land and skills opportunities for new / transitioning farmers that are available to local governments and institutions. NCDA and cooperative extension provide extensive farmer support (example http://www.growingsmallfarms.org), as well as important infrastructure for delivery of collaborative programs. NC also benefits from numerous foundations dedicated to sustainable agriculture.

 

Issues Under Discussion

Increasing public awareness of the food system results in elevated demand for local and regional farm products. Specific leadership at the state level with the recent emergence of the NC Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund is an example of state legislative support of diversification enterprises and farmland preservation. A governor’s level blue ribbon panel with significant stakeholder/farmer/consumer input is strongly needed to gather information on municipal, county, and state policies and regulations to provide a timeline for implementation of changes to existing statutes and ordinances, and to create new policies that enhance economic viability of small and medium farms and provide greater food security for NC.

 

The initial WIT meeting produced the following ideas, to discussed, developed, and expanded further at the SUMMIT:

 

Game Changer

Policy and Regulatory Review – A review of current municipal, county, and state policies, ordinances, and statutes that affect small, medium, and transitioning farms, leading to implementation of policy and regulatory changes that enhance vitality and economic viability of small, medium, transitioning farms in NC

 

Other Statewide Action Plan Ideas

  • 20 Year NC Farming Plan – Comprehensive plan to address farmer / farmworker and land issues and their interaction
  • Farmland Access Plan – Conservation, preservation, tax incentives, land use, zoning, development, small-scale farming, and urban farming
  • Capitol Access and Tax Incentives – Lender education, tax benefits for local and sustainable production practices, and marketing‏
  • Health Insurance Initiative – Pending federal action‏

 

Local Action Ideas

  • System for easy access to currently available resources & organizations
  • Regulatory overview and assistance guide in target areas
  • Resources for outreach to agricultural lenders
  • Overview and resources on labor laws for small farmers
  • Documents / cooperative agreements / models for incubation, land lease, and intergenerational partnerships
  • Profiles of model farms for demonstrating real-world successes

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Notes from New and Transitioning Farmer Support WIT SUMMIT Breakout Session:

Game Changer Idea

Regulatory initiative to include change proposals, statewide assessment, educational out reach too box of overview and assistance resources. Use of a website for this makes sense.

  • [Education of elected official and score cards to track their work needed at local (urban, county), state and federal levels to hold their feet to the fire.
  • Develop leadership and political action expertise of farmers and local food community so that they speak and are heard in Chambers of Commerce, Economic Development, Farm Bureau, NRCS/ SWCD, Extension Advisory Leadership, etc.
  • Regions are different and such concepts as “food sheds” “local” may well cross state lines into VA, TN, SC or GA in terms of markets, processing and such.]

Other State Action Ideas

20 year NC Farming Plan Development- [This needs to be done as a 50 year plan with 10 units. County Economic Development Plans are already happening all around us and ordinarily do not include a local food system component.]

Land Availability- [We need to include water too. What is the base needed for local food systems- that needs to be explored, discussed and used as the starting point.]

Capital Access and Tax Incentives- [A useful tool kit of risk management and USDA support for the higher value and local food system relevant enterprises, processing, handling needs to be developed rather than left as the bald commodity farm production model we have.]

Health insurance- [A re-visioning of our health care and insurance would assist the creation of a local food system so that producers would have meaningful and useful health and other insurance.]

Local Action Ideas from the WIT

  • Clearing house of currently available resources and organizations
  • Regulatory overview and assistance guide- [zoning and land use must fit together in a coherent and meaningful way [score card on political leaders and the way in which they assist with issues]
  • Resources for outreach to Ag Lenders- [Special reference to mid sized farm credit needs especially as banking is changing so dramatically]
  • Documents/ cooperative agreements/ models for incubation/ land leases and intergenerational partnerships. [Are there models of non-relational intergeneration transfers/ work agreements?]
  • Overview and Resources on Labor Laws- [also credit, contracts, cooperatives]
  • Profiles of model farms for demonstrating real world successes- [markets and communities. The process of engagement and of value-adding.]
  • [also: farm incubator, engagement of resources within the community such as lawyers, accountants and others to help build the local system as a community not just the producer]

