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INVESTIGATOR: Rippon-Butler, H. M.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
NATIONAL YOUNG FARMERS COALITION, INC
228 WARREN ST
HUDSON, NEW YORK 12534

LAYING THE GROUNDWORK: A LAND AFFORDABILITY CALCULATOR & NATIONAL LAND ACCESS TRAINING SERIES TO HELP THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS SUCCEED

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: In the next two decades, more than two-thirds of privately held U.S. farmland will change hands, creating great potential opportunity for beginning farmers. Many of these are first-generation farmers from non-farm backgrounds, who need support to determine how land tenure decisions will impact the financial health of their farm businesses. Although there are a number of financial planning tools available, none are specifically focused on financial decision-making for land access.The overarching goal for this BFRDP Standard Project is to enable beginning farmers and ranchers across the country to make informed financial decisions during the process of accessing land so that they will have a solid framework on which to build strong, sustainable farm businesses.This project will allow farmers throughout the country to navigate land access options--including long-term leases, land trust partnerships, mission-driven farmland investor opportunities, and traditional farm loans. The project would create an interactive Land Affordability Calculator Tool (both online and print workbook versions), and include a series of 10 webinars and 8 in-person trainings. The project resources will reach thousands of beginning farmers through our extensive email, social media and partner networks. We will measure the success of the project by demonstrating improved financial literacy of project participants. Additional project partners include Fathom Information Design, Equity Trust, CA FarmLink, Dirt Capital Partners, the Carrot Project, Land for Good, Local Farms Fund, RSF Social Finance, Farm Credit East, the Farm Credit Council, as well as individual farmers, and others.

OBJECTIVES: The overarching goal for this BFRDP Standard Project is to enable beginning farmers and ranchers across the country to make informed financial decisions during the process of accessing land so that they will have a solid framework on which to build strong, sustainable farm businesses.This proposal addresses the following BFRDP priority topics:(C) Entrepreneurship and business training;(D) Financial and risk management training; and,(K) Assisting beginning farmers or ranchers in acquiring land from retiring farmers and ranchers.We aim to achieve this by providing farmers with an interactive tool along with in-person and online educational opportunities to help them analyze the financial implications of their land access decisions. With this tool, farmers will be able to evaluate the questions such as the following in a simple, visual format that allows them to see impacts over time and links them with resources:QuestionsFactors1. What will my monthly payment be based on:1a. Acreage, purchase price, down payment, length of loan, interest rate, taxes, maintenance, insurance, FSA loan terms, federal beginning farmer programs2. How might the following affect my payments:2a. Farmland conservation: Working Farm Easement, Conservation Easement, Ground leasing and other options2b. Working with a mission-driven investor3. Is buying a good decision based on:3a. Anticipated monthly income3b. Comparison with rental & other opportunitiesWe estimate that as a result of this project, more than 120,000 beginnings farmers and ranchers in all fifty states will access in-depth financial decision-making resources. We will track project outcomes and farmer success through quantitative and qualitative evaluation metrics over the three-year project. The outcomes and deliverables of our project will be shared widely with partners through our regional and national networks.Objective 1: Provide all farmers with an interactive decision-making tool to help them assess the basic financial implications of buying or renting land, as well as the financing, conservation, and investment opportunities that may make land more affordable.Objective 2. Teach farmers how to use the Land Access Affordability Calculator, and educate farmers on financing, conservation, and investment variables/opportunities.Objective 3. Coach beginning farmers and ranchers on the financial implications of land access decisions with in-person meetings and regional experts.

