National Farm Viability Conference

Land access models presented at national conferences don’t always apply directly to our particular circumstances at home. A large farm in Vermont is not the same as a large farm in Iowa. Threats to farming range from industrial waste to housing development to dicamba drift, depending on the region of the country. Population density and history determine more than most models consider. People of color, new Americans and the working poor face layers of challenges. Even the definition of “farm” can be radically different. This session provides case studies from a wide variety of organizations adapting different models to help farmers gain access to land. The Sustainable Iowa Land Trust, Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust, Renewing the Countryside and the Latino Economic Development Center will tell their stories of adopting a model and then adapting it to their circumstances.

Learning Objectives:
-What factors should be considered when adopting a land access model?
-Learn tips and tricks for adapting a model
-Gain the ability to recognize the dramatic differences in farming and land access challenges across the country.