Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: Ruhf, K.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
Land For Good
29 Center Street
Keene, NEW HAMPSHIRE 03431

ACCESS TO LAND FOR NEW ENGLAND`S BEGINNING FARMERS: PHASE 2

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Access to land is one of the biggest challenges for beginning farmers in New England and nationally. For our region's agriculture to thrive into the future, land must be available, affordable, secure, equitable and "findable." The long-term goal of this project is for more New England beginning farmers to successfully access land to farm in order to start or expand their farm businesses. The Land Access Project, Phase 2 follows from a previous 3-year initiative led by Land For Good (LFG). In this project, LFG, its partners and 40 collaborating organizations and agencies will enable over 2,000 farmers to access land or achieve more secure tenure.Our project goals are:Beginning farmers are better prepared to access land to farmMore farms are transferred by exiting farmers to beginning farmersBeginning farmers are better able to find and evaluate farm properties and connect with landownersProfessionals and farmers have new information about innovative land access approaches and methodsStronger programs help new and other farmers access land and improve the conditions for farmland access in New England.Coordinated teams and task forces will produce curricula and conduct educational activities such as over two dozen workshops, a "Succession School," and leasing clinics. LFG will "coach" beginning farm seekers and transitioning farmers. We will improve farm link programs and increase their use. We will produce new tools including an online "build-a-lease" tool and model legal language for farmland-related transactions. We will promote gradual transfers between farmers without successors and entering farmers. Experts will investigate innovative and best practices, including alternative land financing and affordable farmer housing. With partners, we will organize and host a national conference to share learnings and build land access and transfer programs to help beginning farmers access land in all regions.

OBJECTIVES: The major goals of this project are:1. Beginning farmers (BFs) have more knowledge, information and skills to access land or improve land tenure Objectives are:A) Educate 700 BFs about land access strategies and options; B) Empower over 1,000 BFs to make informed land access decisions; and C) "Coach" 100 BFs to access land to farm.2. Farms are more effectively transferred to beginning farmers. Objectives are:A) Develop new farm succession planning resources for 2,000 users; and B) Educate, empower and support at least 50 farmers to plan for succession.3. BFsidentify farm properties and connect with landowners. Objectives are:A) Double farm listings and improve the usability of farm link services; and B) Increase visibility and use of farm link services.4. Service providers help beginning farmers with new information about land access innovations. Objectives are:A) Educate 1,000 professionals about farmland access innovations; and B) Produce and distribute at least 4 land access best practice resources to 600 BFs.5. Stronger programs assist beginning farmers to access land in New England and nationally. objectives are:A) Educate and train at least 360 BFs through state teams; and B) Build the knowledge, skills and networks of at least 400 professionals to deliver land access and farm transfer services in the region and nationally.

APPROACH: This project is structured around five task forces, each of which is assigned a project goal. Approximately 40 collaborating organizations will populate the task forces to conduct the activities and achieve project objectives. Depending on the goal, teams will design and conduct workshops, courses and trainings, develop educational materials, guide IT consultants in website development and upgrades, and conduct research and investigation. In addition, core staff will provide ongoing consulting, technical assistance and "coaching" with beginning farmers, transitioning farm families, landowners and communities. Service providers in each of our six states will coordinate to improve and develop land access services through implementation of a three-year work plan supported by this project. Activities might include events, new programs to make public land available for farming, etc. Work is overseen by project staff, an advisor group of beginning farmers and an evaluation consultant.Evaluation methods are geared to each goal. They include initial and post-event surveys of participants, interviews (stories), internal (LFG) tracking protocols, website analytics, project collaborator surveys, pre- and post quizes at workshops and courses, and evaluator scan and analysis. Milestones are linked to project objectives and timeline. for example, how many beginning farmers attended workshops in each year of the project, plus steps they've taken after the workshop to acquire land to farm, tracked over the remaining time of the project.

