New CT Farmer Alliance

We KNOW y'all have some great farm stories out there 🧐

Join us after the CT NOFA Conference for a storytelling social hour hosted by NCTFA!

Cabbage Moth Storytelling Hour on March 23 at 6pm at the Windham Textile Museum (a short drive from the conference) with food and beverages.

And make sure you register for the CT NOFA - see you there!
https://ctnofa.org/winter-conference/2024-winter-conference/

Thanks to everyone who attended and participated in the NCTFA Farmer Roundtable series this fall! We have so much expertise and generosity in our farmer community. Lots of gratitude to Yoko, Steve, Jill, and Will for leading the roundtables!

Recordings of all the sessions are now available on our Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9E-KhkgZ2mLl91KvJp49pQ4TyvtH6G4m

Assawaga Farm
Massaro Community Farm of Woodbridge, CT
Hungry Reaper Farm

This program was funded by the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program.

Can't wait to see y'all at our annual Fall Shindig at The Hickories! RSVP here: bit.ly/FallShindig23

🌮 Featuring food from Baja Cocina, baked goods from Ross Bread, beer from Nod Hill Brewery

🎁 Raffle prizes from High Mowing Organic Seeds, NewSylum Brewing Company, Bailey's Backyard and New England Brewing Co.

Check out what else we have in store:

🌱 2:30pm: Tour of The Hickories Seed Cleaning Equipment
🛠 3:30pm: Toolshare Network Launch
🌦 4:00pm: Climate Smart Grant Info Session

Sunday, October 15th: 2-5pm
The Hickories
136 Lounsbury Rd, Ridgefield, CT 06877
Free childcare available

Thank you to The Hickories Farm for hosting!

We love this resource for trans farmers! 🌸

Trans Farmers for Trans Farmers is a trans-led organization dedicated to cultivating connection, community, and opportunity among trans people farming.

They are building a dynamic community of trans people farming in the US and beyond. Focused on support, connection, and resiliency of land and body, they invite all trans farmers to join.

Check out more resources, pursue their cute zine, and join their Discord on their website here: https://www.tf4tf.org/

Join us for our annual end-of-the-season shindig at The Hickories!

🍁 Sunday, October 15th: 2-5pm
🐑 The Hickories
📍 136 Lounsbury Rd, Ridgefield, CT 06877
👋 RSVP here: bit.ly/FallShindig23

Unwind with your fellow farmers after the hustle and bustle of the busy season.

There will be beer, plenty of food, non-alcoholic bevs, and the chance to connect with other NCTFA members!

Whether you've just joined NCTFA or been a member for years, we can't wait to see you there.

There will be a raffle and activities, and free childcare available.

Thank you to The Hickories for hosting!

It’s a very exciting moment for our for the Future campaign and the fight for more equitable for young and BIPOC farmers!

Last week, U.S. Senator Tina Smith introduced the Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act (S.2340) in the Senate, a companion to the bipartisan version of the bill introduced in the House (H.R.3955). If enacted, these bills would make $100M of funding for available to young and BIPOC farmers every year through the 2023 Farm Bill.

“This bill is exactly the kind of leadership we need from Congress in addressing this barrier head on, elevating the importance of local leadership, and delivering material benefits for historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and forest owners,” says Holly Rippon-Butler, Land Campaign Director.

These policies are now in both chambers of Congress - it’s time to take action! Contact your Members of Congress to let them know young and BIPOC farmers need and to include these asks in the 2023 .

youngfarmers.quorum.us/campaign/LASOact

Climate change is wreaking havoc on farms—and exacerbating a mental health crisis for farmers Farmers have long faced high su***de rates. The Farm Bill brings mental health assistance programs and resources.

The Farm Bill could address climate change and structural racism The legislation has strayed far from its initial model of labor-minded price floors and supply management to creep into the corners of federal institutions where structural racism thrives

CT farmers: Connecticut Department of Agriculture is trying to determine the extent of damage that the recent rains and flooding have caused on CT farms. They're asking producers to share estimated losses with them through an online reporting tool. Learn more and find the reporting tool here: https://mailchi.mp/ct.gov/july2023floodimpact?e=146be044d3

Happy to see some great NCTFA members highlighted in this article :)

In Bridgeport, urban farming continues to grow despite challenges While access to land can be prohibitive for some would-be urban farmers in Bridgeport, a...

