Land Access: Strategies for Security on Land

Land access is among the top issues facing new and beginning farmers as they kick start their careers in agriculture. A challenging and expensive real estate environment and the scarcity of farmland seem to make finding farmland more challenging each year. In this workshop, attendees will learn about how to conduct a land search, how to assess farmland and infrastructure, the pros and cons of leasing vs. owning farmland, and strategies for making farmland more affordable. We will also discuss resources available to farmers to improve land access outcomes, financing options, and concrete steps farmers can take to improve their readiness for leasing or purchasing farmland. Will O’Meara, the CT Field Agent with Land For Good and owner/operator of Hungry Reaper Farm in Morris, CT, will draw heavily on his personal experiences looking for land, and a series of leases that led them to move their farm three times in three years. Case studies from other farms in the region will complement the topics and strategies discussed.