watch: national young farmers coalition lindsey lusher shute’s fantastic statement before the senate.

We are so proud of Lindsey Luscher Shute after her outstanding performance before the senate committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. She did a fantastic job of representing the struggles facing young farmers, from land access and affordability, student loan debt, health care affordability to the bias against women and people of color in the existing agricultural framework. She went on to outline the progress needed going forward and the issues that need to be addressed in the next Farm Bill in order to support a new generation of farmers who face different challenges and require different support mechanisms.

Lindsey also submitted a full written testimony that goes into much more detail about the young farmers movement. To read the full testimony click HERE

guess who’s going to congress

We are unbelievably proud and excited to stand with over 100 organizations in support of the Young Farmer Success Act, a bill that would help our nation’s young farmers manage their student loan debt and has finally gotten to the floor of congress. The legislation has been in the works for years now, due in large part to the National Young Farmers Coalition, and there’s no exaggerating how much it would support new farmers and dramatically increase access to both farming and farmland. Take action now to tell your member of Congress to co-sponsor HR 1060. (And be sure to send The National Young Farmers Coalition a thank you letter when it passes!)

show the country that farmer’s count!

Greenhorns! It’s no secret that the National Young Farmers Coalition goes to Herculean efforts for young farmers across the country, from fighting lobbyists from big ag to make sure the farm bill addresses the needs of small farmers to advocating their chaps off for farmer student loan forgiveness programs. Now, it’s time to help them help you!

This year, like they do every five years, NYFC conducts their National Young Farmers survey in order to understand and elevate the issues that matter most to young farmers and aspiring farmers. The result of this survey help to define the organization’s policy goals and agenda. Since they launched the survey website a couple of weeks ago, a couple of thousand farmers have taken the survey, but they still need 3,000 more respondents to reach their goal of 5,000. Let’s go!

Young farmers and ranchers – what are the issues that matter most to you? What policy changes could help your business succeed? Take the National Young Farmers Survey today and let the nation know that FarmersCount! www.youngfarmers.org/survey

NYFC is looking for grain farmers to blog

Apply to be a 2017 Blogger for NYFC

Each year, NYFC recruits a few young farmers to blog about their experience starting a new farm business. Our bloggers chronicle the trials and triumphs of the season and shed light on what it takes to make it in this difficult yet (in our opinion) heroic line of work. In 2017, NYFC is teaming up with King Arthur Flour to share the stories of grain farmers, from seed to harvest for one full season. We’re thrilled to focus on grain, as there is a growing demand for sustainably raised and locally sourced grains but not enough young farmers entering the field to supply it.

Bloggers will receive a stipend and the opportunity to be featured on NYFC’s and King Arthur Flour’s websites and social media channels throughout the project.

Bloggers will write six posts between January 2017 and June 2017, and each farmer will also be featured in a short film produced by NYFC and King Arthur Flour. Filming will take place on the selected farms on dates chosen in collaboration with the farmer between July 2016 and September 2016.

Click here to apply. Deadline is June 28th.

georgia: second annual farmer prom!

MAY 14th, 5pm

Young Farmer Mixer Alert!

Second Annual Farmer Prom 2016
It’s that time of year again!
Your spring-time chance to dress up fancy and boogie down in the barn!
Sparkly dresses are encouraged …and sparkly overalls are EVEN MORE encouraged.

THIS IS A MUTLI-PURPOSE EVENT…
This is our launch party for the Middle Georgia Chapter of National Young Farmer Coalition…
AND the launch of our Middle Georgia Growers Co-op Funding Campaign
($5.00 suggested donation/entry to help us get our FUNd-drive started)

Other notes:
We’ll provide the food!  Bobby and Branson will be baking brick-oven pizzas with lamb from Forest Grove Farm.
Bring whatever you’d like to drink because we all have different tastes (although there will be beer and wine on-hand!)
Come early, stay late, camp out and spend the night!  In fact, camping is encouraged…we’ll be having pancakes in the morning!
There may or may not be prizes….be prepared for fun!

Join the Facebook Event to let us know you’re coming:
https://www.facebook.com/events/634173973397835/

…and email babeandsage@gmail.com if you have questions or need directions!

second annual farmer prom, gordon, ga

Young Farmer Mixer Alert!

Second Annual Farmer Prom 2016
It’s that time of year again!
Your spring-time chance to dress up fancy and boogie down in the barn!
Sparkly dresses are encouraged …and sparkly overalls are EVEN MORE encouraged.

THIS IS A MUTLI-PURPOSE EVENT…
This is our launch party for the Middle Georgia Chapter of National Young Farmer Coalition…
AND the launch of our Middle Georgia Growers Co-op Funding Campaign
($5.00 suggested donation/entry to help us get our FUNd-drive started)

Other notes:
We’ll provide the food!  Bobby and Branson will be baking brick-oven pizzas with lamb from Forest Grove Farm.
Bring whatever you’d like to drink because we all have different tastes (although there will be beer and wine on-hand!)
Come early, stay late, camp out and spend the night!  In fact, camping is encouraged…we’ll be having pancakes in the morning!
There may or may not be prizes….be prepared for fun!