PROGRESS: 2015/09 TO 2018/08
Target Audience:The target audience for this project was predominantly beginning farmers in New England who are seeking land or more secure tenure. In addition, we targeted transitioning farmers and service providers who work with beginning and transitioning farmers in New England and nationally. We include all types of beginning farmers. Changes/Problems:We made some modifications to the activities proposed in our application. For example, based on strong feedback from collaborators, we produced the Farm Access Methods Guide as one product, rather than several discreet tools. We added an unplanned guide for urban land access in response to provider requests. The cross-training for attorneys and other succession advisors was not originally proposed. It was so well-received that we have proposed to do another one in the next year. Overall, we are increasing our response rates to various user surveys, but this is an inherent challenge given the diversity of activities and large numbers reached in this project. Staff capacity and technical obstacles with our website delayed the launch of the online Build-A-Lease Tool. A few other products were not released until near the end of the project, so we could not collect meaningful user data. Lastly, in terms of outreach, changes made by Google to the terms of our AdWords grant reduced the effectiveness and efficiency of our planned online outreach in Year Three. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project organized and conducted a two-day, regional cross-disciplinary training for 60 attorneys, farm financial planners and other succession planning advisors. CLE credits were offered. Presentation and discussion topics included entity formation, tax law, conservation easements, and gifting, for example. From the instructional materials, we produced an online attorney advisor compendium which is a technical tool for attorneys doing this work. In cooperation with USDA and with a national planning team, LFG organized and hosted the Changing Lands, Changing Hands national conference in2017 for over 220 attendees from 40 states. From that, we produced a compendium of policy and program suggestions compiled at the event. Participants rated the conference and compendium highly (92% scored them good or excellent). Their responses included: I gained knowledge, information and/or resources valuable for my work on these issues. I learned about successful and innovative practices, programs and policies. I feel more competent and skilled to work on farm and ranch access, tenure and/or succession. I am more inspired and energized to advance this work. I expanded my circles for networking and collaboration. We held three project convenings for at least 40 New England professionals from six states to network, and to share information, work on project activities. and set objectives and activities for their states. The project web pages, 5 newsletters, and 35 blogposts kept collaborators informed and engaged. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results are disseminated via: a) a project e-newsletter; b) an organization e-newsletter; c) 35blogposts; d) email blasts; e) articles in general press and agriculture publications; and f) project webpage. Our project and related stakeholder interest database has over 700 organizations, agencies and groups, not including our dataset of farmer and landowner beneficiaries. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

