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Unit 3: Managing the Farm/Ranch Business for Long-Term Success

(Richard Winnett)

On-Farm Mentoring and Transfer Opportunities

Many beginning farmers, especially those who are new immigrants or come from non-farming backgrounds, do not have access to land through intergenerational farm transfers. This presents considerable barriers to farming: the high cost of land, difficulties obtaining credit and lack of experience. One solution employed by organizations in the sustainable agriculture community has been the development of farm mentoring programs that transfer knowledge and land from a retiring farmer to someone just starting out.

The International Farm Transition Network maintains a web listing of organizations in more than 20 states that facilitate farm transfers by connecting exiting farmers and ranchers with those just starting out. Learn more at IFTN Network.