FARMER CIRCLES 2021

Farmer Circles are peer-to-peer learning communities for farmers interested in sharing obstacles and strategies in a small, semi-structured, supportive environment. Each project year, farmers will join a circle focused on a topic or issue that interests them and explore this topic together. In addition to digging into a particular topic together, these circles will provide CT farmers with a social network that they can rely on to counter the stresses and risks of farming. The facilitator of each group will receive a stipend of $800 and have the chance to develop their skills as a group leader as they work with NCTFA and NOFA to create a successful learning environment.

THE JOURNEY PERSON PROGRAM

Based on The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association’s successful journey person program, this program offers accepted, newly independent farmers mentor-matching, technical assistance, educational stipends and small capital improvement grants. Designed to fill the education gap between being an apprentice and an independent farmer, this program provides the resources and opportunities for new farmers to develop their skills already established in farm-training programs and/or apprenticeships. This program is individualized and meant to be shaped by the interests and goals of each participant

Announcing Farmer Circles: A joint initiative between NOFA,NCTFA, and UCONN Extension

CT NOFA is teaming up with the New CT Farmers Alliance (NCTFA)…

December 12, 2020/by Dina Brewster

Catching up with Journeyperson, Will O’Meara

An update by Will O'Meara:

As we expected our first season…

November 19, 2020/by Jeremy Pelletier

Catching up with CT NOFA Journey Person, Stephanie Berluti

We recently had the opportunity to catch up with Stephanie Berluti,…

September 21, 2020/by Jeremy Pelletier

About the Journey Person Program

The Journey person program strives to support land stewards in the education gap between apprentice and independent business owner and to provide resources and opportunities for prospective new farmers/land care professionals who have completed an apprenticeship to further develop skills they need to operate independently. The program is shaped by the interests and goals of individual participants. New land stewards are able to gain advanced experience, skills and perspective in a supportive environment while also becoming part of a sustainable professional network.

Each Journey person, once selected, is matched with a mentor. These arrangements are flexible and are shaped collaboratively by the journey person and the mentor. Some mentors also offer access to land, equipment, and support so a journey person can operate independently.

Additional resources/requirements for journey people include:

attendance at an Organic Land Care accreditation course (full scholarship included)
educational/capital stipends up to $2,000
attendance at 2 NOFA Winter Conferences – CT and one other (full scholarship included)
if applicable, organic certification assistance (4 hours of consulting with a USDA inspector)
completing a full business plan
attending regular mentor meetings
check-ins with CT NOFA staff about progress

Previous Journey People from 2012-2016:

2015-2016 Journey people:

Ben Harris
Root Down Farm, Coventry

Josiah Venter (right)
Gentle Giant Farm, Bethany

Roger & Isabelle Phillips
Sub Edge Farm, Farmington

2014-2015 Journey people	2012-2014 Journey people
Maggie Saska at the Community Farm of Simsbury Tonya Taylor and Kasey Clark at The South Kent School Allyson Angelini at Full Heart Farm, Ledyard, CT	Max and Kerry Taylor at Provider Farm in Salem, CT Joe Listro, Farm Manager at Sullivan Farm in New Milford, CT.