SPEED DATERS FIND TRUE LOVE OF THE LAND

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SPEED DATERS FIND TRUE LOVE OF THE LAND

June 24, 2008 by countrysideconservancy

Dating is difficult without the aid of a matchmaking service. That is exactly why new farmer Elyse Perruchon attended a speed dating workshop last month. She wasn’t expecting to find love, she was looking for land. Perruchon wanted to find a small farm where she could grow produce and raise chickens. This particular speed dating event sought to match new farmers and farm owners instead of matching men and women. At the workshop she met William Takacs, a farmer with land in Chagrin Falls, and they made a match.

Perruchon and roommate Stephanie Privison will move to the farm this summer. They have already planted a garden where Takacs tilled the ground for them. He’s helping them build a chicken coop and install rain barrels. They pay rent for the house and, in exchange for the girls’ help with his hay operation, Takacs will provide feed for the chickens.

Leasing or working on an established farm is a good option for beginning farmers with limited access to capital. The cost of land can be highly prohibitive for new farmers trying to start their own operations, and many older farmers want to see their land stay in agricultural use but have no heirs interested in farming. FarmLink matches these two groups by holding events like the speed dating workshop.

FarmLink connects farmers and land in Northeast Ohio. It is a program of the Countryside Conservancy. The Conservancy works to protect farmland, support farmers, and grow a healthy local food economy.

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Posted in Farmland Preservation | Tagged Farmers, farming | 8 Comments

8 Responses

on August 21, 2008 at 4:15 pm | Reply Lara Ward

Are there any farms listed in Loudoun County, Virginia with folks interested in such situations (article)? If so, how do we inquire? Is there a website, link, or list of people? Is there a list to go on for those who may be interested years from now to contact me?

Thanks,

Lara Ward
Hillsboro, Virginia
on August 21, 2008 at 8:03 pm | Reply Alexander Kaspar

Have 450 acre Valley View Farm (Christmas trees, compost, mulch and lumber sawmill)just 49 miles north of NYC. Looking for good people to work the land or bring in livestock. Can build farm buildings as necessary and have room for trailers with utilities supplied
on August 22, 2008 at 9:49 am | Reply countrysideconservancy

Virginia has a similar program to Ohio. Go to http://www.savefarms.com/farmlink_about.htm
You can make an account and search the available farms in the state. For a listing of all farmlink programs in the US go to http://www.farmtransition.org and go to the network participants link. Links to other programs are on that page.
on August 22, 2008 at 6:22 pm | Reply Samantha

Is there a similiar program in Southern Michigan? I am looking into starting a small organic farm, something less than 100 acres.
on August 23, 2008 at 9:06 am | Reply icybooh

What a great idea! Thank you for bringing farming folks together.
on August 23, 2008 at 9:40 pm | Reply Suszanne

Does anybody know of any farmers located in Bradford County, PA that would like to this kind of trade?
on August 25, 2008 at 8:29 am | Reply countrysideconservancy

For the farmlink program in Michigan, go to http://www.michfb.com/benefits/farmlink There’s not much info on their website but there is contact info.
Pennsylvania has a program too. http://www.pafarmlink.org/ They have a great site and do some wonderful workshops
on February 2, 2010 at 4:39 pm | Reply Mildred Preisendorf

First-rate writing. You have won a brand-new devotee. Please keep up the good work and I look forward to more of your gripping updates.