Web Site of the Month
National Farm Transition Network

Dr. Allen Young
USU Extension Dairy Specialist

The web site for this month represents a network of programs whose stated goal “is to support programs that foster the next generation of farmers and ranchers.” Their purpose seems to be one of bringing farmers who would like to retire together with individuals who would like to get into farming. I quote from the information given at the site, “Eighteen programs representing twenty states have established Farm Link programs to ‘link’ beginning and retiring farmers. Although the desire to enter farming remains strong with program ratios of beginning/retiring farmer inquiries running as high as 10:1, the barriers to entry remain formidable. All participating programs agree that one-on-one technical assistance and resource information and referral are essential. Some programs also use ‘how-to’ regional and statewide workshops on farm succession and other beginning and exiting farmer issues.”

The URL for this site is:

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/bfc/national/
If you have an interest in what they are doing, please contact them. I think the idea is worth considering.