FarmLink: A Program of the Countryside Conservancy

1. FarmLink: A Program of the Countryside Conservancy Meredith Poczontek FarmLink Coordinator Good afternoon. My name is Meredith Poczontek and I am the FarmLink Coordinator at the countryside conservancy. Insert bio here*** I first want to talk to you about the organization that I work for and then I�ll get into the specifics of the program you all came here to hear aboutGood afternoon. My name is Meredith Poczontek and I am the FarmLink Coordinator at the countryside conservancy. Insert bio here*** I first want to talk to you about the organization that I work for and then I�ll get into the specifics of the program you all came here to hear about

2. Countryside Conservancy Who We Are Think-and-do tank Encourage civic land use, farming, and food systems in Northeast Ohio NPO located in Summit County and we operate in the 16 counties of Northeast Ohio. We call ourselves a think and do tank because we do more than come up with great ideas. We make them happen. We believe in Civic Agriculture. This involves food production systems closely tied to place, people, and community. Systems relying on local resources, serving local markets and consumers. NPO located in Summit County and we operate in the 16 counties of Northeast Ohio. We call ourselves a think and do tank because we do more than come up with great ideas. We make them happen. We believe in Civic Agriculture. This involves food production systems closely tied to place, people, and community. Systems relying on local resources, serving local markets and consumers.

3. Countryside Conservancy What We Do Focus on key links in the food chain Farmland, farmers, food, community What we do, we work to Connect the dots between the key links in the food chain. Farmland, farmers, food, and community. These things are all connected and you can�t have one without the others. You can preserve farmland but that�s not needed if there are no farmers to farm that preserved land. We can talk all we want about local food but there is no local food without land to grow it on. And we can�t nourish a community if they cannot gather at the table together to talk together over good food. What we do, we work to Connect the dots between the key links in the food chain. Farmland, farmers, food, and community. These things are all connected and you can�t have one without the others. You can preserve farmland but that�s not needed if there are no farmers to farm that preserved land. We can talk all we want about local food but there is no local food without land to grow it on. And we can�t nourish a community if they cannot gather at the table together to talk together over good food.

4. Programs & Initiatives Farmers Markets Countryside Initiative Reading Groups Volunteer Opportunities Festivals Exploring the Small Farm Dream course FarmLink Program We offer programming in the 4 areas of farmland, farmers, food, and community. I�ve listed some of the highlights here. Farmers markets, the Countryside Initiative which involves partnering with the National Park service to rehab and lease the farms in the cuyahoga valley national park. We do a winter reading group, we offer volunteer opportunities in our office, at our markets, and on farms in the area. We host a class called Exploring the Small Farm Dream that helps participants decide if starting a small farm business is right for them. And finally, the FarmLink program. This is a program designed to connect new farmers with retiring farmers to keep the land in agriculture.We offer programming in the 4 areas of farmland, farmers, food, and community. I�ve listed some of the highlights here. Farmers markets, the Countryside Initiative which involves partnering with the National Park service to rehab and lease the farms in the cuyahoga valley national park. We do a winter reading group, we offer volunteer opportunities in our office, at our markets, and on farms in the area. We host a class called Exploring the Small Farm Dream that helps participants decide if starting a small farm business is right for them. And finally, the FarmLink program. This is a program designed to connect new farmers with retiring farmers to keep the land in agriculture.

5. Northeast Ohio Agriculture Over 15,000 farms in NE Ohio (1.8 million acres) 30% of farmers are over age 65 16% of jobs in Ohio are ag related Farming contributes to $73 billion a year to Ohio�s economy Why is a farmlink program needed in Ohio. Why do we care about finding farmers for available farmland? There are a few stats to know about Northeast Ohio. There are over 15,000 farms in NE Ohio equaling more than 1.8 million acres of farmland 1 out of every 3 farmers farming that land is over 65 Research shows that 1 in 6 jobs in Ohio is in agriculture Farming contributes a huge amount of money to Ohio�s economy each year The agriculture sector plays a vital role in Ohio�s land use and economy. For our state, the Countryside Conservancy�s FarmLink program is a crucial link in the chain to future generations of farmers. Since its inception 18 months ago, the FarmLink program has had over 200 inquiries, enrolled 50 participants, and matched two farm owners with new farmers. Why is a farmlink program needed in Ohio. Why do we care about finding farmers for available farmland? There are a few stats to know about Northeast Ohio. There are over 15,000 farms in NE Ohio equaling more than 1.8 million acres of farmland 1 out of every 3 farmers farming that land is over 65 Research shows that 1 in 6 jobs in Ohio is in agriculture Farming contributes a huge amount of money to Ohio�s economy each year The agriculture sector plays a vital role in Ohio�s land use and economy. For our state, the Countryside Conservancy�s FarmLink program is a crucial link in the chain to future generations of farmers. Since its inception 18 months ago, the FarmLink program has had over 200 inquiries, enrolled 50 participants, and matched two farm owners with new farmers.

