RAFFL New Farmer Survey

1. Contact Info - We want to keep in touch, not share your info with others! Required Question

First Name

Last Name

Title

Company Name

Street Address

Apt/Suite/Office

City

State

Postal Code

Country

Email Address

Phone Number

Fax Number

Mobile Phone

URL

2. How would you describe yourself? Required Question

	Farm Worker
	Prospective Farmer
	New or Beginning Farmer
	Other

3. How many years have you been farming? Required Question

4. How would you describe your position?

	Farm Owner
	Hired Farm Manager
	Intern/Apprentice
	Other

5. What type of farm business do you operate?

6. Do you have an off farm job?

	Full Time
	Part Time
	No

7. In the future, are you planning to farm full time (no off farm income)?

YesNo

8. What best describes your farmland situation?

	Renting farmland for my farm business
	Own my farm
	Looking for farmland to buy (where?)
	Other land access plans (please describe)

9. How do you market your products?

10. Have you been successful marketing your products

	Locally
	Statewide
	New England
	Nationally

11. How have you identified your markets?

12. What were/are the biggest challenges facing you in your pursuit of farming?

13. In Rutland County, what services are currently missing that would help you succeed in farming?

14. Please rank the following RAFFL projects aimed to support new farmers (1 = most effective/most important to you, 7 = least effective/least important to you)

	1^st	2	3	4	5	6	7
Series of mixers for new farmers to meet and network
Series of on farm learning opportunities rotating between area farms, focusing on tour, finances, marketing and workshops (like tractor safety, season extension, etc.)
On-line communication tools set up for the Rutland area's new farmers to communicate and build community
"Matchmaking" service between new farmers and market opportunities
"Matchmaking" service between new farmers and State/National farming resources
"Matchmaking" between new farmers and established mentor farmers
"Matchmaking" between farmland available for rent, lease or land-sharing

15. RAFFL is planning an incubator farm, similar to the Intervale in Burlington VT, that will provide new farmers rented land, equipment and infrastructure. This land-based farm development center will help new farmers hone agricultural skills and test the viability and feasibility of their start-up endeavors.

Would you be interested in this Center to start your farm business?

	Yes
	No
	Maybe (please explain)

	Dairy
	Meat
	Diversified Vegetable
	Fruit
	Other

	Direct Sales (farmers' market, farmstand, etc)
	CSA shares
	Supermarkets
	Restaurants
	Other Retail Stores
	Distributor
	Institutional Food Service
	Other