Farmers Forum offers agriculturists resources, creative solutions and networking opportunities
countytimes.com |
Thursday, February 4, 2016
By Catherine Guarnieri
[email protected]
@LCTCat on Twitter
LITCHFIELD >> Local farmers have found it increasingly difficult over the past few years to maintain their operations without falling into debt or slowly lose bits and pieces of assets owned by their families for several generations. In response to this need for creative solutions to ongoing agricultural dilemmas, The Farmer’s Table, a countywide program of Litchfield-based Partners for Sustainable Healthy Communities, hosted the Litchfield Hills Farmers Forum.
The free, day-long event, held this Saturday at Wamogo Regional High School in Litchfield, offered eight workshops for area farmers and farming advocates.
The first segment of the day, titled “New Foods/New Markets,” featured three presenters: Phillipe Bernard, a New York chef and owner of three successful restaurants; Bill Finnegan, of Finnegan’s Farm West, a New Milford organic farmer; and Christopher Washington, co-founder of Radicle Farms, and three other ventures specializing in hydroponic, traditional and year-round farming.
The three-man team introduced attendees to the general concepts driving the forum and spoke of the rapid increase in both demand and supply of locally grown produce. Connecticut is aiming to develop policies that will encourage residents to increase locally grown purchases by 5 percent by 2020.
“Farm Liability — From the Ground Up,” presented by Attorney Michael D. Rybak, introduced the types of liabilities that farmers may face in their operations with regard to various ownership types, the legalities of owning animals, product liability and how to protect farm assets.
The third segment, “Access to Farmland: How to find, afford, evaluate and secure land for Farming” was presented by Rachel Murray, a field agent for Land for Good, and Mark Palladino and Joan Guglielmino, both of Wild Carrot Farm LLC in Canton. The team discussed challenges to land access, tenure, leasing, ownership and resources for farmers to explore depending on their needs.
Attorney Lisa Marie Rivas of Cramer & Anderson LLP in Danbury spoke on farm employment liability and the legal requirements for hiring laborers, forms needed and tax implications for the employer and employee.
Heather Sandford of The Piggery, a small artisanal butcher shop in Ithaca, New York, presented ideas for branding and marketing a farm’s products. She detailed creative and inexpensive methods for making a brand stand out from the competition.
“Where’s the Money?” presented by Jaime Smith of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, explored grant applications. This rather extensive segment centered around tips to write successful grants, whether federal or state, and how to make them stand out worthy of funding.
“Using Smartphones to Help Manage the Farm,” drew a large crowd. Danielle Fleckenstein of Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards and 1911 Spirits presented inventive ways that farmers may utilize smart phone technology to market products, keep track of sales and offer returning and new customers special deals.
The last segment of the day was “Food Hub Feasibility Study Update.” This study explores whether a food hub for the Northwest Corner would be sustainable. The study was funded by a matching grant from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and is the brainchild of the Northwest Council of Governments, Partners for Suntainable Healthy Communities, several community stakeholders and New Venture Advisors. A regional food hub has been proposed that would focus on purchasing, aggregating and providing cold storage for locally produced foods to be distributed to food wholesalers, schools and social service organizations.
The forum was well-attended by approximately 100 area farmers, many of whom expressed interest in future forums and were pleased with the detailed knowledge offered by the Farmers Forum facilitators.
Jesse Nivolo, of HillJack Sugar Shack, in Litchfield, attended five of the presentations. He found the “Access to Farmland” segment of particular interest. Nivolo, whose business also produces honey, eggs and fudge, in addition to maple syrup, said, “We depend on the generosity of our neighbors to tap maple trees.”
“It would be great to have some other resources we can depend on, whether it’s having access to state land or acquiring more acreage,” he said. “We have about 20 acres that we gather from, but it’s not always reliable. So this gave us some ideas.”
He said the forum offered some great resources.
“I look forward to doing it again next year,” he said.
Event coordinator Lisa Arasim said, “We’re really pleased with the turnout and hope to hold another forum very soon.”
