The Thornburg Foundation and the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) invite you to an interactive discussion with Jim Habana Hafner, Executive Director at Land For Good, on farm and ranch land issues, including:
- Farm and ranch land access and affordability
- Farm and ranch succession and transfer planning
- Land Linking
- Other land issues facing new and beginning farmers (e.g., land search planning, gaining secure tenure, leasing, affordability, pathways to ownership, etc.)
Jim is particularly interested in learning about and from land access issues and initiatives in New Mexico: challenges and trends, service and policy gaps, and innovative responses. More about Jim and Land For Good below.
When: Thursday September 27, 2018, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Location: MRCOG Board Conference Room, 809 Copper Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102
RSVP: by September 21, to: ASimon@mrcog-nm.gov
About Jim: A native of MA, Jim has worked with farmers, NGOs and researchers on land tenure, conservation farming, agro-forestry and watershed management, especially in the Global South. He has graduate degrees in International Agriculture (M.S. Univ. Calif. Davis) and Natural Resources (Ph.D., Cornell Univ.). He has over 20 years experience in program and fund development, outreach and research in international agriculture, community development, and public health. He's taught environmental studies, soil science, and geography at universities on both coasts. Jim joined Land For Good in 2015 as part of a planned leadership succession strategy.
About Land For Good (LFG): LFG's mission is to put more farmers, more securely on more land in New England and beyond. Founded in 2004, we are specialized in farmland access, tenure and transfer – and a national thought-leader on these issues. Working at multiple scales (individual/community to state/region). :LFG combines direct technical assistance with investigation, advocacy, education and capacity building. LFG field agents (current and former farmers) are on the ground across the six-state region, working with farmers, landowners and communities, building partnerships, and strengthening services.To achieve long-term solutions to improve farmland access, LFG develops, promotes and supports diversity and innovation around approaches that benefit farmers as well as landowners and the land. LFG has national presence through its resources, policy advocacy, program consulting, training and speaking.