Financial Assistance Application Process Opens for USDA Farm Loan Borrowers Who Have Faced Discrimination WASHINGTON, July 7, 2023 – Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the opening of the financial assistance application process for eligible farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. Section 22007 ...

Two new jobs up on our site!

Available Farm Jobs | New CT Farmers

Check out this new podcast on the ups and downs of being a farmer!

Podcast 1: Money and Financial Security
Podcast 2: Farm and Family Dynamics
Podcast 3: Connection to the Land
Podcast 4: Succession Planning and Farm Legacy
Podcast 5: Managing Change/Uncertainty
Podcast 6: Grief and Loss
Podcast 7: Building Resilience, Creativity and Innovation

Mending Our Fences Podcast Released to Address Farmer Stress | College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Though the stories may feel familiar, each episode sheds light on sticky farming issues, and as a group we explore what makes it hard to talk about that topic and identify some solutions.

We are SO excited to see the CT Department of Agriculture on this list of organizations who will receive funding to support underserved farmers in accessing land!

Thrilled to have a small role in this program which will directly support farmers of color in accessing equitable leases and purchasing farmland.

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the recipients of the Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program. This first-of-its-kind program was created to provide funding to projects that will increase for underserved farmers. This funding will support 50 projects across the country, which speaks to the diversity of need and creativity of community-led solutions.

: https://www.youngfarmers.org/2023/06/release-usda-announces-recipients-of-first-of-increasing-land-access-program/

A gorgeous day and nearly 50 attendees made for a wonderful Spring Shindig 😊

So grateful to our farmer community for coming together at this busy time of year to celebrate and support one another.

Thanks to Sub Edge Farm for hosting and Shell & Bones Oyster Bar and Grill, Hawk Ridge Winery, and CT Greenhouse Company for donating prizes for our raffle!

Keep an eye out for many more NCTFA events over the summer...final calendar coming soon!!

We are excited to see one of these food centers funded in the Northeast to the tune of $30 million!!

This new regional food business center will support small farmers and food business with technical assistance and capacity building.

NCTFA was part of advocating for a food business center in our region. We can't wait to see what CT farmers do with these new opportunities 🙂

USDA’s new food centers designed to boost smaller farms and food businesses | Food and Environment Reporting Network In a bid to strengthen local and regional food systems and help small and midsized farms and food businesses reach new markets and resources, the USDA is creating a dozen new regional food centers…

Join us at the NCTFA Spring Shindig on May 21 at Sub Edge Farm !

The Spring Shindig is our annual opportunity to connect and support each other before the season sweeps us all away into our own endless to-do lists!

There will be delicious pupusas from Cocina de Sandra, a farm tour, a raffle, free drinks, and more.

You don't have to be a new farmer to join the fun. Just interested in connecting with your fellow growers!

Please RSVP on eventbrite so we know how many people to expect!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/628795473187

The New CT Farmer Alliance Spring Shindig Join the New CT Farmer Alliance for our annual Spring Shindig!

CT NOFA Seeks Mentors and Mentees for TOPP - CT NOFA As part of the next phase of TOPP (Transition to Organic Partnership Program), CT NOFA is actively seeking potential mentors and mentees for the program. What is TOPP? TOPP is a coalition of organizations from throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region which are partnering to provide technical...

🚨🚨 New job listing alert! 🚨🚨

Elm City Montessori is hiring a Farm and Facilities manager.

Check it out on our job site!

https://www.newctfarmers.com/jobs

Want to see your available farm job listed on here? Email us at [email protected].

Available Farm Jobs | New CT Farmers

To , we must invest in .

The future of every young farmer in our country is threatened by . According to the results of our 2022 National Young Farmer Survey, almost 75% of young farmers reported experiencing at least one climate impact on their farm in the past year. Unpredictable weather, more severe storms, increased pest pressure and disease, and increased uncertainty in the water supply threaten the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers across the country, and around the world.

It is also these same young and BIPOC farmers who are working hard to build solutions to the . 83% of survey respondents told us that “one of their farm’s primary purposes for existing is engaging in or .” The next generation of farmers needs legislative support so that they can be resourced to continue adopting climate-resilient practices.

