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LAND LINK�MONTGOMERY

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93,000 acres of farms, parkland

1 house /25 acre zoning

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THE BIG PICTURE

Average Age of Farmers is 62�
400 Million Acres Set To Change Hands Nationally�
Regenerative Agriculture�
Re-alignment Toward Equitable Land Access�

The big pictire in the US is Farmers , like the rest of us are not getting younger. For this and other reasons, a huge change in farmland ownership is poised to happen in the coming years. We have a vested interest in seeing land continued to be farmed as this change takes place. Coming to prevelance at the same time is Regenerative Agriculture – this is a host of farming practices that concentrate carbon in the soil, this is a real climate solution and there is going to be real urgency both at the state and national level to transition to this new but very old way of land management. Lastly, systemic racism exists everywhere and agriculture is no exception – in charting the path forward for agriculture we want to bring equity to land access in an effort to right generations discrimitory policies that excluded people of color from success in farming – 4 billion dollars of the stimulus is going toward land access and training of farmers of color.

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Climate Realities Will Make Our Region’s Farms More Critical Than Ever

Decline in Food Production

Increase in Food Production

Source: Pro Publica

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CLOSE TO HOME

50% increase in food insecurity in MoCo/nationally�
Ag Reserve/Region can be home to many more small scale farms to meet local demand -> culturally appropriate�
Food access equity = food production equity

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Enter Land Link Montgomery…

500+ acres since 2011 –Incubator loss – move forward�
Table crop/commodity/orchards/livestock

Focus on Long Term Leases – building soil

Currently 35 farmers seeking land – 15 Landowners seeking a farmer.��
Trends: BIPOC, Female, Immigrants, Donations

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Who is Land Link Best For?

Farmers with seasons of experience and/or training (community gardens/ ECO City, Future Harvest for example)�
Ready to strike off on their own and understand the risks

Farmers that have thought through the business side and farm needs

Ready to enter into a long term agreement/relationship with good communication

Lease income of course – there are tax benefits in having agricultural activity on your property and ag assessment –you’ll need to discuss this with your tax pro. Each new farm venture benefits the whole community as we have said. Many landowners have a formal or informal agreement to get a share of the harvest which come peak summer tomato time is worth gold. Of course the big benefit is in finding a stewardship partner for your land. We set up a match on 90 acres between Greg Glenn of Rocklands Farm and Sugarlaof Citizens Association for Greg to do a regenerative pilot project there – neighbors are reporting that after one season the drainage issues on their side of the field are much improved. A farmer who is attuned to protecting soil/water/pollinator and other habitats will add value to your property.

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To think through in advance:

Time Commitment

Commute
Water /Power

Equipment/Storage/Fencing
Marketing/Business/ Financial
Legal - *get it in writing*

Lease income of course – there are tax benefits in having agricultural activity on your property and ag assessment –you’ll need to discuss this with your tax pro. Each new farm venture benefits the whole community as we have said. Many landowners have a formal or informal agreement to get a share of the harvest which come peak summer tomato time is worth gold. Of course the big benefit is in finding a stewardship partner for your land. We set up a match on 90 acres between Greg Glenn of Rocklands Farm and Sugarlaof Citizens Association for Greg to do a regenerative pilot project there – neighbors are reporting that after one season the drainage issues on their side of the field are much improved. A farmer who is attuned to protecting soil/water/pollinator and other habitats will add value to your property.

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Apply to Land Link and create your short listing. � “7019 Farmer Seeking Land� We are a mother and daughter duo with a combination of 20+ years of vegetable farming. Seeking 2-10 acres of tillable vegetable farm land to lease or purchase. Land will be used to grow vegetables to sell at local Famers Market and local businesses. Access to water is a big plus, flat tillable acreages and some parts of land to raise chickens for personal use.”�
We help refine your listing�
Pay the one time $30 fee

How it works

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Once accepted we post your listing anonymously on the site and social media.
You can contact any landowners that interest you. Your application is sent to all landowners and if they are interested they get in touch and you discuss a match. �
Hopefully you create a lease agreement and get started.�
When new land is listed we let you know by email

How it works – continued

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Pain Points

Bringing savvy landowners into the program�
Location mismatch/ housing�
Hammering home communication�

Some families want to be really involved in helping to grow food and pitch in – some do not. Livestock kept on your property will need more constant monitoring, table crops less so. It’s important to take some time to think about how you want this land use and this relationship to look and what resources you can offer – water, fencing, storage but also some farmers are seeking housing. Be sure you know what you are willing to give before you jump in. But that being said, there are many farmers and one may come to you offering an opportunity you had not considered. It is important to be open to ideas that might be possible. You’ll want a proper lease and its best if you can have legal assistance to look over it. Above all – communication is key as in any shared space relationship.

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Successful Land Link Matches

Tanya Doka Spandhla – �Passion to Seed Gardening

Niyi and Tope of Dodo Farms

Afrithrive, Inc.

Nia of Beauty Blooms Farm

Some families want to be really involved in helping to grow food and pitch in – some do not. Livestock kept on your property will need more constant monitoring, table crops less so. It’s important to take some time to think about how you want this land use and this relationship to look and what resources you can offer – water, fencing, storage but also some farmers are seeking housing. Be sure you know what you are willing to give before you jump in. But that being said, there are many farmers and one may come to you offering an opportunity you had not considered. It is important to be open to ideas that might be possible. You’ll want a proper lease and its best if you can have legal assistance to look over it. Above all – communication is key as in any shared space relationship.

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Other Resources

MoCo BIPOC Farmers Guide

Group Farming Decision Tool: Cultivemos, Land for Good, Young Farmers

Also: MocoAlliance Producers Resources

Some families want to be really involved in helping to grow food and pitch in – some do not. Livestock kept on your property will need more constant monitoring, table crops less so. It’s important to take some time to think about how you want this land use and this relationship to look and what resources you can offer – water, fencing, storage but also some farmers are seeking housing. Be sure you know what you are willing to give before you jump in. But that being said, there are many farmers and one may come to you offering an opportunity you had not considered. It is important to be open to ideas that might be possible. You’ll want a proper lease and its best if you can have legal assistance to look over it. Above all – communication is key as in any shared space relationship.

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Land Link is One Piece - Challenges Remain

Farmland remains too expensive and out of reach for the populations that want to farm�
Limiting uses that take land out of farming - solar, data centers, some agritourism

Investment at all levels to make a solid pathway for new farms to stand the test of time.

Some families want to be really involved in helping to grow food and pitch in – some do not. Livestock kept on your property will need more constant monitoring, table crops less so. It’s important to take some time to think about how you want this land use and this relationship to look and what resources you can offer – water, fencing, storage but also some farmers are seeking housing. Be sure you know what you are willing to give before you jump in. But that being said, there are many farmers and one may come to you offering an opportunity you had not considered. It is important to be open to ideas that might be possible. You’ll want a proper lease and its best if you can have legal assistance to look over it. Above all – communication is key as in any shared space relationship.

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Thank You!

landlink@mocoalliance.org

Mocolandlink.org