Reports About Farmers & Their Service Needs

The following reports were produced by collaborators in the Northeast New Farmers Network (NENFN) and Growing New Farmers (GNF) projects:

(To download files, see left. Acrobat Reader needed.)

Listening to New Farmers: Findings from New Farmer Focus Groups  This report presents a 'typology' of new farmers and several conceptual frameworks for understanding the characteristics of new farmer types and their learning and assistance needs. The report is based on and describes nine new farmer focus groups conducted in 1999 and 2000. (Northeast New Farmer Network, 2000)

Exploring the Concept of Farm Career Paths  This report is no longer available. Please email info@smallfarm.org if you would like more information.
This paper explores general career progressions in farming, and presents ways of thinking about farming careers in the Northeast. It offers a conceptual framework to help service providers offer more tailored guidance to farmers seeking their next career step. (Northeast New Farmer Network, 2000).

Gaps in New Farmer Programs and Services  This report analyzes 'gaps' in the array of programs and services for new farmers in the Northeastern US. (Northeast New Farmer Network, 2000)

Northeast New Farmers: Opportunities for Policy Development  A working paper outlining the history and status of federal and state policy regarding beginning farmers. (Kathy Ruhf, GNF Project Director, 2001)

Success in Farm Startups in the Northeast  A research report analyzing survey data and in-depth interviews with current and former startup farmers in the Northeast U.S. sheds light on the social and other factors related to success in farm startups. (Gilbert W. Gillespie Jr., Cornell University and Sue Ellen Johnson, New England Small Farm Institute, 2005)

About New Farmers: Address to the National Conference on Family Farm Succession  Remarks made by Kathy Ruhf, GNF Project Director, at Canada's National Family Farm Succession Conference on May 11, 2002.

USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Advisory Committee: Recommendations to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, June 2002 

GNF Postings: The Final Report of the Growing New Farmers Project 

Who Will Farm? article published in The Natural Farmer, Winter 2002-2003.

Access to Land, article published in The Natural Farmer, Winter 2002-2003.

Access to Credit, article published in The Natural Farmer, Winter 2002-2003.

Developing Partnership Models with NRCS and Other Agencies: Report authored by Marion Bowlan, PA Farmlink, December 2004.