Many of the region’s farmers are reaching (or long past) retirement age; younger skilled and resourceful farmers are needed to keep those existing farms in production. If the region is to increase the amount of acreage in agricultural production and the production of the local agricultural/food system economy, even more new farmers will be necessary. At the same time, changing tastes, environmental factors, and market conditions will demand that farmers adopt best management practices and continuously improve operations in order to remain sustainable. Access to fiscal and technical resources will help farmers increase their contribution to the local agricultural economy.
12) Increase training opportunities and internships for new farmers
14) Increase financing options for local farmers
15) Provide greater security and longer lease lengths for farmers leasing publicly-owned farmland