New England Small Farm Institute (NESFI) is a land-based, non-profit organization. It was founded in 1978 by a local citizens' action group—Women in Agriculture, Food Policy and Land Use Reform—to encourage more sustainable regional agriculture, Our mission is to promote small farm development by providing information and training for aspiring, beginning and transitioning farmers. We maintain an extensive resource collection; produce publications; develop and offer innovative, farmer-guided programs; and advocate for policies that encourage sustainable small-scale agriculture. We seek collaborative program-delivery partnerships with service providers—associates, on-farm mentors, organizations and agencies—throughout the Northeast and nationwide.



We are located in Belchertown, MA, on Lampson Brook Farmstead, a diverse and beautiful 416-acre property that once served as the Belchertown State School Farm. As a land-based organization, we are offered the challenge of "walking our talk"—implementing the alternative tenure options and environmental stewardship practices that we advocate to others. The Farmstead hosts a number of independent small farm businesses and is the site of a developing on-farm training program and business incubator. Visitors are welcome. Our cultural heritage interpretive program celebrates the site's 250-year farming history and its importance as a National Historic Register working agricultural landscape and state-designated "Special Place of Environmental Significance."



Supporting sustainable small-scale agriculture & beginning farmers throughout New England.



Programs and Resources



Small Farm Development Center



Small Farm Library - a leading regional resource for sustainable agriculture, contains over 5,000 titles, 100 periodicals, and extensive video and microfiche collections...the full range of information a beginning farmer needs. Search the Online Catalog. Selected titles are available for purchase from the NESFI Bookstore. A growing collection is online in our Virtual Library. Explore our librarian`s list of Recommended Agricultural Websites for more resources.



Exploring the Small Farm Dream - A Decision-Making Workbook and Short Course with extensive web-based support.



Courses and Workshops - Upcoming NESFI events, including our winter business training series featuring Exploring Small Farm Dream, Preparing the Soil, and Tilling the Soil of Opportunity.