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farmer circles

Farmer Circles are peer learning communities for farmers interested in discussing a particular topic in an informal, supportive environment. Each circle meets for at least 12 hours over the course of about one year and is facilitated by a CT farmer with interest in the subject. There are no teachers or students in the circles, just a community of farmers coming together to learn from each other! The circles are best suited to farmers who have been farming 3+ years, but are open to all.  

CURRENT FARMER CIRCLES - 2025

BIPOC Affinity Circle
Weekly, Sundays at 6 pm
This circle is a space for Black farmers, Indigenous farmers, and Farmers of Color to join together, share common challenges and opportunities, and build power. This is a long-running, stand-alone Circle that was originally incubated at NCTFA. Sign up by emailing r.chang365@gmail.com.

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Rainbow Chard Alliance

This group is for queer farmers and their families- anyone who grows food or ag products at any scale, including farm workers, homesteaders and urban gardens AND identifies as queer, LGBTQIA+ or gender queer.   

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​​​​​Crew Management Farmers Circle

This Farmer Circle is a place for farmers to share experiences, support each other, and help each other create effective systems and the right environment to attract, manage, and maintain a crew. Let's reflect on ourselves and really ask ourselves how we can be better managers. 

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​Mushroom Farmers Circle

This Farmer Circle is a place for Connecticut farmers growing, foraging, and/or cloning mushrooms or interested in learning how from a group of like-minded individuals.  

 

 

 

 

On-Farm Composting Farmer's Circle 

Both farms that have already have composting infrastructure and farmers who have not yet begun to compost on-farm at scale could benefit from sharing knowledge through this Farmer’s Circle.​

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Organic Production 

The Farmer Circle is a place to discuss organic production and certification needs, concerns, and questions.​

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​Hemp Farmer Circle

Our Hemp Farmer Circle is a collaborative space designed for farmers who are passionate about exploring the potential of hemp farming. 

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Do you have an idea for a farmer circle?

Farmer Circles can be regional, topic based, or identity based. As long as there's a group of farmers that want to get together in a semi-structured way for discussions, we'd love to support it. We're always looking for facilitators to lead new groups. Interested? Shoot us an email at newctfarmers@gmail.com with a circle proposal. Your proposal should include:
 

  • The circle topic

  • Why this topic is relevant to CT farmers, and any demonstrated interest you've seen that makes you think this circle would be successful

  • Any relevant facilitation experience you might have

  • What are your learning objectives?

  • How often will the circle meet?

  • Will it be virtual or in person?

  • Will you facilitate every meeting or rotate facilitators/encourage participant presentations?

  • A sample meeting agenda
     

We will assess proposals on a rolling basis. Facilitators receive a yearly stipend of $800.


Please reach out to NCTFA's coordinator, Ella Kennen, at newctfarmers@gmail.com with any questions or comments regarding this project.

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This program is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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