STORIES FROM THE FIELD: How State and Federal Programs Support Farmers, Fishermen, Food Entrepreneurs and Consumers in the Northeast

Northeast farmers, food entrepreneurs, community-based organizations, and researchers are using federal agriculture and food systems programs, many of which leverage innovative state programs, to create economic opportunities for farms and food businesses, improve consumer access to healthy food, help new entry and next generation farmers succeed, revive rural economies, and foster innovation. Despite the positive impact these federal programs have sparked, our region had to advocate for their inclusion the the recent Farm Bill reauthorization. With support from these programs, Northeast farmers and food entrepreneurs meet consumers’ ever-evolving tastes, diversify market channels, steward the environment, and sustain economic viability. As the following stories illustrate, ensuring that these programs continue and are fully funded is critical to sustaining an agricultural sector that creates jobs, generates economic activity in each of our states, and ensures a thriving agriculture future for our entire region.

These stories were a collaborative effort of the following organizations to prepare for the NASDA meetings and support Farm Bill advocacy: American Farmland Trust, Community Food Funders, CT Working Lands Alliance, Food Solutions New England, Gardening the Community, GrowNYC, Hudson Valley Agribusiness Development Corporation, Land For Good, Maine Farmland Trust, Massachusetts Food System Collaborative, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, National Young Farmers Coalition, Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Group, Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Springfield Food Policy Council, Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders, and The John Merck Fund. 

 

Table of contents:

ENSURING NEW ENGLAND FARMS STAY IN FARMING

IMMIGRANT AND SMALL-SCALE FARMERS & FOOD PRODUCERS ADD VALUE TO NEW ENGLAND’S FOOD ECONOMY

NEXT-GEN FARMERS KEEPING VERMONT MILK FLOWING 

KEEPING CONNECTICUT FARMERS ON THE LAND & GROWING

FAMILIES “SNAP” UP LOCAL FARMS’ FRESH FOOD ACROSS THE NORTHEAST

NEW ENGLAND FARMERS & CONSUMERS GAIN BIG GUSNIP BOOST

MAJOR GUSNIP GRANT FOR NEW ENGLAND’S FOOD SYSTEM

THE NORTHEAST’S FARM FUTURE: OPPORTUNITIES & THREATS

FARMING IS GOOD BUSINESS FOR THE HUDSON VALLEY

NEW ENGLAND HOSPITALS RECOGNIZE FOOD IS MEDICINE

AGRITOURISM: OPENING FARMS’ GATES TO VISITORS ADDS TO “FARM GATE” IN THE NORTHEAST 

“PASS” IT ON: PA FARMERS FEED THEIR NEIGHBORS AND IMPROVE THEIR BOTTOM LINES

NEW YORK PUBLIC & PRIVATE INVESTORS CONNECT RURAL GROWERS TO URBAN CONSUMERS 

VIABLE FARMS ENSURE BRIGHT FUTURES FOR RURAL NORTHEAST ECONOMIES