The following information and resources may be of assistance to farmers seeking access to famland and farming opportunities.


Ideas for New and Aspiring Farmers

If you are an aspiring farmer and have looked through the Resources for Beginning Farmers, you already know that getting started in farming involves more than just seeking access to land - it involves assessing your resources and skills, developing a business and marketing plan, becoming familiar with regulations and with programs and organizations that may be of assistance, and deciding what type of farming opportunity makes sense to pursue at this time.

Aspiring farmers with little farming experience may find that working on a farm, such as an intern, apprentice, employee, or volunteer, may be a good first step. For others who have more experience and who are looking to start a new farm business on their own, leasing as opposed to purchasing farmland can be a cost-effective way to get started. Many new farmers have turned to leasing as a result of high land values or limited access to capital. One benefit of leasing is that without a mortgage, more money is available to help cash-flow the new farm operation.

Some aspiring farmers have also worked first as an intern/apprentice and then as a farm manager before starting out on their own. One benefit of working as a farm manager is that it can allow you build equity and experience without having the risks and expenses associated with being fully-responsible for the farm business.


The types of farming opportunities available in New Jersey include a range of possibilities:

  • Working on a farm to gain experience (intern, apprentice, employee)
  • Working on a farm in a greater capacity (farm manager)
  • Partnering on a farm business (with a landowner or another farmer)
  • Leasing land for your own farm business
  • Purchasing land for your operation
  • Other arrangements

Depending on your background, skills, farming experience, current resources, and level of planning, one or more of the above possibilities may be right for you.

 

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Land Linking Websites and Additional Ideas and Programs

NJ Land Link - Online Listings – NJ Land Link helps connect farmers who are seeking access to land, with farm owners who have farmland and business opportunities available. Farmers can browse the listings of farming opportunities available (lease, sale, partnership, farm manager, apprenticeship, and other opportunities) that farm have posted, and farmers can create their own listings to describe the farming opportunities they are seeking.

  • NJ Land Link - Create a free listing for yourself on the linking website.

Additional Websites - Online Listings – The following are some additional sites where you can view and/or post farming opportunity listings:

Print/Online Listings - Some farm owners advertise their farming opportunities in print publications, which also may post their classifieds online. Some of these include the New Jersey Farmer and Lancaster Farming.

Networking and word of mouth, and additional programs

  • County Board of Agriculture meetings (monthly)/Rutgers Cooperative Extension - Speaking with other farmers and landowners can be an effective way to learn about farming opportunities. Besides reaching out to local farmers you may know (including others who may be renting/farming fields nearby), one way to connect with local growers is through county boards of agriculture. County boards meet monthly except in the summer, and their farmer members may be able to provide feedback, direction, support, or referrals to helpful people and programs. To find out when a county board meets, contact the county's Rutgers Cooperative Extension county agricultural agent.
  • NOFA-NJ Open Houses (online, monthly) – This virtual event, the last Wednesday of the month in the morning from 8:30 – 9:30 AM (or sometimes 9:00 – 10:00), provides a good opportunity to get to know other farmers and learn more about the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA-NJ) and its programs. From NOFA-NJ, the “Monthly Organic Open Houses are virtual meetings designed to offer an open, informal space for the community to gather, share knowledge and resources, solicit advice from fellow farmers, and discuss relevant news and community updates.” Contact NOFA-NJ for more information on their open houses and other events such as workshops and winter conference.
  • Foodshed Alliance - The Foodshed Alliance coordinates a land access program called the Sustainable Agriculture Enterprise (SAgE) Program, which is designed to make farmland accessible to farmers through affordable long-term leases.

Opportunities on college farms – Some colleges have opportunities for students and others to take commercial farm-related classes and/or work on a college farm.

 

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Additional Resources

The following are some additional resources regarding access to land:



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