Washington FarmLink is the state’s leading program to link aspiring farmers and landowners and help build sustainable farming operations. FarmLink addresses barriers that farmers face in keeping their land in farming and answers the call for more technical assistance and education.

FarmLink works to help facilitate the transition of farms to the next generation by connecting people with the resources and technical expertise necessary to achieve these goals through:

• a farmer/landowner matching service;
• educational workshops;
• a comprehensive one-stop resource center;
• one-on-one assistance.

Since becoming the home of the program in 2002, over 800 individuals have requested information, enrolled in the program, and/or participated in one of nearly 30 educational workshops, we have helped keep over 300 acres in agricultural production, and have provided hundreds of hours of one-on-one assistance.

Enrollees help support the program with an annual program fee of $35. (To pay fee online, go to http://www.cascadeharvest.org/product and scroll down to FarmLink Program Fee.)

If you would like more information, email Sarah Wilcox at sarah@cascadeharvest.org. To download and enrollment form, click on one of the following links.

Enrollment Form: looking for land / Available in Spanish

Enrollment Form: landowner/current farm operator / Available in Spanish

New Program!  Seeds of Success with Slow Money Northwest and other great partners... a farmer matched savings program.   Applications have been selected for this recent round, but please check out the information and to be ready next time.

Beginning farmers and ranchers who meet program requirements can get up up to $5,000 in savings match funds over 2 years. These funds can be used to purchase equipment or livestock for your farming operation, or to make a down payment on farmland. To qualify for match funding program participants must be part of a farm business training program, incubator, or internship which includes a minimum level of financial literacy and business development training. In addition, participants will check in with the program manager on a quarterly basis and take part in the evaluation efforts.


Photos: Networking Event, 2011 at Full Circle Farm, Carnation, WA

Resources

FarmLink Land Transfer Study, Farmland Changing Hands, learn about innovative ways of farmland transfer. (Tierras Agricolas Cambiando de Manos)

Washington State Office of Farmland Preservation

Washington State Conservation Districts: Find your local conservation district for land management assitance and natural resource protection.

King County Farming and Agriculture Incentives: Ways to reduce taxes and protect farmlands.

Tilth Producers of Washington: The premier organic farming and sustainable agriculture organization of Washington State... Farm Walks, opportunities, directory, and great fall conference in Nov.

Land Trust Alliance: Find a Land Trust near you.
General information on land trusts

Washington Young Farmers Coalition: A grassroots organization both for and by young farmers in Washington state, made up of young growers and their supporters living, learning and working in Washington.

Westcoast & Nationwide Programs:
Oregon - iFarm, Friends of Family Farmers
California - California FarmLink
Nationwide Directory