6. Why FarmLink Not enough new farmers to replace retiring farmers No estate plan Highest dollar value of farmland is for development New farmers can�t find available land There are not enough new farmers to replace retirees. Only 25% of Ohio�s farmers are under the age of 45. So for every young farmer we currently have we need 2 more just to stay even. When retiring farmers have no heir interested in farming and no retirement plan, the easiest and most profitable thing to do is to sell that farmland to a developer. You may think that this is a one-sided problem but there are new farmers looking for land, they just can�t find it. For farm owners that want to keep their land in agriculture they�re not going to list their farm for sale with a realtor. They�ll be inundated with calls from developers. So that land is as good as unavailable to newer farmers.There are not enough new farmers to replace retirees. Only 25% of Ohio�s farmers are under the age of 45. So for every young farmer we currently have we need 2 more just to stay even. When retiring farmers have no heir interested in farming and no retirement plan, the easiest and most profitable thing to do is to sell that farmland to a developer. You may think that this is a one-sided problem but there are new farmers looking for land, they just can�t find it. For farm owners that want to keep their land in agriculture they�re not going to list their farm for sale with a realtor. They�ll be inundated with calls from developers. So that land is as good as unavailable to newer farmers.

7. What FarmLink Matching service Provide networking opportunities Volunteer opportunities Reference for events/workshops/class offered by other organizations Right now FarmLink operates as a matching service. We accept applications from those seeking farmland and landowners and enter the info into our database. Then we match participants based on their compatibility. It is up to the two parties to �Right now FarmLink operates as a matching service. We accept applications from those seeking farmland and landowners and enter the info into our database. Then we match participants based on their compatibility. It is up to the two parties to �

8. How FarmLink Explored other states with similar programs Developed advisory board We looked at other programs around the country and even Canada and patterned our program after theirs. We found that much of We are part of the International Farm Transition Network Our advisory board includes representatives fromWe looked at other programs around the country and even Canada and patterned our program after theirs. We found that much of We are part of the International Farm Transition Network Our advisory board includes representatives from

9. FarmLink Success Susan and Jessica Bill and Elyse Susan was one of our farm owners. She farms 50 acres in Medina County and was looking for some young blood to come out and help with the work on her organic farm. Jessica had a few years of organic farming experience and was looking to expand her urban garden in Cleveland. Now they work together and sell produce at local farmers� markets. Bill farms 90 acres of corn and hay in Geauga County and has no heirs. He was looking for someone to lease a 5 acre parcel in exchange for some help with his operation. Elyse was looking to get into organic farming and connected with Bill at our Speed dating workshop. She now rents a separate house on Bill�s property, grows organic produce, and helps Bill during hay season. We know we�re only scratching the surface with these first links but the need is there and we�re pleased to have made a startSusan was one of our farm owners. She farms 50 acres in Medina County and was looking for some young blood to come out and help with the work on her organic farm. Jessica had a few years of organic farming experience and was looking to expand her urban garden in Cleveland. Now they work together and sell produce at local farmers� markets. Bill farms 90 acres of corn and hay in Geauga County and has no heirs. He was looking for someone to lease a 5 acre parcel in exchange for some help with his operation. Elyse was looking to get into organic farming and connected with Bill at our Speed dating workshop. She now rents a separate house on Bill�s property, grows organic produce, and helps Bill during hay season. We know we�re only scratching the surface with these first links but the need is there and we�re pleased to have made a start

10. Shortcomings Want to do more besides introduce parties Want to find more experienced new farmers Need to market the program more aggressively

11. Future Direction Strategic marketing New website Increased funding Added farm business planner to advisory board Recruiting more experienced farm seekers

12. Contact Us www.cvcountryside.org Farmlink@cvcountryside.org