Local Farmers Plan to Continue Farming

A recent study of local farmers in Essex County and the Merrimack Valley by the Essex County and Merimack Valley Buy Local Program (ECMVBL) has found that over 90% of local Essex County and Merrimack Valley farmers expect to be in business for the next five years and 80 percent expect to remain in farming for the next ten years.

Of the farms reporting, 10 percent began operation in the 1600s and 13% began in the 18th and 19th centuries. Appleton Farm in Ipswich, now owned by The Trustees of Reservations is the oldest farm dating back to 1636.

While 20 percent of the farmers come from at least five generations of farming, thirty percent of the surveyed farmers are first generation farmers. Seventy-two percent of the farms have a family member that may be or is definitely interested in carrying on the farm.

Most farm sales are direct to the local consumer: sixty percent of farmers reported 90 to 100 percent of their sales are retail. Still, farm financing is challenging with 63 percent of farmers reporting that they had borrowed money in the last year. Sixty-one percent of farmers reported they had lost between 10 and 30 percent of their harvest to deer, birds and other wildlife. Sixteen percent of farm land does not produce a harvest as it is open space, wetlands and wildlife habitats.

One hundred and fifteen farmers participated in the survey, a 90% return rate. The survey was distributed in late 2006 and the results were completed by May 2007. Farmers were identified through lists provided by the Food Project North Shore, the Merrimack Valley Planning commission, the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture and the Buy Local Program. The Food Project and the Essex National Heritage Commission provided assistance in contacting farmers to complete the survey.

Based on survey information, the Essex National Heritage Commission and the ECMVBL have prepared a guide to local farms in the Essex National Heritage Area. The guide provides locations, hours, produce and directions to farms with retail operations. A print copy of the guide, funded by a grant from the North of Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been produced and will be available at local farm stands and from the ENHC. The guide is also available online at: EssexHeritage.org/farms and BuyFresh.org.

An online copy of the survey results is available at BuyFresh.org/survey.pdf

For further information, please email Christine Rasmussen, Executive Director, ECMVBL.

Why not visit a local farm market today and taste the difference? Your taste buds will thank you.