Join the Facebook Event to let us know you’re coming:
https://www.facebook.com/events/634173973397835/

GOOD DIRT premier @ BAM, april 10

GOOD DIRT is a multimedia performance based on real stories from six diverse farm families in the Hudson Valley. Written by Jeremy Davidson and directed by Mary Stuart Masterson of Storyhorse Documentary Theater, GOOD DIRT illustrates the fragility of our agricultural heritage and inspires the audience to rebuild what’s been lost. 

APRIL 10, 2016 // PREMIER
Show starts at 4pm // at the BAM Fisher (Fishman Space)
Cocktail reception at 6pm // at BAM Lepercq Space, 30 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

The proceeds from this event go to support the work of our good friends at the National Young Farmers Coalition.

Buy tickets here!

is farming an act of public service? time to prove it.

National Young Farms Coalition survey graphic

Enter the Young Farmer Success Act, which would extend the student loan debt forgiveness granted to persons in public service by the Higher Education Act of 1965 to full time farmer and farm workers. It’s in the senate now!  What you think? Is farming an act of national service? Then join up with the folks over at FarmingIsPublicService.org.

As Eric Hansen, policy advocate for the NYFC says, “It’s incredibly valuable to invite your member of Congress out to the farm. Show them what you’re doing, what contributions you’re making to your community. You’re providing jobs, you’re producing food, and you’re helping to secure the rural economy. Show them the service you’re providing and explain your own struggle with student loan debt.”

northeast new farmer winter gathering: dec 12

For more information, click HERE!

the young farmer success act of 2015!

Big news from the National Young Farmers Coalition! The Young Farmer Success Act of 2015 (H.R. 2590) has been introduced in the House by Representative Chris Gibson (R-NY) and Representative Joe Courtney (D-CT) with the goal of adding farmers to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Under the program, farmers who make 10 years of income-driven student loan payments would have the balance of their loans forgiven. This program already covers a number of other public service professions, including government service, teaching, and nursing.

Learn more about the bill here.

The Young Farmer Success Act has support from a broad coalition of nearly 100 farming organizations including the National Farmers Union, Future Farmers of America, and Farm Aid.

Now we need your support. 

Send your Representative an email and ask her/him to sign on as a cosponsor of H.R. 2590. To make it fast and easy for you, we’ve drafted sample language and looked up your Representative’s contact information—all you have to do is tell us your zip code.

women dairy farmers: three short films

The National Young Farmers Coalition featured three women who had started dairy farms in 2013. Later, they were shipped goodie bags of film equipment. These videos are the result of that.

Chaseholm Farm

Read Sarah’s blog posts HERE

Golden Yoke Farm

Read Laura’s blog posts HERE

Clover Mead Farm (a neighbor of the Greenhorns!!)

Read Ashlee’s blog posts HERE

attention canadians! your help is needed

A group of young farmers in Canada are trying to create something like the National Young Farmers Coalition. They’re still in the early stages but have just released a survey to learn who the new farmers in Canada are and what they need to be successful.

Survey Info: http://broadforkfarm.com/2015/02/11/new-farmers/

maine’s young farmer alliance

Gathering of Maine’s Young Farmers Alliance!

The next gathering will be held at Grassland Farm in Skowhegan on Saturday May 10th at 5pm. After a round of introductions there will be a farm tour and potluck. Please bring a dish and drinks to share. FMI or to carpool email David Gulak, davidgulak@gmail.com. Grassland Farm is located at 41 Grassland Lane, Skowhegan.

Photo courtesy of Grassland Farm: http://www.grasslandorganicfarm.com/

Maine’s Young Farmer Alliance is a Chapter of NYFC: http://www.youngfarmers.org/

send your hudson valley peeps to the nyfc benefit!

Our cocktail party to benefit NYFC’s work in 2014 is fast approaching! Please join us on Sunday, Dec. 8th (one week from today) at the Red Devon Restaurant in Bangall at5pm for delicious food and drink, beautiful art and good conversation. 

We’re teaming up with the Hudson Valley Seed Library for an exhibit of their spectacular Art of the Heirloomcollection and Jean-Paul Courtens of Roxbury will be joining us to talk about the future of farming in the Valley.

All proceeds will support our work in 2014, including: working with land trusts to make farmland affordable, working with the USDA to reform programs to better target young, organic and diversified growers, and helping young farmers launch new NYFC chapters across the country.

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time here or please rsvp to sophie@youngfarmers.org if you plan to buy your ticket at the door. Farmer tickets are only $25!

nyfc’s new website

Lookin’ great!  Check it out during the next thunderstorm.

http://www.youngfarmers.org/