The North Carolina

Farm Transition Network, Inc.

News Release www.ncftn.org

October 31, 2005

NCFTN Signs Cooperative Agreement with USDA Risk Management Agency

The North Carolina Farm Transition Network, Inc., has entered into a partnership agreement with the USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA). The agreement, a Commodity Partnership, was awarded under RMA's Risk Management Education program, enables NCFTN to continue its outreach and education to North Carolina producers on risk management related to the generational transfers of farm businesses and assets.

NCFTN was formed in 2004 to develop services related to an aging farmer population, with the mission to assist current farmers and rural landowners in the effective transition of their farm operations and assets to a successor. NCFTN's Board of Directors includes representatives from the North Carolina Farm Bureau Federation, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, NCDA&CS, American Farmland Trust, Rural Advancement Foundation International, and Conservation Trust for North Carolina.

“The organizations represented on NCFTN's board have rallied around one central issue in production agriculture: how to overcome the gap in production management expertise that will develop as so many farmers enter retirement,” said Andrew Branan, executive director of NCFTN. “This board represents a statewide framework for delivering risk management education and services on this issue directly to producers.”

The 2005 partnership agreement is a renewal of a successful partnership between NCFTN and RMA for the 2006 production season.

For more information on NCFTN, including succession planning, risk management resources, and educational events, visit www.ncftn.org or www.rma.usda.gov

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The North Carolina Farm Transition Network, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organized to provide risk management education, resources and assistance on farm business succession to farm families across North Carolina. NCFTN also assists beginning farmers in developing strategies for farm asset acquisition and development of farm management skills.

Contact: Andrew Branan, executive director

(919) 782-1705 ext. 8290 or abranan@ncfb.net