Upcoming Classes for Aspiring and Start-Up Farmers

Register now for beginning farmer courses.

No matter what stage your farm business is in, UVM Extension offers classes to help you reach your full potential. Following are courses offered by the New Farmer Project this winter:

Building A Sustainable Business

January 18 - Feb. 12, 2016

This course guides participants through developing a business plan for start-up and/or early stage farm businesses. Geared to people who have at least one year's commercial farm operation experience, Building a Sustainable Business helps early stage farm business operators create a practical business plan rooted firmly in personal, community, economic and environmental values. Please register online by January 10 to avoid late fees.

Growing Places

January 26-Feb. 23 2016

The Growing Places Course helps beginning farmers learn the nuts and bolts of successful farm business start-up. Participants learn about: goal setting and decision making; financial and business management; accessing capital and credit; and, marketing. The course also helps participants build basic business skills and improve access to USDA program and services that support new farm and forestry businesses. Topics are relevant to a broad range of agricultural enterprises, from produce to livestock and forest and value-added products like maple. Please register online by January 10 to avoid late fees.

Offered online, both Building a Sustainable Business and Growing Places Online are instructor-led, "asynchronous," courses, meaning that participants can do the work when it fits in your schedule. Webinars provide opportunities for "real-time" interaction with the instructor, other students and guest speakers.

Learn more and register at the New Farmer Project website.

New! Financial assistance for military veterans!
Through a new partnership with a USDA-funded program at Sterling College, military veterans are eligible for scholarship to UVM Extension New Farmer Project courses, and will also be eligible for individual follow-up individual technical assistance.

Pre-registration is required. Financial assistance is available for qualified applicants.To learn more about these options, please contact Beth Holtzman or call 802-476-2003.

More course information and online registration can be found on the "Classes" page of the New Farmer Project website. For questions and additional information, email newfarmer@uvm.edu. Disability-related accommodations are available. To request a disability-related accommodation to participate, contact Beth Holtzman at 802-476-2003 by January 7.

The Vermont New Farmer Project is a collaboration of Vermont organizations committed to developing a continuum of support for Vermont's beginning farmers.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont. University of Vermont Extension, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or familial status.