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 […]
The Cuban Agroecological Experiment
Small farms thrive under Cuba’s unique blend of agrarian reforms, farmer autonomy and state support By Christina Bronsing-Lazalde, Food First Cuba Tour Coordinator and leader of upcoming Cuba delegation. The son of two pioneers of the Cuban agroecology movement, Fernando Funes-Monzote has been steeped in sustainable farming his entire life. Two years ago, he decided […]
Farm Profile: Broadfork Farm
Shannon Jones and Bryan Dyck farm 15 acres of veggies, herbs, fruits, cut flowers, vegetable transplants, and cover crop in River Hebert, a small town in Nova Scotia, Canada. They started Broadfork Farm in 2011 on leased land, and then purchased their own property the following year. I spoke with Shannon about their move, and […]
Farm Profile: Frith Farm
When Daniel Mays started his search for farmland in 2010, he knew it wouldn’t be easy. A Pennsylvania native with Quaker roots, Mays knew he wanted land in the Northeast. He went to school in New England and felt at home in the region and its seasonal climate. He confirmed his love for farming and […]