The Piedmont Farm School that is a great way to help answer these questions and more for individuals who are seriously considering or currently involved in farming and is designed to provide training in production practices and business planning.
This school will offer seven business-planning seminars that will provide you the tools to create a viable business plan for a small-scale, economically sustainable farm enterprise. This training will include seven field trips to different working farms around the region led by successful innovative farmers and agricultural professionals.
Each month from February to June and September to October, the group will meet one evening for business training and on another day for a field trip to local farms. Field trip topics include the following: whole farm planning, livestock basics (beef cattle, hogs, meat and dairy goats, poultry), fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, agritourism, and marketing.
Check out the brochure for more information about registration and cost.
Feb. 12
‐ Whole Farm Planning
Feb. 28
‐ Farm Trip to Peregrine Farm in Alamance County
March 12
‐ Farm Planning
March 28
‐ Small Scale Dairy Goat Lady Dairy in Liberty, NC Buffalo Creek Farm and Creamery, LLC in Germanton, NC
April 9
‐ Financial Record Keeping
April 25
‐ Specialty Crops Farm Trip (Hops & Mushrooms) in Yadkin & Iredell Counties
May 14
‐ Farm History & Current Situation "What Have You Got?”
May 30
‐ Fruits Farm Trip to High Rock Nursery and The Persimmon Branch
June 11
‐ Marketing Fundamentals
June 27
‐ Vegetables Farm Trip to Piedmont Research Station
Salisbury and Correll Farms, Cleveland in Rowan County
September 10
‐ Your Business Planning
September 26
‐ Pasture Pork and Poultry Farm
Trip to Wild Turkey Farm in Rowan County
October 8
‐ Student Review
October 27
‐ Agritourism, Marketing Sanders Ridge Winery, Vineyard & Organic Farm, in Booneville
Thank you so much for posting all of these wonderful opportunities! I found the Farm School because of your listing and now I'm signed up for this year! :) We're getting ready to list or neighborhood house and hoping to buy a few acres soon so I can start a local foods business. Such perfect timing for farm school. :)
ReplyDeleteBecky, Plans have changed and you'll actually be coming to our farm for the Small Scale Dairy tour at the end of March!
DeleteYou're welcome, it does look like it'll be a lot of fun and a great learning experience. If you're every out our way, stop by to see our farm!
ReplyDelete