2014 business of farming conference: wnc farmlink

Cameron Farlow Land Access Coordinator

www.wncfarmlink.org cameron@wncfarmlink.org

(828)338-9465

"I just don't see myself being able to buy land," Evans says. "What farmland there is, it’s very, very expensive. If you're not independently wealthy or not inheriting family land, how do you come about finding a farm?” – Joe Evans of Paper Crane Farm in

Mars Hill

“In the next 20 years, 70 percent of the nation’s farmland will change hands. Farmers do not live forever, and most farm kids do not choose to carry on the family business. An eager generation of young Americans is motivated to farm but, they need land and few will be able to secure it

without help.” - Lindsey & Benjamin Shute, “Keeping Farmland for Farmers”; NY Times 9-30-2013

By connecting retiring farmers, absentee

landowners, and heirs of farmers who may be unsure of what they should do with

their land with aspiring farmers who are eager to

farm we can begin to address these challenges in WNC.

Alleghany Ashe Avery Buncombe Burke Caldwell Cherokee Clay Graham

Haywood Henderson Jackson Macon Madison McDowell Mitchell Polk Rutherford

Swain Transylvania Watauga Wilkes Yancey

Database of interested landowners and farm seekers Vet potential matches Guide, facilitate landowners and seekers toward

successful land arrangements Connect with resources Collaborate with regional partners Create guides, tools, workshops, other resources

What tools/resources would be the most helpful to you?

What types of workshops or events would you like to

see or attend?

How do I reach willing landowners?

How will this program be successful in WNC?

WNC FarmLink

Cameron Farlow Land Access Coordinator

Email: cameron@wncfarmlink.org (828)338-9564

www.wncfarmlink.org