The NOFA-NY Journeyperson Program is part of a multi-state project to support farmers in their first few years of independent farming, modeled off a highly successful program piloted by the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA).  Seven Northeast states (New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine) provide the new farmers with two years of educational and business planning stipends, support of a paid farmer mentor, educational and networking opportunities and a specific commitment from the state chapter and interstate collaborative team to ensure that this small group of farmers is able to find sure footing in their first few years of farming independently.

The application process begins in early winter.  Interested farmers complete the application form that can be downloaded at the bottom of this page or requested from the NOFA-NY office.  Interviews will be requested of highly competitive applicants.  Journeyperson farmers are invited to a yearly get-together as a regional peer group and have the chance to participate in online discussion groups with the other program participants.  For more information, farmers should contact the Beginning Farmer Program at newfarmers@nofany.org or (585) 271-1979 ext. 511.  Interested mentor farmers should also use this contact information.

2012 Dates and Information:

All dates have passed for 2012.  Our 2012 Journeyperson Farmers are Rich Woodbridge and Bree Bacon of McCollum Orchards in Lockport, NY and Jen Carson of Great Song Farm in Milan, NY.

Journeyperson Application Deadline: February 8th, 2012

Interview notification On or Around: February 24th, 2012

In-Person Interviews: Final week in February/First Week in March

Final notification: Early/Mid-March

2012 NOFA-NY Journeyperson Program application (.doc format)

2012 NOFA-NY Journeyperson Program application (.pdf format)