Other comments

  • [Need to see value added as a critical component such as the Blue Ridge Ventures site.
  • Need to see farming as part of the community building social capital and that we see reinvigoration of community and of farming in the same dynamic
  • Could the local food movement of farmers and community not act as a “commodity group” in the sense of protecting the community farm interests and providing the political and social voice for that?
  • The agricultural and farming community should come together- conventional and organic, local and industrial.
  • The young could be brought in and engaged through high school to become involved and to learn the love of local agriculture.
  • A publicist is needed to re-brand agriculture and farming.]

Further Notes from Table 1

Game Changer Idea- Comments

  • Present use value property tax- new farmers could transition easier if size was reduced- county level disincentive less tax $$$
  • Ref: Capital access and tax incentives: Time frame of back taxes
  • Ref: Land availability plan: Urban growth boundaries eg. Portland
  • Ref: Land availability plan: Public set-aside for agriculture
  • Voluntary farmland conservation and land trusts need $$$
  • Farming needs to be profitable, or farmland conservation is not helpful
  • Farming techniques and resources [website with fact sheets, links]
  • New and existing farmer networking mentoring education about tenure alternative options

Further Notes from Table 2

Game Changer Idea- Comments

  • Regional Planning [Bio-Regional Assessment] state/ county

Further Notes from Table 3

Game Changer Idea- Comments

  • Facilitate connecting farmers to arable land.

Further Notes from Table 4

Game Changer Idea- Comments

  • Include farm farms in assessment and sustainability
  • Animal waste regulations impact small farms that were already established. “One-size-fits- all” not workable.  Outside interests drove policies that were not necessarily workable. Ask farmers and include farmers in deciding what needs to happen and appropriate policy.
  • Outreach programs to farmers to keep them involved in policy etc. so farmers make sure their voices are heard.
  • Helping farmers transition across generations e.g. incentives, legal advice…

Additional comments;

  • 20 year farming plan development- land use- involves food councils and economic directors. State involvement: local regional and state levels. Maybe shorter and monger goals and visions.
  • Land Availability Plan- Conservation easements are an issue. Options that are different # of years increments.
  • Land trusts as holders of incubator farms

Further Notes from Table 5

Game Changer Idea- Comments

  • New farmers need to know where to find information on regulations/ educational outreach.
  • FSA certification, taxes, as well as physical infrastructure- risk Management liability, capital infrastructure. Look at regulations on more of an inclusive way. Develop basic toolkit for farmers- lending FSA, extension, how to guide/ who’s who. Its assumed that farmers are developing from farms and that they have the knowledge- not the case anymore. Curriculum for farmers needs to be developed.
  • Folks who work with regulations—better system of getting information out—better system of getting information back to people who work on regulations— feedback loop— trouble shoot- have a way to collate information and relate problem back to promote change.

Further Notes from Table 6

Game Changer Idea- Comments

  • Educate growers on markets, opportunities, risks
  • Profitability research on individual crops

Further Notes from Table 7

Game Changer Idea- Comments

  • “Present use” valuation- change land use minimum from 10 acres base instead on amount sold.
  • Change diary regulations for sale appropriate eg, coordinate “Grade A” with “Grade B” for cheesemakers
  • Small Farm events- requirement for all handicap accessible, flush toilets
  • Include “urban farms” creating more inclusive city ordinances
  • Good Agricultural Practices- GAP need to be more consistent and scale appropriate.

Further Notes from Table 8

Game Changer Idea- Comments

  • Planning and zoning- building permit for G.H. residential/ commercial
  • Ag zoning consistency
  • Communication- inter-departmental- outreach, regulatory clearing house for transitioning farmers.
  • Website for funding opportunities.