Today on , we call on you to join us in asking Congress to deliver a that prioritizes and meets the needs of young and BIPOC farmers. We must act now! Join us: p2a.co/2023farmbill

Cultivemos, the network for farmer well-being, is hosting an interpretation, translation, and workshop for agricultural communities of the Northeast. The application is available in Q’eqchi’, Spanish, and English.

Learn more and apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPyY7Ci04lIC4tIFP0yKRxQ33pl-8Q3wu2MKP2hyxsFp7Ewg/viewform

The Southern New England Farmers of Color Collaborative (SNEFCC) is now offering another course on land access for BIPOC farmers in CT, MA and RI. In this course, students will learn about the history of the land and the original people in Southern New England, how we can steward the land in ways that uphold our values, and how to evaluate farmland for farm enterprises. Students will learn about alternative and creative models for gaining access to land that may allow them to start farming soon even if they cannot afford to purchase a farm on their own. Students will begin to develop knowledge and skills to navigate the rules, regulations, and systems that affect agriculture. And they will learn about how they can influence local, state and federal policies that impact their access to land.

There is a lot to learn over the course of 7 weeks. The class will meet live, online, every Tuesday from 5:30pm to 7pm, starting on May 9 and ending on June 20. Students will have access to pre-recorded video presentations on these topics so that class time is devoted to discussion and answering their specific questions. They will also have an opportunity to meet some great farmers of color in New England who will share how they started farming. Plus they will develop a personal network of other farmers just like them in CT, MA and RI.

To allow for in depth discussions with all participants, enrollment is limited. Everyone who is interested is encouraged to apply because SNEFCC plans to offer this course again in the near future. You can apply using this link:

https://forms.gle/ZfN12VCRY68WkCqV6

Please note that the deadline for applications is May 1. Because SNEFCC received some additional funding related to COVID relief, we are able to offer students a stipend of $160 to attend this course. If you have any additional questions, please contact them at [email protected].

‘They just need land’: young farmers struggle to find affordable acreage A new generation explores alternative models and hopes for new legislation to counter record-high land prices

It's almost time for our annual Town Hall with the Department of Agriculture!

This year's town hall will be April 27, 6pm-7:30pm. From 6-6:30pm there will be an optional presentation from DoAg. The Q&A will start at 6:30pm.

Submit a question when you register, and we'll choose 3-4 of them to start off our discussion.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pc-irqT0tH9be1GnKU1pcSMHNbA3siUQS

This Wednesday, NCTFA connected with dozens of legislators at Ag Day at the Capitol!

Focus on farmers | Connecticut Agricultural Day returns to State Capitol A celebration, “from the ground to The Sound.”

Check out the newest post on our policy blog! We're highlighting the school meals for all and farm to school campaigns led by End Hunger CT and the Farm To School Collaborative.

Follow along and write to your legislators to support nutritious local food in CT public schools!

Two bills to watch: Connecticut Farmers and Children Can Thrive Together Two Bills to Watch: Connecticut Farmers and Children Can Thrive Together by Caitlin Chung On February 7, the Connecticut State Senate held a public hearing for Senate Bill 929 which will go up for vote soon. The bill has a simple goal: to ensure that free school meals for all of Connecticut’s scho...

Our nation’s agricultural industry is ripe for change! 🍎

The 2023 will dictate farm policy for the next decade. With listening sessions under way and a tentative vote slated for September, now is the time to raise our voices for the next generation of farmers.

Our for the Future campaign calls to equitably transition one million acres of farmland to young and BIPOC farmers through the 2023 Farm Bill. Learn more and get involved here: p2a.co/land

Farmers for Climate Action Rally in Washington Reminiscent of 1979 Tractorcade The upcoming Farmers for Climate Action march in D.C. scheduled for March 6-8 passes the torch and recalls a history of agrarian activism.

*PLEASE SHARE* Feel free to tag your favorite farmer's, crafters, artisans, makers and bakers if you think they'd like to participate in the farmer's market!

Now accepting new vendor applications.

Find the 2023 season application on our website www.nectfarmersmarket.org

The marketing committee has lots of exciting things planned for this season including raffle basket giveaways, scavenger hunts, door prizes, featured vendor giveaways and lots more!

Many of our participating vendors accept SNAP/EBT and ALL of our produce vendors are certified to accept WIC and FMNP SENIOR vouchers too. We also accept Daily Bread and Friends of Assisi vouchers.

Apply today!