APPROACH: Project PeriodProject Partners ResponsibleActivities/OutputsObjective 1: Provide all farmers with an interactive decision-making tool to help them assess the basic financial implications of buying or renting land, as well as the financing, conservation, and investment opportunities that may make land more affordable. YEAR 1Sep 2016-Dec 2016Land Access Program Director, Executive DirectorRecruit and hire Land Access Program AssociateSep 2016-Dec 2016Land Access Program Director & Associate; National Field Director; All Project PartnersSolicit nominations and Select Peer Advisory CommitteeJan 2017-April 2017Land Access Program Manager & Associate; Peer Advisors; Calculator Core PartnersConduct one in-person partner working group meeting to solicit input on variables, data, format and distribution of the Land Affordability Calculator ToolJan 2017-April 2017Graphic Designer/Programmer; Communications Director; Land Access Program Manager & Associate; Executive Director- Complete NYFC website redesign of youngfarmers.org to accommodate Land Affordability Calculator Tool- Develop project brandingMay 2017 Land Access Program Director & Associate; Executive Director; Communications Director; Fathom key personnelConduct initial strategy meeting with NYFC staff and FathomMay 2017-Aug 2017Land Access Program Manager & Associate Land Access Program Director & Associate; Executive Director; Communications Director; Fathom key personnel; Calculator Core Partners- Conduct bi-weekly project coordination phone calls- Maintain ongoing dialogue with project partners regarding data and underlying algorithm August 2017FathomBuild out two iterations of Calculator 1.0August 2017NYFC staff; Calculator Core PartnersReview and comment on Calculator 1.0 iterationsMay 2017-Aug 2017Independent EvaluatorDevelop Calculator user survey to evaluate experience, impact and gather feedbackMay 2017-Aug 2017Land Access Program Director & Associate; Communications Director; Graphic DesignerCreate and design print workbook version of the Land Access CalculatorYEAR 2Sep 2017Fathom key personnelFinalize and launch Land Access Calculator 1.0Sep 2017-Dec 2017Communications Director; National Field DirectorConduct targeted outreach campaign to promote Land Access Calculator launch:- Press release and contact key media influencers- Blog post and content featured prominently on homepage of youngfarmers.org- Email all NYFC supporters- Promote tool across social media channels- Engage our outreach partners by sending pre-written messaging to share through their communications channels- Announce launch to chapter leadersJan 2018-Aug 2018Communications Director; National Field DirectorCreate blog posts and social media content profiling users and highlighting features of the toolJan 2018-Aug 2018Land Access Program Director & Associate; Peer Advisors; Core Partners; Independent Evaluator- Phone calls & emails with Peer Advisors and Core Partners to gather feedback on the Calculator 1.0- Compile and analyze feedback and data from Calculator users; Report back to Fathom for development and design of Calculator 2.0May 2018-Aug 2018FathomAnalyze Calculator user feedback and data to design and build Calculator Tool 2.0YEAR 3Sep 2018FathomLaunch Land Access Calculator 2.0Sep 2018-Dec 2018Communications DirectorConduct targeted outreach campaign to promote Land Access Calculator launch:- Press release and contact key media influencers- Blog post and content featured prominently on homepage of youngfarmers.org- Email all NYFC supporters- Promote tool across social media channels- Engage our outreach partners by sending pre-written messaging to share through their communications channels- Announce launch to chapter leadersSep 2018-Aug 2019Land Access Program Director & Associate; Peer Advisors; Core Partners; Independent Evaluator- Phone calls & emails with Peer Advisors and Core Partners to gather feedback on Calculator 2.0- Compile and analyze feedback and data from Calculator usersObjective 2. Teach farmers how to use the Land Access Affordability Calculator, and educate farmers on financing, conservation, and investment variables/opportunities. YEAR 1May 2017-Aug 2017Land Access Program Director & Associate- Solicit recommendations from partners on financial decision making strategies for land access- Select cohort of 10 webinar experts -Plan topics for first 5 webinarsYEAR 2Sep 2017-April 2018Communications Director; National Field DirectorConduct targeted outreach campaign to promote webinars:- Blog post and content featured prominently on youngfarmers.org- Announce to NYFC chapters- Promote in e-newsletter and on social media- Outreach partners will receive pre-written messaging to share on their communications channelsSep 2017-April 2017Land Access Program Director & Associate; Webinar Experts; Communications Director- Conduct practice webinars and prepare for webinar series- Conduct first set of 5 webinars on "Financial Decision Making for Land Access"- Archive webinars on websiteJan 2018-April 2018Communications Director; Webinar Experts- Develop content for 5-10 blog posts based on webinar content- Archive blog posts on youngfarmers.orgMay 2018-Aug 2018Land Access Program Director & Associate- Solicit recommendations from partners on financial decision making strategies for land access- Plan topics for second set of 5 webinarsYEAR 3Sep 2018-Aug 2019Same Partners as Year 2- Same Activities as Year 2 to deliver second set of 5 webinars on "Financial Decision Making for Land Access"- Archive webinars on websiteObjective 3. Coach beginning farmers and ranchers on the financial implications of land access decisions with in-person meetings and regional expertsYEAR 1May 2017-Aug 2017Land Access Program Director & Associate; Communications Director; Graphic DesignerComplete and print workbook version of the Land Access CalculatorMay 2017-Aug 2017Land Access Program Director & Associate; Workshop Partners; Farm Credit Council; National Field Director- Partner with Workshop Partners to plan first 4 "Financial Decision Making for Land Access" Workshops- Emails and calls with project partners & farmers to determine priority needs- Coordinate with chapter leaders on location and venuesMay 2017-Aug 2017Land Access Program Director & Associate; Executive DirectorWork with FSA to make "Financial Decision Making for Land Access" workshop series an FSA approved borrower trainingYEAR 2Sep 2017- April 2018Communications Director; National Field DirectorConduct targeted outreach campaign to promote workshops:- Blog post and content featured prominently on youngfarmers.org- Announce to NYFC chapters- Promote workshops in e-newsletter and social media- Outreach partners will receive pre-written messaging to share on their communications channelsJan 2018-April 2018Land Access Program Director & Associate; Workshop Partners; Farm Credit Council; Independent Evaluator- Hold first series of 4 "Financial Decision Making for Land Access" workshops- NYFC staff travel to partner locations to lead workshopsYEAR 3Sep 2018-Aug 2019Same Partners as Year 2Same Activities as Year 2 to deliver second series of 4 workshops on "Financial Decision Making for Land Access"