Further Notes from Table 9

Game Changer Idea- Comments

  • Score card for regulators related to sustainable agriculture
  • Need to lower farm losses- include all size farms as “real” farms.
  • Counties need farm land protection plans.
  • Land availability plan- focus on identifying high quality soils. Addressing land tenure issues. Educate taxpayers about easements, funding for tax issues, ways to maintain working land
  • Capital Access and Tax Incentive Initiative- Lease agreements that are long term and work for both parties taxes reduced when non-profits own land.
  • Health Insurance initiative- YES!
  • Ways to encourage new farmers to farm in areas where land is more available –eastern North Carolina
  • Tuition credits for agricultural education- “farming fellows”.

Further Notes from Table 10

Game Changer Idea- Comments

  • Changes on a county and municipal ordinance level to impact regulations
  • Education of elected officials and policy makers.
  • Communication and outreach (including funding for) model incubators to other communities and farmers and jurisdictions
  • Retailer and farmer communication (as part of the 20 year NC farming plan development
  • Health insurance initiative and liability

Local Action Ideas

Further Notes from Table 1

Local Action Ideas- Comments

  • We need models of successful traditional farmers markets with permanent indoor market structures only open 2-3 days a week to allow farmers to work their farms and store perishables on site. Model examples- many old downtown market houses in PA for example Sunbury, Lancaster. All are downtown, walk-able and offer entry level small farmers a reliable income. Most are open only 2 days with an anchor of a community based restaurant or store open other days.

Further Notes from Table 2

Local Action Ideas- Comments

  • Use of extension- fortify extension
  • Id existing resources- umbrella network
  • Info clearinghouse

Further Notes from Table 3

Local Action Ideas- Comments

  • Ag Credit- are farm credit people aware of the opportunities that are out there working with small biz and farms
  • Resources for local agriculture agents
  • Address commercial farming problems (environmental)
  • Outreach to other lawyers. Family planning services help flesh out goals for future of the farm
  • Long term farm planning to keep it viable and flexible
  • What is there to help cultivate community and sustain farming culture/ knowledge/ community/ cultural capital

Further Notes from Table 4

Local Action Ideas- Comments

  • How do we create the environment where beginning farmers thrive rather than just move out?
  • For mid-size access to capital is biggest thing- banker may prevent selling local
  • Development of labels/markets that allow mid scale …
  • Documentation of local market values

Further Notes from Table 5

Local Action Ideas- Comments

Further Notes from Table 6

Local Action Ideas- Comments

  • Clearing house- current sites like CEFS
  • Profile of model farms- inclusive of all NC farms- case studies of “transitioned” farms. Cultural traditions surrounding NC agriculture (facilitate)
  • Farmers connecting to farmers mentoring relationship
  • Rural Voices Project/ Century Farms as starting point

Further Notes from Table 7

Local Action Ideas- Comments

  • Encourage more vocational agriculture in high schools both rural and urban
  • High speed internet to help supplement 2nd income for partners.
  • Need to have a Debbie Roos sustainable agriculture extension agent in every county
  • Need expert mentoring programs
  • Farming as a procession needs a good publicist to re-brand, to attract the best and brightest tour field
  • Need more incubator programs

Further Notes from Table 8

Local Action Ideas- Comments

  • Clearing house- regional portals
  • Profiles and outreach of model farms
  • Tool kit regional include tax laws, regulatory laws and the resources available such as lawyers accountants, tax lawyers for 501c3

Further Notes from Table 9

Local Action Ideas- Comments

  • Profiles of model farms- NCCE
  • Incubators- creating incentives for experienced farmers to train new people.
  • Knowledge, land access equipment, marketing, post harvest handling
  • How do you connect the public values to the funds needed for setting up successful programs like incubators
  • IDAs

Further Notes from Table 10

Local Action Ideas- Comments

  • Regional food system partnerships
  • Accessible value-added facilities
  • Planning/ zoning/ tax administration needs to link to cooperative extension
  • Tools to measure economic impact and potential
  • Assessment of pipeline of incoming farmers.

Additional Comment Sheet

  • We have to work with planning and zoning to create some consistency from one county to the next on regulations
  • Communication/networking- less territorialism between tax admin, Pt3, cooperative extension and farmers about needs
  • Educate farmers and consumers about seasonality and the idea that everything is not always available and cooking tips.