Do you know senior farmers looking toward retirement?

Over the next 10-20 years, thirty percent of New England’s farmers are likely to exit farming. The 1.4 million acres they manage and $6.45 billion in land and agricultural infrastructure they own will change hands one way or another — most of these senior farmers would like to see their land remain in farming.

  • Do you know a farmer who would like to see their land remain in farming, but has yet to make a plan to ensure the future of their farm?
  • How about a farmer looking towards retirement who has questions that you don’t know how to answer?
  • Or a farmer with an identified successor who needs support working through the difficult conversations? 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Farm Succession School can definitely help! 

I got so much from the program, both in information and connections,” shared one participant. “The format was a well-balanced mix of instruction, homework and participation. I hope I can translate at least part of what I learned into the reality of our family farm’s future. I’d recommend the training to anyone with a family farm!”

The Farm Succession School is an opportunity for the senior generation to talk with peers, learn from advisors and get help on this challenging process. It provides senior farmers and farming couples with the structured and sustained support to make decisions, engage their families, and organize the legal and financial mechanics.

The school will help your farmer: 

  • Get the conversation started
  • Sort through possibilities
  • Clarify your goals and next steps
  • Connect you with resources and support to keep the process going! 

Farmers from across New England, of all farm sizes and enterprises, are welcome. Couples are encouraged to attend together! 

Registration is open for Massachusetts. 

Maine:
Coastal Enterprises Inc., 30 Federal Street, Brunswick, Maine
December 6, 2019
January 10, 2020 and
February 7, 2020

Massachusetts:
Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources
64 Century Way, Suite 42, West Springfield, Massachusetts
January 9, 2020 and
February 6, 2020
March 5, 2020

Farmers are required to attend all three days. 

For more information and registration head to our RSVP page.

Register for the Massachusetts school by December 20th or until course is filled.

Sponsored by the Land Access Project, funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through its Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, Grant # 2018-70017-28531. 

PO Box 625
Keene, New Hampshire 03431
phone: 603-357-1600