FarmLink: A Program of the Countryside Conservancy

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FarmLink A Program of the Countryside Conservancy

• Meredith Poczontek
• FarmLink Coordinator

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Countryside Conservancy

• Who We Are
• Think-and-do tank
• Encourage civic land use, farming, and food
  systems in Northeast Ohio

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Countryside Conservancy

• What We Do
• Focus on key links in the food chain
• Farmland, farmers, food, community

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Programs Initiatives

• Farmers Markets
• Countryside Initiative
• Reading Groups
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Festivals
• Exploring the Small Farm Dream course
• FarmLink Program

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Northeast Ohio Agriculture

• Over 15,000 farms in NE Ohio
  (1.8 million acres)
• 30 of farmers are over age 65
• 16 of jobs in Ohio are ag related
• Farming contributes to 73 billion a year to
  Ohios economy

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Why FarmLink

• Not enough new farmers to replace retiring
  farmers
• No estate plan
• Highest dollar value of farmland is for
  development
• New farmers cant find available land

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What FarmLink

• Matching service
• Provide networking opportunities
• Volunteer opportunities
• Reference for events/workshops/class offered by
  other organizations

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How FarmLink

• Explored other states with similar programs
• Developed advisory board

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FarmLink Success

• Susan and Jessica
• Bill and Elyse

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Shortcomings

• Want to do more besides introduce parties
• Want to find more experienced new farmers
• Need to market the program more aggressively

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Future Direction

• Strategic marketing
• New website
• Increased funding
• Added farm business planner to advisory board
• Recruiting more experienced farm seekers

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Contact Us

• www.cvcountryside.org
• Farmlink_at_cvcountryside.org