Promotion of Intergenerational Farm Transfers for Agricultural Sustainability and Farmland Production

Project Overview

EW01-013
Project Type: Professional Development Program
Funds awarded in 2001: $56,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2004
Matching Non-Federal Funds: $34,616.37
Region: Western
State: California
Principal Investigator:
Steve Schwartz
California FarmLink

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Agronomic: corn, oats, rice, wheat, grass (misc. perennial), hay
  • Fruits: apples, apricots, avocados, berries (other), cherries, berries (cranberries), figs, citrus, grapes, melons, olives, peaches, pears, plums, berries (strawberries)
  • Nuts: almonds, walnuts
  • Additional Plants: herbs, ornamentals, trees
  • Animals: bovine, poultry, goats, rabbits, sheep
  • Animal Products: dairy
  • Miscellaneous: mushrooms

Practices

  • Animal Production: feed/forage
  • Education and Training: technical assistance, decision support system, extension, farmer to farmer
  • Farm Business Management: agricultural finance, risk management, whole farm planning
  • Production Systems: holistic management, integrated crop and livestock systems
  • Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities, partnerships, public participation

    Abstract:

    California FarmLink, with project partners, AERO (Montana) and Cascade Harvest Coalition (Washington FarmLink), organized 7 workshops addressing conservation easements in farm transitions serving 247 individuals, exceeding our goal by 47 individuals. These workshops were oriented towards the professionals that serve farmers. Professionals were served in three Western Region states, thereby adding a region to the original proposal.

    These workshops were attended by attorneys, CPAs, financial planners, Co-op extension agents and land conservation professionals. Workshops were held in 5 different regions of California, Montana, and Washington State. Two of the trainings were presented as part of national conferences: the National Farm Transition Network Conference and the Risk Management Agencies National Conference in San Diego.

    In addition, twelve workshops serving 383 individuals (primarily serving farmers, although also including professionals) focused on farm succession planning and farm financing. California FarmLink hosted the annual meeting of the National Farm Transition Network in 2002.

    Project objectives:

    Goals from original proposal are listed with details performance reports on specific objectives from proposal.

    Goal 1: Facilitate understanding and adoption of conservation easements as part of farm transfers among agricultural professionals and producers: through training, printed materials and the Internet distribute information on transferring property for future agricultural production to at least 200 interested agricultural professionals and 200 producers in California and Washington.

    Goal 2: Develop information about techniques regarding maintaining farmland in agricultural production targeting farmers committed to using sustainable cultivation and husbandry techniques: through training, printed materials and the Internet distribute information on transferring property for future sustainable agricultural production to at least 200 interested agricultural professionals and 200 producers.

    Goal 3: Facilitate farm transitions by serving as a one-stop clearinghouse of resources for agricultural professionals and producers seeking information strategies for financing farmland preservation, estate planning, and planning a new farming enterprise.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.