All Case Studies
Growing Veterans
- Farmers: Chris Wolf is the Farm Manager and oversees hundreds of veterans and volunteers
- Method of Access: Lease with option to purchase
- Acreage: 3 - 40 acres - there are three farms at different locations: Whatcom County Farm, Skagit County Farm, and Auburn Farm
- Location: Washington State
- Year Founded: 2012
- Affordability Tools: Nonprofit status, short-term lease with option to purchase, "pay with product" rent
- Farm Operation: Berries, vegetables
Higher Ground Rooftop Farm
- Farmers: John Stoddard
- Method of Access: Lease
- Acreage: 1.3 acres
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts
- Year Founded: 2013
- Affordability Tools: Urban rooftop farming, lease, fundraising donations
- Farm Operation: Produce, herbs
Hillen Homestead
- Farmers: Maya Kosok
- Method of Access: License, lease pending (rolling lease)
- Acreage: Two lots, about 1/4 acre combined
- Location: Baltimore, Maryland
- Year Founded: 2013
- Affordability Tools: Use of public land
- Farm Operation: Flowers
Hmong American Farmers Association
- Farmers: HAFA members, who typically have over 20 years of experience growing on less than 10 acres of land
- Method of Access: Long-term lease with option to buy
- Acreage: 155 acres
- Location: Vermillion Township, Minnesota
- Year Founded: 2013 (farm), 2011 (HAFA)
- Affordability Tools: Research and incubator farm, conservation easement
- Farm Operation: Vegetables and flowers
Natick Community Organic Farm
- Farmers: Lynda Simkins as Executive Director, additional full-time staff, seasonal and part-time youth, and adult employees/trainees
- Method of Access: Long-term lease on public lands with management contract
- Acreage: 27 acres
- Location: Natick, MA
- Year Founded: 1975
- Affordability Tools: Leasing public lands, nonprofit status
- Farm Operation: Produce, flowers, maple syrup, meat, wool yarn, honey
Pine Island Community Farm
- Farmers: Chuda and Gita Dhaurali, Theogène and Hyacinthe Mahoro
- Method of Access: Lease
- Acreage: 230 acres: 80 acres are grazed, 8 acres are used for vegetable production, and the remaining acreage is used for beekeeping and ecological protection
- Location: Colchester, Vermont
- Year Founded: 2013
- Affordability Tools: Collaborative arrangement, nonprofit status, lease, land trust
- Farm Operation: Vegetables, goats, chickens
Say Hay Farm
- Farmers: Chris Hay
- Method of Access: Lease
- Acreage: 50+ acres
- Location: Esparto, Yolo County, California
- Year Founded: 2010
- Affordability Tools: Long-term lease with option to purchase, long-term lease with right of first refusal
- Farm Operation: Organic vegetables, pastured eggs
Sunbow Farm
- Farmers: Yadira Ruiz and Nate Johnson (junior farmers); Harry MacCormack and Cheri Clark (senior farmers)
- Method of Access: Lease
- Acreage: 15 acres
- Location: Corvallis, Oregon
- Year Founded: 1972
- Affordability Tools: Lease, LLC, living trust
- Farm Operation: Vegetables
Temple-Wilton Community Farm
- Farmers: Lincoln Geiger (dairy), Anthony Graham (vegetables), Benjamin Meier (cheesemaker)
- Method of Access: Long-term leases, fee simple
- Acreage: 200 acres
- Location: Wilton, New Hampshire
- Year Founded: 1986
- Affordability Tools: LLC, nonprofit status, land trust, conservation easements, rolling 99-year ground leases, community fundraising
- Farm Operation: Diversified operation, including raw milk and cheese, biodynamically grown vegetables, pastured broiler chickens, laying hens, pigs, grass-fed beef and veal
Urban Edge Farm
- Farmers: Chang and Ger Xiong, Christina Dedora, Ben Torpey, John Kenny, Michele Kozloski, Garmai Mawolo, Choua and Kia Xiong
- Method of Access: Long-term lease, public lands
- Acreage: 50 acres
- Location: Cranston, Rhode Island
- Year Founded: 2004
- Affordability Tools: Farm incubator, conservation easement, collaborative arrangement, public lands
- Farm Operation: Organic vegetables, eggs, flowers, herbs
The Center for Agriculture and Food Systems is an initiative of Vermont Law School, and this toolkit provides general legal information for educational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute, and should not be relied upon, for legal advice. Each farmer’s circumstances are unique, state laws vary, and the information contained herein is specific to the time of publication. Accordingly, for legal advice, please consult an attorney licensed in your state.