Land: how to get it? That was the big question asked on the opening day of the annual Future Harvest CASA Conference.
It is a recurring question, especially for beginner farmers, who, according to the National Young Farmers Coalition, cite land access as their No. 1 barrier to entering the field.
Panelists said they wanted to buy land because it would help them scale up and maintain continuity in their operation, allow them to invest in infrastructure and soil health, and give them a valuable long-term asset.
But not just any land will do.
Emma Jagoz had leased several parcels of land before buying Moon Valley Farm in Woodsboro, Maryland.