IMPACT: 2015/09 TO 2018/08
What was accomplished under these goals? Goal I. Educate 700 BFs about land access strategies and options: Through new online tools and 144 events we educated 983 BF trainees. 75% reported being more knowledgeable and informed about land access and more prepared to enter into appropriate and rewarding land tenure situations. At least 67 BFs successfully secured land to start or grow their operations. Empower over 1,000 BFs to make informed land access decisions. The Acquiring Your Farm online tutorial, registered over 9,600 users. 90% of survey reported it had a practical benefit for them; 70% said they would recommend the tutorial to others. This resulted in an increase in BF confidence to make good land tenure decisions and to successfully acquire land. Coach 100 BFs to access land to farm. At least 209 BF seekers received direct 1:1 technical support and "coaching" from LFG staff. Of those completing surveys, 90% reported learning new ideas and resources, 75% said they could better identify their next steps, and 80% reported increased confidence taking them. Goal II. Develop new farm succession planning resources for 2,000 users. The improved Farm Transfer Network of New England added about a dozen new providers. The site was visited by 7,330 users during the project, a traffic increase of 132% over the previous year. Our business life cycle transitions chart was used in workshops and with farm clients to encourage transitions planning throughout the farmer's career.Project collaborators prioritized training resources for providers over materials for farmers. A cross-profession training on succession advising resulted in 94% satisfaction with their learnings. An attorney training compendium improves the technical skills of attorneys who do succession advising. 93% of providers reported an increase in knowledge and 87% increased confidence to help farmers. For farmers, the outcome is more support to complete succession plans and transactions. Educate, empower and support at least 50 farmers to plan for succession. 732 farmers were educated in 34 succession workshops. 26 farmers developed plans at 6 Farm Succession Schools. 99 farmers advanced their succession planning with 1:1 LFG coaching assistance. Of those, 70% of gained a greater understanding of relevant issues, 88% identified next steps , 86% were willing to transfer to a new farmer-owner, and 77% were more confident in taking next steps. As a result, 57 farmers developed plans for succession; 25 plan to transfer to transfer to BFs. Goal III. Double farm listings and improve farm link services. Property postings increased by 37% over the previous three years on the New England Farmland Finder website. Farm link programs improved their collaboration. The outcomes are: more "findable" properties; more engaged landowners; more connections between seekers and landowners; and higher likelihood of successful transactions. Increase visibility and use of farm link programs. A new property posting guide improves the effectiveness of listings on our farm link site which had over 145,000 site users (as measured by site analytics), an increase of 45% over Year Two. Among farm seeker users surveyed, 50% reported an improved ability to find resources and services for their search, and 50% reported improved ability to search for and assess farm properties. Goal IV. Educate 1,000 professionals about farmland access innovations. A comprehensive "Farm Access Methods Guide" is useful for BF trainers and advisors. 60 attorneys and others providers received cross-training on farm succession, and a forum for 30 professionals on affordable farmer housing produced more informed and confident professionals assisting BFs with land access, resulting in better decisions and more secure tenure for them. Produce and distribute at least 4 land access best practice resources to 600 BFs. A guide to land access in urban settings responded to a gap in educational materials for diverse farming audiences. Our "Farm Access Methods Guide" and decision tool details land access methods in a "property interests" framework. A 2.0 version of Acquiring Your Farm, an online tutorial, registered over 9,600 users during the project. 90% of surveyed users reported that the tutorial had a practical benefit for them and 70% would recommend the tutorial to others. A new online interactive Build-a-Lease tool, with over 50 new FAQs and 12 fact sheets was among over 900 downloads of seeker-related educational materials. The outcomes include more informed, educated and confident BFs in accessing secure tenure. Goal V. Educate and train at least 360 BFs through state teams. Approximately 40 SPs actively participated on state "teams" that delivered a total of 144 workshops, mixers and presentations to seekers, landowners and transitioning farmers, averaging 24 events per state. Over a dozen new SPs joined the FTNNE website. In some states, the project supported and participated in land access work groups or committees which promote public policies to improve BF land access and farm transfers, seek to improve agricultural easements for farmer security and affordability, and conduct landowner outreach, for example. The outcomes include a total of 2,062 BFs who make more informed decisions about land access and improved conditions for BF land access through more educated and supported farming and non-farming landowners. Build the knowledge, skills and networks of at least 400 professionals to deliver land access and farm transfer services in the region and nationally. In three annual project convenings, The outcomes include more informed, connected and energized SPs across the nation, thereby

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2015/09 TO 2018/08
No publications reported this period.

PROGRESS: 2016/09/01 TO 2017/08/31
Target Audience:The target audience for this project period was predominantly beginning farmers in New England who are seeking land or more secure tenure. However, we also targeted transitioning farmers and service providers who work with beginning and transitioning farmers in New England and nationally. We target all types of beginning farmers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?We designed and conducted a two-day cross-disciplinary training on farm succession planning for 60 attorneys and other advisors. We hosted a two-day national conference on farm and ranch access, tenure and transfer in June 2017 for 220 providers, policymakers and advocates. We held our second project convening where over 40 collaborators shared their work on land access and beginning farmers, and worked on project task forces. We are assembling a desk reference for attorneys on farm succession planning. We conduct monthly professional development sessions with our field agents at which we either present on a priority topic or do a case clinic. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results are disseminated via: a) a project e-newsletter; b) an organization e-newsletter; c) regular blogposts; d) email blasts; e) articles in general press and agriculture publications; and f) project webpage. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Hold Succession School in three states Host final project convening Upload and disseminate national conference report Produce Year 3 educational materials e.g., tenure methods decision tool and guide Produce Succession Advisor desk reference Hold Year 3 workshops in six states Provide continued 1:1 advising to BF farm seekers, landowners and transitioning farmers Administer final evaluations