© 2016 The Litchfield County Times, a 21st Century Media Property
countytimes.com |
Thursday, February 4, 2016
By Catherine Guarnieri
[email protected]
@LCTCat on Twitter
LITCHFIELD >> Local farmers have found it increasingly difficult over the past few years to maintain their operations without falling into debt or slowly lose bits and pieces of assets owned by their families for several generations. In response to this need for creative solutions to ongoing agricultural dilemmas, The Farmer’s Table, a countywide program of Litchfield-based Partners for Sustainable Healthy Communities, hosted the Litchfield Hills Farmers Forum.
The free, day-long event, held this Saturday at Wamogo Regional High School in Litchfield, offered eight workshops for area farmers and farming advocates.
The first segment of the day, titled “New Foods/New Markets,” featured three presenters: Phillipe Bernard, a New York chef and owner of three successful restaurants; Bill Finnegan, of Finnegan’s Farm West, a New Milford organic farmer; and Christopher Washington, co-founder of Radicle Farms, and three other ventures specializing in hydroponic, traditional and year-round farming.
The three-man team introduced attendees to the general concepts driving the forum and spoke of the rapid increase in both demand and supply of locally grown produce. Connecticut is aiming to develop policies that will encourage residents to increase locally grown purchases by 5 percent by 2020.
“Farm Liability — From the Ground Up,” presented by Attorney Michael D. Rybak, introduced the types of liabilities that farmers may face in their operations with regard to various ownership types, the legalities of owning animals, product liability and how to protect farm assets.
The third segment, “Access to Farmland: How to find, afford, evaluate and secure land for Farming” was presented by Rachel Murray, a field agent for Land for Good, and Mark Palladino and Joan Guglielmino, both of Wild Carrot Farm LLC in Canton. The team discussed challenges to land access, tenure, leasing, ownership and resources for farmers to explore depending on their needs.
Attorney Lisa Marie Rivas of Cramer & Anderson LLP in Danbury spoke on farm employment liability and the legal requirements for hiring laborers, forms needed and tax implications for the employer and employee.
Heather Sandford of The Piggery, a small artisanal butcher shop in Ithaca, New York, presented ideas for branding and marketing a farm’s products. She detailed creative and inexpensive methods for making a brand stand out from the competition.
“Where’s the Money?” presented by Jaime Smith of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, explored grant applications. This rather extensive segment centered around tips to write successful grants, whether federal or state, and how to make them stand out worthy of funding.
“Using Smartphones to Help Manage the Farm,” drew a large crowd. Danielle Fleckenstein of Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards and 1911 Spirits presented inventive ways that farmers may utilize smart phone technology to market products, keep track of sales and offer returning and new customers special deals.
The last segment of the day was “Food Hub Feasibility Study Update.” This study explores whether a food hub for the Northwest Corner would be sustainable. The study was funded by a matching grant from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and is the brainchild of the Northwest Council of Governments, Partners for Suntainable Healthy Communities, several community stakeholders and New Venture Advisors. A regional food hub has been proposed that would focus on purchasing, aggregating and providing cold storage for locally produced foods to be distributed to food wholesalers, schools and social service organizations.
The forum was well-attended by approximately 100 area farmers, many of whom expressed interest in future forums and were pleased with the detailed knowledge offered by the Farmers Forum facilitators.
Jesse Nivolo, of HillJack Sugar Shack, in Litchfield, attended five of the presentations. He found the “Access to Farmland” segment of particular interest. Nivolo, whose business also produces honey, eggs and fudge, in addition to maple syrup, said, “We depend on the generosity of our neighbors to tap maple trees.”
“It would be great to have some other resources we can depend on, whether it’s having access to state land or acquiring more acreage,” he said. “We have about 20 acres that we gather from, but it’s not always reliable. So this gave us some ideas.”
He said the forum offered some great resources.
“I look forward to doing it again next year,” he said.
Event coordinator Lisa Arasim said, “We’re really pleased with the turnout and hope to hold another forum very soon.”
© 2016 The Litchfield County Times, a 21st Century Media Property