Land
Are you thinking about farming? Is one of the key considerations to starting your farm finding appropriate land? Kathy Ruhf from Land For Good spoke at the 2010 Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture’s ‘Young Farmer Conference’ and gave a few great hints. Updated March 2011
This sample short term lease agreement compiled by Land for Good outlines the basics of what should be included in a year to year lease agreement. For longer leases or one that addresses more complicated circumstances you will need to consult a lawyer.
For farmers looking for land and landowners looking for farmers, PASA is developing a land-linking program in southeast Pennsylvania.
Have you recently purchased a property or are you looking for some land to start your farm business? There are many things to consider before you plant your first crop or fence post. One of the most important things to do is to check the soil map before you do anything to ensure you are planting a crop that is appropriate for the soil type you have. The area on the property that is dry now many not be so dry come next March when the snow melts and we are left with mud, imagine that mud, almost nonexistent this year. The Web Soil Survey is the best way to determine soil drainage, depth to bedrock, crop productivity classes and so much more.
Did you know the USDA’s Farm Service Agency offers a land contract program? This program provides an incentive to land owners who plan to sell their farm to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer. A land contract is a tool which can be used in transferring land to the next generation farmer as well.
Acquiring land is one of the top three barriers for beginning farmers. Leasing may be the best option for farmers looking to expand their operation and do not have the capital to purchase land.
At a recent Breaking the Barriers: Access to Land, Equipment and Capital workshop sponsored by Penn State Extension and Pennsylvania Farm Link, Good Work Farm owners Sarah Edmonds and Anton Shannon described how The Seed Farm, an agricultural business incubator in Lehigh County, has helped them start their new farm business.
Twenty six aspiring and beginning farmers gathered in West Chester on Saturday, April 21 for the Breaking the Barriers: Access to Land, Capital, and Equipment workshop co-presented by Penn State Extension and Pennsylvania Farm Link. Our gracious presenters shared their presentations for those who were not able to attend the workshop.
PASA's Land Leasing Program Debuts New Website - Reprinted with permission from the PASA Passages Newsletter Number 95, March/April 2012 Edition. By Ann McGinnis, Eastern Region Program Assistant
