Learn how to start your own farm from experienced farmers across the Chesapeake region! Spend the winter learning so that you can hit the ground running this spring. Each week we will explore a topic critical to the success of your sustainable farm operation - all growing scales and experience levels are welcome. This class is primarily designed for folks interested in growing vegetables, flowers and herbs in soil; however, many of the topics will apply to all new farming operations. The goal of this class is for you to gain a basic understanding of the following topics and for you to build community with other sustainable farmers.
Class will meet virtually for ten Tuesday evenings from January 9th - March 19th, skipping the week of January 16th due to the 25th Annual Future Harvest Conference. Most classes will feature multiple farmer speakers and will largely be lecture-based with ample opportunity for questions. Students will also complete weekly homework assignments and should expect to spend 30-60 minutes working outside of class each week. While this class is not offered for credit, students can earn a certificate of completion through active participation and homework completion.
Topics will include the following - note that this is a draft schedule and is subject to change based on speaker availability. You can register for individual classes - the exact schedule and speaker roster will be continuously updated.
Week 1, 1/9/23: Introductions, Goal Setting, and Site Selection, speakers include Eric Hines from NRCS and Laura Beth Resnick from Butterbee Farm
Week 2, 1/23/23 (NO CLASS 1/16/23): Intro to Soil Health, speakers include Lisa Garfield from Million Acre Challenge
Week 3, 1/30/23: Plant Pest and Disease Management, speakers include Jack Gurley from Calvert's Gift Farm and Andy Kness from University of Maryland Extension
Week 4, 2/6/23: Farm Systems, Weed Management and Soil Preparation, speakers include Bryan Alexander from Good Dog Farm
Week 5, 2/13/23: Food Safety, Post-Harvest Handling and Record Keeping with Kimberly Raikes, CAIC and Jared Planz, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Clagett Farm
Week 6, 2/20/23: Business Planning and Marketing with Liz Reitzig, Nourishing Liberty
Week 7, 2/27/23: Crop planning, Crop Rotation, and Transplant Production with Casey Gustowarow from Fireside Farm
Week 8, 3/5/23: Intro to Livestock, speakers include Deb Dramby from 56 Hooves; Brian Knox & Jennifer Vaccaro from Where Pigs Fly Farm
Week 9, 3/12/23: Budgeting and Farm Financing with Maya Kosok from Hillen Homestead
Week 10, 3/19/23: Land Access and New Farmer Success Stories
If the registration fee is is a financial barrier, please fill out this scholarship application.
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