Welcome to Beginning Farmers

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We are currently witnessing a loss of family farms, an aging population of farmers, and an increasingly global and consolidated food system, all of which create concerns about food security, the health of rural communities, and economic and environmental sustainability.

At the same time, an increase in direct marketing, consumer demand for local products, and the number of small farms on the urban fringe offer significant counterpoints to these trends. New, first-generation farmers are important actors in developing and sustaining these trends.

The experiences and practices of new farmers may help develop an alternative agricultural model for family farms struggling to compete with large scale and foreign producers, and constitute an important cultural resource for promoting healthy communities, healthy eating habits, environmental sustainability, and social dialogue on food related issues.

Through this site we hope to provide a resource for individuals considering farming careers, those seeking to diversify and improve their operations, as well as educators and policy-makers.