New Entry Sustainable Farming Program

Community Teamwork, Inc.
167 Dutton St.
Lowell, MA 01852
(978) 459-0551

9 Central St., Suite 402
Lowell, MA 01852

The New Entry Sustainable Farming Program (NESFP) is a partnership among the Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition, Science, and Policy, Community Teamwork, Inc., the Massachusetts Department of Food and Agriculture, the USDA Farm Service Agency, community groups and local farmers.

The NESFP is a training and technical assistance program for immigrants and refugees to help build a new generation of farmers in Massachusetts. The program offers training in agriculture, farm business planning, and up to three years on one of its training farms in Lowell, Fitchburg, and Worcester with the goal of helping immigrants become successful new farmers. Download a copy of the New Entry Sustainable Farming Program's latest newsletter.

The NESFP has achieved many accomplishments over the past few years. It has:

Expanded available land and farm equipment for immigrant farmers;
Launched an immigrant and refugee cooperative, PEAS - People Enhancing Agricultural Sustainability
Created the African Production Cooperative;
Assisted farmers to enroll in and sell produce at over 14 farmers' markets in Massachusetts.

Much credit for the progress and success of the NESFP must be given to John Ogonowski, a farmer from Dracut, Massachusetts and an airline pilot who was killed on September 11, 2001 when his plane was hijacked by terrorists and crashed into the World Trade Center. John became involved with the NESFP from the very beginning offering his land as a training site for new farmers. John readily shared his knowledge of agriculture and farming with the immigrants participating in the program. He offered advice about irrigation, fertilizers, pest control and harvesting practices. Due to his generosity and love of farming, immigrant farmers from Cambodia, and now from Africa, have the opportunity to participate in this project and begin their own commercial agricultural business.

For more information about the New Entry Sustainable Farming Program visit the NESFP web site at www.nesfp.nutrition.tufts.edu