Are you interested in connecting with other farmers in your region? Do you want to find a way to create more farmer-to-farmer learning opportunities? Learn about a successful model for building relationships, networks, and learning between farmers from an organization with an established farmer-to-farmer network. We’ll discuss how to lay the groundwork for, and maintain, a successful beginning farmer-to-farmer network whether you are a small group of farmers or an agricultural support program. Cameron Farlow, Organic Growers School (NC)

1. Farm Beginnings Collaborative
Cameron Farlow
Organic Growers School
cameron@organicgrowersschool.org
Building a Farmer
Network

2. Organic Growers School

3. Organic Growers School

4. CRAFT Farmer Network Model
● Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT)
● Founded in upstate New York in 1994, model adopted by
groups of farmers. At least 20 in US & Canada!
● Based on strength of farmer-to-farmer learning
● CRAFT farmer alliances are diverse and may focus on a variety
things
● Some independent farmer groups
● Some associated with a non-profit/organization

5. CRAFT Farmer Network Model
● Commonalities:
○ Farmer-led
○ A commitment to training
beginning farmers
○ Sustainable agriculture
production practices
● Bottom-up, open source model
● www.Craftfarmer.org

6. ● Farmer driven & farmer led
● 30 farm members
● 40-50 apprentices/students
● Experienced farmers: network
● Beginning farmers: mentors
● Apprentices: overview of different
farming methods

7. ● Membership Based ($24-$40 range)
● 10 Summer farm tours: April - October
● Annual organic production, livestock,
crop planning, record-keeping, irrigation,
etc.
● CRAFT Farmer Handbook
● 3 Winter Farmer Round Tables

8. What is a Farmer Network?
● A way for farmers to exchange information, socialize,
learn and connect with other farmers on a regular,
on-going basis
● A farmer network can do a variety of things:
○ Host workshops, trainings, conferences
○ Discussion group, book club, learning circle, bulk
buying, etc.
○ Social events

9. Why are Farmer Networks Important?

10. Why are Farmer Networks Important?
● New avenues for transfer of knowledge between
farming generations
● Peer-to-peer exchange of ideas and support
● Formal & Informal mentorship
● Community building
● Increase social, economic & environmental viability /
sustainability

11. How to Start & Maintain a Farmer Network
1. Gather Farmers
2. Outline a Purpose
3. Define the Structure
4. Divide up Responsibilities
5. Find Dependable Finances

12. How to Start & Maintain a Farmer Network
1. Gather Farmers:
○ Establish need
○ Secure commitment
○ Set expectations of
members

13. How to Start & Maintain a Farmer Network
2. Outline a Purpose or Mission Statement:
○ Will there be a focus or target audience?
○ Geographic region?
○ Other unifying ideas:
■ Expose interns to diversity of approaches in farming
■ Provide a peer group for interns
■ Build cooperation among regional farmers
■ Beginning farmer support
■ Advocacy and local/national policy
○ Ex. WNC CRAFT mission & audience

14. How to Start & Maintain a Farmer Network
3. Define the Structure
○ Define core group &
decision-making process
○ What are the activities/events?
■ Workshops, letter writing
campaign, potlucks,
webinars…
○ When to meet?
○ Ex: WNC CRAFT events

15. How to Start & Maintain a Farmer Network
4. Divide Up Responsibilities
○ Who will do on-the-ground work and manage tasks?
○ Who will organize each part?
○ Who will lead each activity?
○ Who will facilitate the meetings
○ Who will facilitate the evaluations?
○ Who will guide the overall program?
○ Who will handle administrative functions (mailings, printing,
calls, finances, etc.)?

16. How to Start & Maintain a Farmer Network
4. Divide Up Responsibilities
(continued…)
○ How will the group communicate?
○ Develop communications materials?
○ How & who will manage
recruitment?
○ Ex: WNC CRAFT Steering
Committee

17. How to Start & Maintain a Farmer Network
5. Find Dependable Financing
○ Organizing & leading network activities
○ Transportation & food
○ Mailings & printing
○ Membership dues
○ Grants
○ Sponsorship
○ Ex: WNC CRAFT Membership & Grants

18. Potential Pitfalls if...
You’re a non-profit/organization:
● Find balance between farmer ownership &
organizational oversight
● Ex: Southeast CRAFT
You’re a farmer-only group:
● Capacity & longevity

19. Additional Models of Farmer Networks
● CRAFT Hudson Valley/Berkshires/Pioneer Valley - NY
& MA
● The Farmers of Color Network - NC
● SAAFON - GA & the Southeast
● Jewish Farmers Network - US & International
● Women, Food & Ag Network - VT
● National Young Farmers Coalition - US

20. CRAFT Hudson Valley/Berkshires/Pioneer Valley
● Independently farmer led
● Training the next generation
● ½ day farm visits for apprentices
only
● https://craftfarmapprentice.com
Image: Red Fire Farm,
A member of CRAFT, HV/B/PV

21. The Farmers of Color Network
● Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI)
● Eastern NC - 12 farm members
● Grants to explore the feasibility of new areas of production
● Farmers of Color Farm Tour & Winter Gathering
● https://rafiusa.org/farmersofcolornetwork/

22. Southeast African American Farmers’ Organic Network
(SAAFON)
● A non-profit
● Alabama, Georgia, Florida,
Maryland, Louisiana, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia
and St. Croix Island
● Provides education and training
to small-scale underserved
organic farmers and their
communities
● Membership based
● http://www.saafon.org/

23. Jewish Farmers Network
● Independently farmer-led
● Mission to support the economic, social,
and cultural vibrancy of Jewish agriculture
by connecting Jewish farmers to resources
and community around the world.
● 500+ Jewish farmers and growers around
the world.
● https://www.jewishfarmernetwork.org/

24. National Young Farmers Coalition
● Umbrella organization &
chapter structure
● Membership based
● Beginning farmer focus
● Farmer Mixers
● Advocate on local, state &
national level
● www.youngfarmers.org

25. Women’s Agricultural Network (WAGN)
● University of Vermont
● Helping Women Build Thriving
Farm Businesses
● Learning Circles & Funding
● Grants, gifts, and program fees
● https://www.uvm.edu/wagn/

26. Mind Mapping You Farmer Network

27. Additional Resources
● “Creating Farmer Networks: A Toolkit for Promoting Vibrant Farm
Communities,” by Melissa Matthewson, Melissa Fery, and Maud Powell
● Campesino a Campesino, by Eric Holt-Gimenez
Reach out!
Cameron Farlow
Farmer Programs Director
cameron@organicgrowersschool.org
www.organicgrowersschool.org