IMPACT: 2016/09/01 TO 2017/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? During this reporting period, 146 farm seekers, 103 landowners and 45 transitioning farmers received direct assistance from LFG. Over 75% reported increased confidence to take next steps and 87% were satisfied with our assistance. Our Acquiring Your Farm online tutorial registered over 1,000 users, 94% of whom said our materials were helpful for their situation. Eighty-five percent said they would recommend the tutorial to others. Nearly 2,000 farm seekers, landowners and transitioning farmers, along with service providers attended about 80 different events in the region, plus one national conference. Ninety-three percent reported being better prepared to take next steps. Our Changing Lands, Changing Hands national conference was organized in cooperation with USDA, drawing 220 service providers, agency personnel and advocates from 40 states. We updated the New England Farmland Finder website and formed the New England Farm Link Collaborative. We migrated the Farm Transfer Network of New England website to a new platform, updated resources and recruited new providers. We produced a property posting guide for farm link users and a land tenure decision tool. Downloads of our educational materials increased in Year Two by 300%. We held a two-day cross-disciplinary farm succession advisor training for 60 attorneys and other professionals. We developed 52 new FAQs on land access and tenure. Our second project convening brought 50 service providers to share their work and collaborate on project task forces.

PUBLICATIONS: 2016/09/01 TO 2017/08/31
1. Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: How to Create an Effective Property Posting for Farm Link Websites
2. Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: Tenure Methods Decision Tool
3. Type: Other Status: Other Year Published: 2017 Citation: FAQs about Agricultural Lease Agreements

PROGRESS: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
Target Audience:The primary target audiencereached by our efforts during this reporting period is beginning farmers in New England. More specifically, this audience is beginning farmers who are seeking to acquire land through various means, or to improve their tenure situation. Additional target audiences reached during this period include transitioning (retiring) farmers, farmland owners, and service providers who work with these audiences around land access and transfer. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The Project convening engaged nearly 50 professionals to build state and regional capacity to deliver land access and transfer programming. During this reporting period, LFG held 24 events targeted to service providers to build their skills and networks to help BFs access land or senior farmers transition to BFs. Project Task Forces are comprised of professionals. Many pledged inkind labor to the project and have undertaken assignments such as research on specific tenure innovations toward a publication, surveying farm link programs, and designing a succession advisor Continuing Legal Education accredited training program for New England attorneys. Others have contributed to a Succession School curriculum development and delivery. Within LFG, field staff have received monthly professional development modules, and two multi-day training retreats. In addition, field agents receive ongoing clinical supervision. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?To date, the project has disseminated: two project newsletters to collaborators, partners and interested others; one LFG newsletter to broader audiences that describes the project; one hard-copy mailing with project news and results to date; 8 blogposts; 2 social media posts; and a project page on the LFG website. In addition, we did three hard copy mailings, 3 email blasts and 11 social medial posts to promote the upcoming Succession School (Year Two). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period we will conduct at least 30 additional educational events, and continue with individual technical assistance to beginning farmers, transitioning farmers and landownrs. We will conduct the Succession School. We will hold a two-day professional training for succession advisors. We will proceed with the innovations research and publication. We will hold an annual project convening and a national conference in partnership with USDA. We will redesign New England Farmland Finder and Farm Transfer Network of New England websites. We will implement a branding and outreach campaign for farm link services. We will launch the online Acquiring Your Farm educational tool.

IMPACT: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
What was accomplished under these goals? During this reporting period, beginning farmers and related target audience members gained knowledge, information and/or skills through project activities as follows: Sixty-sevenfarm seekers received advice and information via 1:1 assistance from LFG field staff. In addition, 21 transitioning farmers received 1:1 TA, and 31 landowners received 1:1 TA from LFG. During the reporting period, 1,205 BF farm seekers gained information, advice and resources from 45 workshops and presentations conducted by LFG and at least 36 collaborators in state teamsacross New England. Approximately 800 beginning and aspiring farmers registered for LFG's online Acquiring Your Farm 7-module tutorial. Of those responding to our evaluation survey, 88% said the information would help them. Said one, "I will never rid myself of this invaluable tool. Thanks so much for [putting] this together for us." Three hundred farm seekers, 92 transitioning farmers and 238 landowners downloaded informational materials; of these materials, nearly 300 pertained to farm leasing. Ninety-seven percent of survey respondents said that the materials provided useful information and resources. " The material was very helpful. I learned a great deal and feel better prepared to take next steps in purchasing farmland. Thanks." "Your site and information were very user-friendly and helpful." New England Farmland Finder doubled its property listings from 70 to 141 during this first project year.

PUBLICATIONS: 2015/09/01 TO 2016/08/31
No publications reported this period.