The FarmLASTS Project

FarmLand Access, Succession, Tenure and Stewardship

The project is implemented by a national, multi-disciplinary team. Robert Parsons (University of Vermont) and Kathryn Ruhf (Land For Good) are project directors. We are organized into three working groups: research; education; and outreach. Consulting experts from around the U.S. participate in project activities. In addition, we have a Farmer Advisory Committee and a Professional Advisory Committee.

Research: G.W. Stevenson (University of Wisconsin emeritus) is coordinating three teams led by Jess Gilbert and Michael Bell (University of Wisconsin/ Madison) and John Baker (Iowa State University). Their graduate assistants are Chandra Hinton, Julie Keller (University of Wisconsin/Madison) and Ethan Epley (Iowa State University). The research working group also includes subject matter experts and focus group facilitators.

Education: Charles Steiner (University of Wisconsin/Platteville) is leading the Education team that includes Robin Kohanowich (Central Carolina Community College) and Jen Taylor (School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers, University of Wisconsin/Madison).

Outreach: Dave Goeller (University of Nebraska Extension); Deb Heleba (University of Vermont Extension); Annette Hiatt (Land Loss Prevention Project, NC); Steve Schwartz (California Farm Link) are working with Kathy Ruhf and a media consultant.

Project Partners

• Mary Ahearn is a Senior Economist, USDA Economic Research Service.
• John Baker, attorney, is the administrator of the Beginning Farmer Center at Iowa State University. He also coordinates the International Farm Succession Network.
• Michael Bell is a Professor of Rural Sociology at the University of Wisconsin/Madison.
• Robert Bernstein, Land For Good, NH, has expertise in affordable housing with diverse populations and farm transfer planning.
• Lawrence Dixon, consultant, MA, has worked with socially disadvantaged domestic and international populations on agriculture and food security issues for 18 years.
• Jess Gilbert, Professor of Rural Sociology, University of Wisconsin/Madison has studied farmland ownership for over 20 years.
• Dave Goeller, Agricultural Economics University of Nebraska Extension, is a farm/ranch transition specialist.
• Debra Heleba, program staff with the University of Vermont Extension, has more than 10 years of experience providing education and support for entering and exiting farm families.
• Dania Davey is an attorney at the Land Loss Prevention Project, NC, where she specializes in agricultural land tenure and estate planning.
• Billy Horton, NH, has a Ph.D. in Sociology; he spent several years studying landownership patterns, particularly absentee ownership.
• Brett Melone, executive director, Agriculture and Land Based Training Association (ALBA), CA, works with Hispanic farm workers and limited-resource farmers seeking secure land tenure.
• Robin Kohanowich is the sustainable farming coordinator at Central Carolina Community College in Pittsboro, NC.
• Denise O'Brien, former coordinator, Women, Food and Agriculture Network in Iowa, is also a full-time farmer.
• Robert Parsons is Extension Associate Professor in Farm Management, University of Vermont. He leads a six-state farm transfer education program and instructs on these topics.
• Kathryn Ruhf, Land For Good, MA, has worked on farm entry, tenure and succession issues for 20 years and co-authored several publications on these topics.
• Selena Polston, focus group facilitation trainer, is a professional focus group leader and trainer.
• Steve Schwartz, executive director, California Farm Link, specializes in financing models for land acquisition, and long-term leases.
• Charles Steiner, is an Assistant Professor in Agribusiness, University of Wisconsin/Platteville.
• G.W. (Steve) Stevenson, Associate Director, Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, University of Wisconsin/Madison, emeritus, is a rural sociologist who has studied farm entry and tenure.
• Jennifer Taylor teaches in the School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers at the University of Wisconsin/Madison.