llf press release incubator farm- final
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8/3/2019 Llf Press Release Incubator Farm- Final
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Kate Gebler Lowcountry Local FirstP: [email protected]
www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org
Lowcountry Local First Launches Farm Incubator Program
Social Media:@Lowcountrylocal launches Incubator Farm: So you want to be a farmer?:http://lowcountrylocalfirst.org/?q=initiatives/eat-local/farmer-education-outreach/growing-new-farmers/incubator-farm
Charleston, SC December 19, 2011 - As the local food movement grows, so does theneed to build support, not only for existing farmers, but new farmers and producers aswell. The average age of a farmer in South Carolina is 58 years old and there has beena marked increase in demand for local food. Without a new generation of farmers we
will not be able to meet this demand. Over the past 3 years Lowcountry Local FirstsEat Local Sustainable Agriculture Initiative has been directly addressing the issue of anaging farmer population through The Growing New Farmers apprentice program. Over 40 apprentices on 9 farms have participated in the program since spring of 2010 andthe next step is to find solutions to the challenges facing these new farmers.
Farmers starting a new enterprise are faced with all the risks and challenges of a newbusiness but also must face high start-up, limited access to capital, and the challengesof working in the natural environment. According to Nikki Seibert, LLFs Director ofSustainable Agriculture. To reduce these risks and challenges, LLF is partnering withClemson University to establish the first farm incubator in the state of South Carolina.Farm incubators have proven to be a critical component to growing local agricultureacross the country, providing the leg-up farmers need to establish a solid customer base while building capital for their business and refining their growing technique. TheLLF farm incubator will provide small plots of land, the use of tractors and equipment,infrastructure, packing shed and refrigeration as well as access to a farm mentor andthe expertise of Clemson staff. Farmers who apply to participate in the incubator farmare required to: submit a business plan, have on-farm experience, and participated in anew farmer training program equivalent to either the LLFs Growing New Farmersprogram or the New and Beginning Farmer program.
The opportunity to preserve farmland, support entrepreneurship and grow our localfood economy lies in the success of programs like this. It is imperative that we all invest
in the future of farming because without local farms t here is no local food, statesJamee Haley, LLF Executive Director. To date LLFs Incubator Farm has been supportedby the Charleston Wine & Food Festival, Steen Enterprises, MeadWestvaco, theLowcountry Field Feast and other private donors and foundations. Those interested ininvesting in the future of farming can contact LLF Executive Director, Jamee Haley at
[email protected] and those interested in becoming future farmers pleasecontact Nikki Seibert at [email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/http://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/http://lowcountrylocalfirst.org/?q=initiatives/eat-local/farmer-education-outreach/growing-new-farmers/incubator-farmhttp://lowcountrylocalfirst.org/?q=initiatives/eat-local/farmer-education-outreach/growing-new-farmers/incubator-farmhttp://lowcountrylocalfirst.org/?q=initiatives/eat-local/farmer-education-outreach/growing-new-farmers/incubator-farmhttp://lowcountrylocalfirst.org/?q=initiatives/eat-local/farmer-education-outreach/growing-new-farmers/incubator-farmhttp://lowcountrylocalfirst.org/?q=initiatives/eat-local/farmer-education-outreach/growing-new-farmers/incubator-farmhttp://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/mailto:[email protected] -
8/3/2019 Llf Press Release Incubator Farm- Final
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LOWCOUNTRY LOCAL FIRST
A Charleston, South Carolina based 501c3 non-profit, Lowcountry Local First (LLF) is analliance committed to educating and encouraging the public to invest in their local
economy with their dollars, their voices, their votes and their hearts. LLF is the 44thmember organization in a national network of non-profits dedicated to strengtheningtheir local economies, called the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. LLF iscommitted to advocate for and promote all local businesses and farmers to cultivate amore localized economy through Eat Local and Buy Local programs and initiatives. Tolearn more about LLF, visit www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org .
http://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/http://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/http://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/http://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.org/