PROGRESS: 2016/08 TO 2019/08
Target Audience: Audience Emphasis Small farms Participants Served Record the total number of unique participants who participated in your program: Total Number of Participants: 16,436 Enter the actual cumulative number of participants who as a result of your program: Started farming: Target - 0, Actual - 0 Helped prepare to start farming: Target - 120000, Actual - 12216 Improved farming success: Target - 9900, Actual - 4220 Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Delivery Total Meetings: 21 Total Meeting Participants: 467 Total Webinars: 1 Total Webinar Participants: 25 Total Website Visits: 20848 Total Online Course Participants: 1303 Meetings 9/17/2017: Eugene, OR -- Number of Attendees 24 2/15/2018: Dayton, OH -- Number of Attendees 38 7/11/2018: Unity, ME -- Number of Attendees 10 10/11/2017: Hudson, NY -- Number of Attendees 20 2/16/2018: Dayton, OH -- Number of Attendees 35 4/3/2018: St Louis, MO -- Number of Attendees 20 9/15/2018: Rochester, MN -- Number of Attendees 15 11/1/2018: Mills River, NC -- Number of Attendees 39 11/4/2018: Valparaiso, IN -- Number of Attendees 22 11/5/2018: Ferguson, MO -- Number of Attendees 18 2/4/2019: Fallbrook, CA -- Number of Attendees 24 2/11/2019: Davis, CA -- Number of Attendees 27 2/12/2019: Petaluma, CA -- Number of Attendees 17 2/13/2019: Aromas, CA -- Number of Attendees 35 11/29/2017: Hudson, NY -- Number of Attendees 40 10/16/2018: New York, NY -- Number of Attendees 10 12/4/2018: Augusta, ME -- Number of Attendees 10 12/12/2018: East Aurora, NY -- Number of Attendees 8 12/17/2018: Kingston, NY -- Number of Attendees 10 1/24/2019: Little Rock, AR -- Number of Attendees 40 2/17/2019: Willits, CA -- Number of Attendees 5 Webinars 5/21/2019: Number of Attendees 25 How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Promotional Materials Press release -- Finding Farmland site launch Press Blog post -- Finding Farmland site launch NYFC network Network email -- Finding Farmland site launch Alert NYFC members and supporters of the Tool launch Press release -- Finding Farmland 2.0 released Press/media Maine workshop flyer Farmers Newsletter: Announcing Finding Farmland Course Announcing launch of Finding Farmland Course to our organization's mailing list. Sponsorship Deck To share with funding partners in order to secure private funding for our Finding Farmland program. California workshop flyer Farmers California workshop flyer Spanish Farmers Farmers.gov blog post - "Finding Farmland: Resources to Support Land Access" Beginning farmers and ranchers What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

