Farm Pathways is a collaborative partnership between Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, Organic Growers School, and WNC FarmLink, working to provide a full trajectory in farmer training from aspiring farmer to a viable farm business owner and long-term/secure access to land.
The three nonprofit organizations work together to create Farm Pathways through agricultural land conservation, farm training and mentoring, and connecting farmers to viable farmland — creating pathways for successful agricultural businesses.
SAHC works to conserve the unique plant and animal habitat, clean water, farmland, scenic beauty, and places for people to enjoy outdoor recreation in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee for the benefit of present and future generations.
Organic Growers School is the premiere provider of practical and affordable organic education in the Southern Appalachians, building a vibrant food & farming community by boosting the success of organic home growers and farmers in our region.
NC FarmLink is a partnership facilitating successful relationships between farmers looking for land to farm, and land owners aspiring to keep their farm and forest land in agriculture.
Farm Pathways is made possible with funding from:
USDA NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2016-70017-25341 for Farm Pathways: Integrating Farmer Training with Land Access. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina
Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy (SAHC) was awarded $29,500 to grow the local food economy by expanding its agricultural business incubator for beginning farmers and its hands-on educational workshop series at the Incubator Farm in Alexander. The funds will match and be leveraged by the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant and cover staff, as well as modest equipment, infrastructure and training costs. The Dogwood Charitable Endowment Fund partnered with CFWNC to fund this grant. SAHC, serving as fiscal agent for WNC FarmLink, received $16,000 to support WNC FarmLink, a program to facilitate strong relationships between farmers looking for land to farm and landowners aspiring to keep their farms and forest land in agriculture.