The Farmland Access Hub partners with many regional organizations that host both online and in-person events to train and support beginning farmers, as well as exiting farmers/landowners. These events are not only educational for participants but are often a means of networking and community strengthening. Please check back regularly for updates to our events schedule.
We welcome suggestions for events that serve the needs of farmers and landowners. Please contact bonnie@rtcinfo.org with ideas or questions about land access-related events.
Events
Life After Farming… What’s Next for You and Your Land?
America’s farms have hit a critical point. Most of our food and fiber producers are over 55, while young and beginning farmers—due to debt and insurmountable challenges around farming and farmland access—are only replacing these producers at a rate of 9%. Additionally, the devastating and rapid loss of farmland in the U.S. to poorly planned developmental sprawl and foreign investors is pointing toward an impending food system crisis.
The Farmland Access Hub and Renewing the Countryside, along with the Land Stewardship Project (LSP), Region Nine Development Commission, American Farmland Trust, and others, are working to mitigate these issues by creating educational and networking opportunities for landowners and farmers around legacy planning and farmland transition.
To bring people together for learning and discussion, the Hub is hosting two online webinars—one in August and one in September—to provide resources to farmland owners interested in transitioning their land with a positive community legacy while engaging in peer-driven problem-solving.
Whether you are interested in renting, selling, or transitioning your farm to a new owner, the information provided during these 1-hour programs is geared to help landowners and retiring farmers identify and overcome fears and challenges as they think through the next steps for their land.
Come to Session One with your questions, ready to learn and gather resources.* In Session Two, landowners will dive deeper into specific challenges and scenarios with facilitated support from succession coordinators and land transfer specialists.
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*Session One speakers include:
Bonnie Warndahl, Farmland Access Program Manager, Renewing the Countryside
Lucia Possehl, Commons Cohort Program Manager, Sharing our Roots
Julie Ristau, Senior Fellow and Advisor, Sharing Our Roots
Linda and Craig Wasner, Former owners of the property that is now Sharing Our Roots
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https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkdu6tqjorGdW5WiU5EgKILjDdG0QmX-K6
Past Events
Join Us!
The 2023 Farmland Summit will bring together thought leaders, change agents, policymakers, and practitioners from around the Upper Midwest to dig into critical challenges and opportunities related to farmland access and transfer.
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Your Farm’s Future Steward: What to consider before making your land available to the next generation.
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Landowner Webinar
Webinar 1: Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. (optional Q&A 6:30-7:00 p.m.)
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Webinar 2: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 from NOON–1:00 p.m. (optional Q&A from 1:00–1:30 p.m.)
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Event host: The Farmland Access Hub
Partners: Land Stewardship Project; Renewing the Countryside; Region Nine Development Commission; University of Minnesota Extension; Sand County Foundation
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For questions contact bonnie@rtcinfo.org/612.462.9311
Are you interested in renting your land to a beginning farmer? Is it time to start thinking about transitioning your farm to a new steward? What should be considered—and where do you begin?
Please join the Farmland Access Hub for an introduction to making your land available to the next generation of farmers. This online event is FREE for farmland owners in the Midwest and beyond.
Whether you are interested in renting, selling, or transitioning your farm to a new owner, the information provided during this 1-hour program is geared to help landowners and retiring farmers start thinking about the next steps for their land. Goals include:
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Reaching a deeper understanding of the issues around farmland access—and how landowners can take the reigns in addressing this dilemma head-on.
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Discovering the unique needs and challenges of current and future farmers to help ensure a successful rental contract or ownership transition.
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Learning about the resources available to aid in planning for bringing new stewards onto the land.
Participants will hear about both the land-seeking farmer and exiting-farmer perspectives when it comes to farmland access. All are welcome to attend the optional 30-minute Q&A following programming.
Bring your questions and your curiosity to one of two online events (or both), which are offered at different times to increase accessibility to attendees.