IMPACT: 2016/08 TO 2019/08
What was accomplished under these goals? Results: What Producers Learned, Achieved, Applied Result 1. Beginning farmers from all 10 USDA production regions and diverse backgrounds will have ongoing access to a tool (Land Access Calculator)that is created with input and feedback from both farmers and experienced service providers to help them evaluate the financial decisions in their land access process. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 08/2019 Estimated Number: 120000, Actual Number: 12216 How verified: Google Analytics website audience records Result 2. 90% of beginning farmers respondents who use the Land Access Calculatorwill report feeling more prepared to make sound financial decisions regarding farmland access as a results of being able to compare options and see the long-term impacts of their choices. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 08/2019 Estimated Number: 32400, Actual Number: 12216 How verified: Calculator exit survey. 100% of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed that the calculator "clearly explained the available options for accessing land". Result 3. 40% of beginning farmer respondents will have accessed land after having used the tool Producer action: Implement, Topic: Access to land When measured: 2/2019 Estimated Number: 4320, Actual Number: 0 How verified: No follow up survey of calculator users was performed. Result 4. 1,000 diverse beginning farmers from all 10 USDA production regions will participate in 10 webinar sessions, where they will have an opportunity to learn from and interact with 20 expert presenters, enabling them to ask questions and better understand their financial decisions. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 1000, Actual Number: 421 How verified: Video watch + podcast listen counts from online course Result 5. 75% of webinar attendee respondents will report that the webinar provided them with new knowledge on land access. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: Immediately following webinar; years 2+3 Estimated Number: 750, Actual Number: 0 How verified: No follow up evaluation of online course participants was performed. Result 6. At least 8,500 beginning farmers will access the archived webinars and blog posts on NYFC's website during the grant period. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 8500, Actual Number: 3530 How verified: Google Analytics website audience records Result 7. At least 200 diverse beginning farmers and ranchers will receive in-person training on the topic of navigating financial decisions involved in accessing land during the grant period. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 200, Actual Number: 269 How verified: Workshop pre-surveys Result 8. 90% of workshop participants will report having gained regionally-appropriate, personalized knowledge, which better prepares them to make land access decisions that take financial impacts into account and secure financing. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 08/2019 Estimated Number: 180, Actual Number: 269 How verified: Workshop pre- and post-surveys; 100% showed improvement in one or more areas of knowledge of farmland access topics Result 9. 90% of workshop participants will experience progress along the path to land access during the grant period. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Access to land When measured: 08/2019 Estimated Number: 180, Actual Number: 181 How verified: Workshop 6-month progress survey; 67% of respondents reported taking steps towards accessing farmland since the workshop Result 10. 40% of workshop participants will use the information gained to successfully access land that is appropriate and affordable for their farm business Producer action: Implement, Topic: Access to land When measured: 08/2019 Estimated Number: 80, Actual Number: 38 How verified: Workshop 6-month progress survey; 14% of respondents reported leasing or buying farmland since the workshop

PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2016/08 TO 2019/08
No publications reported this period.

