Resources
Stone Barns sends occasional email communications with helpful resources and links for young and beginning farmers. To be added to this mailing list, email nenaj@stonebarnscenter.org with the subject line “Join Young Farmer E-List.”
Interested young farmers can also join our “Growing Farmers Initiative” Google Group by emailing sbc-growing-farmers@googlegroups.com.
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Young Farmer News: Spring 2010
Dear young farmers,
Spring is in full swing here at Stone Barns. New lambs are born every day, making the barnyard a popular spot for staff and visitors alike, and the propagation bay in our greenhouse is overflowing with seedlings ready to make their way to the vegetable field. Things are percolating up here in the office, too, with new ideas for our Growing Farmers Initiative coming into being – most notably for our apprentice program. More on that to come!
Hill Visits on Beginning Farmer Issues
A quick rundown of our DC visit in early March: Ruth Katz, YFC/Stone Barns alum Andrew Morley, and I headed to Washington, D.C. as part of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition’s (NSAC) beginning farmer fly-in. We met with the staff of various northeast representatives and senators to bring their attention to the issues facing beginning farmers – most notably access to land and credit. We also participated in meetings with staff at the USDA to discuss programs aimed at beginning farmers and the organizations that serve them.
It was eye-opening to say the least. My biggest take-away from the experience was that for the most part, these legislators and USDA staffers have not heard from small-scale and beginning farmers before. They took notes, they asked great questions – they seemed genuinely engaged and interested. Most of all, especially in the case of the USDA folks, they made it clear that they want their programs to work for you and for farmers like you, which brings me to the “what can you do?” part.
NSAC is working on priorities for the 2012 Farm Bill. They’ll be meeting with movers and shakers over the next year to lay out what’s important to their farming constituents. If you have an idea – even just the germ of an idea – forward it to them at beginningfarmer@sustainableagriculture.net.
Part two of the trip was participating in the Drake Forum on Beginning Farmers – more on that next time!
News & Notes
A few odds and ends we thought you should all be aware of are below.
2010 Terra Madre call for Applications
The fourth edition of Slow Food’s Terra Madre conference will be October 21-25, 2010. They are now accepting applications. Terra Madre is an international conference that gathers sustainable food producers, farmers, cooks, educators and activists from around the world to connect and share their stories and traditions, as well as their innovative solutions for keeping small-scale agriculture and sustainable food production alive and well. Delegates come from over 150 countries. Applications are due May 15. Click on the link below for the application: www.slowfoodusa.org/index.php/programs/details/terra_madre_2010_application
Cultivating, Processing and Marketing Herbs and Edible Flowers:
Workshop at Stone Barns
Coming this July! A one-day intensive workshop led by Stone Barns Flower and Herb Manager/Terrace Coordinator Shannon Algiere, focused on this specialized area of production. Learn from Stone Barns growers! Schedule and registration info to come…
Help Wanted: Assistant Farm Manager
Amawalk Farm (Katonah, NY); housing included. For more information, contact Marian Cross at marian@amawalkfarm.org or visit www.amawalkfarm.org
I hope to see you soon – either here at the barns or out on your farms!
-Nena Johnson, Director of Public Programs