Settlement Allows Bullet Train, Creates Fund for Farm Preservation

The farmers in California’s Central Valley suing to prevent eminent domain from putting railroad lines through their farms settled earlier this month. As part of the settlement $5 million was put aside for farm preservation. Hm. In a state that has some of the most expensive farm and ranchland in the country, I can’t help […]
Solutions Farms Teaches Homeless to Grow

This story is from the U-T San Diego website. It was written by Teri Figueroa. A small Vista aquaponics farm run by a nonprofit that works with homeless families is about to, well, grow. If all goes to plan, the agricultural enterprise called Solutions Farms will cultivate more produce for its biggest client: the Vista […]
Local Food a Growing Trend for Land Trusts

Organizations and Individuals worldwide are recognizing land access and agriculture as a key piece of our secure future. Our Symposium this weekend will gather some of the best forward-thinkers, advocates, farmers and concerned everyday citizens. Be there yourself or stay tuned for the ground-breaking ideas that will undoubtedly come out of this great meeting. This […]
Rancher Profile: Jessica Schley and Broken Arrow
The future of every farm and ranch is uncertain. Drought, erosion, price fluctuation and other factors make farming a particularly precarious path to take. An entire generation of farmers, whose hard work and tireless devotion lifted us to this precipice, are aging, retiring and leaving the land. Planning for a future where the land lives […]
Farm Profile: Lonesome Whistle Farm
A chance to expand and a long-term lease on a forty-four acre farm of river bottom silty clay loam brought Lonesome Whistle Farm to their current location. Jeff Broadie and Kasey White are planting sixty-five acres total of beans, grains and popcorn this season on the home farm and on some more neighboring leased land. […]
Farm Profile: Turnip the Beet Farm
In their third season of production, John Ludwig and Lela Copeland operate Turnip the Beet Farm . Cultivating three acres of specialty vegetables and herbs, the two are putting their attention into crop diversity and excellent quality. In this growing season alone they will grow over 40 varieties of tomatoes along with around 60 other […]
A Story: Open Spaces & Ranching

By Pamela Dewell, Executive Director of Wyoming Stock Growers Agricultural Land Trust from the Land Trust Alliance website Some friends of ours have a ranch that straddles a county road. Unpaved, the road draws traffic mostly in fair weather. In the spring, and after summer thunderstorms, they use their tractor to haul unknowing travelers out […]
Farm Profile: James Ranch

The third generation “is on the ground” at James Ranch in Colorado. That’s how Dan James puts it, talking about his three kids. Dan is one of the five second-generation James’ who contribute to the success of the ranch. It’s a traditional story, with a twist, and more than one take-away. Though the James Ranch […]
163-Acre Farm Preserved in Natural Gas Drilling Zone

Natural Lands Trust Preserves 163-Acre ConaMoore Farm In Chester County from northcentralpa.com Natural Lands Trust announced recently the conservation of ConaMoore Farm, a 163-acre property in East Nantmeal Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. The shady woodlands, rolling pastures, and picturesque buildings of ConaMoore Farm, located along Route 401, serve as the gateway to East Nantmeal Township. […]
Profile: The New Brunswick New Land Purchase Program
From the New Farmer Project We can look northeast to New Brunswick, Canada, to examine a brilliant model of public support for new farmers. For four decades, the New Brunswick New Land Purchase Program has been improving farmers’ prospects for accessing high-quality farms and farmland. The New Brunswick Department of Agriculture acts as a holding […]