PROGRESS: 2016/08/15 TO 2017/08/14
Target Audience: Audience Emphasis · Small farms Participants Served Record the total number of unique participants who participated in your program: Total Number of Participants: 0 Enter the actual cumulative number of participants who as a result of your program: Started farming: Target - 0, Actual - 0 Helped prepare to start farming: Target - 120000, Actual - 0 Improved farming success: Target - 9900, Actual - 0 Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Press release -- Finding Farmland site launch Press Blog post -- Finding Farmland site launch NYFC network What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Launch Calculator 1.0 Create workbook version of Calculator Collect feedback on Calculator 1.0 from Peer Advisors and Core Partners Design Calculator 2.0 with Fathom Information Design Launch Calculator 2.0 Select topics and experts for 10 webinars and blog posts related to land affordability/access Host 10 webinars and archive to NYFC website Post 10 blog posts to NYFC website Plan 6 "Financial Decision Making for Land Access" workshops for farmers with Workshop Partners Host 8 "Financial Decision Making for Land Access" workshops for farmers

IMPACT: 2016/08/15 TO 2017/08/14
What was accomplished under these goals? Result 1. Beginning farmers from all 10 USDA production regions and diverse backgrounds will have ongoing access to a tool (Land Access Calculator)that is created with input and feedback from both farmers and experienced service providers to help them evaluate the financial decisions in their land access process. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 08/2019 Estimated Number: 120000, Actual Number: 0 How verified: Google analytics and built-in site registration Result 2. 90% of beginning farmers respondents who use the Land Access Calculatorwill report feeling more prepared to make sound financial decisions regarding farmland access as a results of being able to compare options and see the long-term impacts of their choices. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 08/2019 Estimated Number: 32400, Actual Number: 0 How verified: Exit survey. Estimated total respondents: 30% (36,000). Result 3. 40% of beginning farmer respondents will have accessed land after having used the tool Producer action: Implement, Topic: Access to land When measured: 2/2019 Estimated Number: 4320, Actual Number: 0 How verified: Annual follow up survey. Estimated respondents: 30% of initial respondents (10,800). Result 4. 1,000 diverse beginning farmers from all 10 USDA production regions will participate in 10 webinar sessions, where they will have an opportunity to learn from and interact with 20 expert presenters, enabling them to ask questions and better understand their financial decisions. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 1000, Actual Number: 0 How verified: Webinar registration surveys Result 5. 75% of webinar attendee respondents will report that the webinar provided them with new knowledge on land access. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: Immediately following webinar; years 2+3 Estimated Number: 750, Actual Number: 0 How verified: Webinar post-surveys Result 6. At least 8,500 beginning farmers will access the archived webinars and blog posts on NYFC's website during the grant period. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 8500, Actual Number: 0 How verified: Google analytics Result 7. At least 200 diverse beginning farmers and ranchers will receive in-person training on the topic of navigating financial decisions involved in accessing land during the grant period. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 8/2019 Estimated Number: 200, Actual Number: 0 How verified: Workshop registration pre-surveys Result 8. 90% of workshop participants will report having gained regionally-appropriate, personalized knowledge, which better prepares them to make land access decisions that take financial impacts into account and secure financing. Producer action: Understand, Topic: Access to land When measured: 08/2019 Estimated Number: 180, Actual Number: 0 How verified: Workshop pre- and post-surveys Result 9. 90% of workshop participants will experience progress along the path to land access during the grant period. Producer action: Implement, Topic: Access to land When measured: 08/2019 Estimated Number: 180, Actual Number: 0 How verified: Workshop 6-month progress survey Result 10. 40% of workshop participants will use the information gained to successfully access land that is appropriate and affordable for their farm business Producer action: Implement, Topic: Access to land When measured: 08/2019 Estimated Number: 80, Actual Number: 0 How verified: Workshop 6-month progress survey

PUBLICATIONS: 2016/08/15 TO 2017/08/14
No publications reported this period.