Learn how to go from seed to salary with this course for all beginning farmers of all abilities interested in growing and selling their own farm produce.
Using the “5 F’s” of farming risk (Farming, Family, Finances, Fitness, Future) as a guide, participants will acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully grow to produce for small-scale private or commercial fruit and vegetable production. All participants will receive classes and training on soil health, crop planning, fruit and vegetable production, integrated pest management, no-till production, harvest and storage, safe food handling, marketing/branding, farm business/economics, and tool and equipment maintenance and safety. Further instruction will be provided through monthly farm visits across Maine. Each farm visit will highlight techniques and methods learned during classroom instruction.
Register here.
Registration is open to veterans, family members, and all beginning farmers with disabilities from Nov. 10–17, and open to all beginning Nov. 18.
Space is limited. Preference will be given to participants who are veterans, veteran family members, and/or farmers with a disability.
All classes are taught by UMaine Extension, MOFGA, and local farmer subject matter experts.
Jan. 11: Soil Health — Jason Lilley, UMaine Extension
Jan. 25: Crop Planning
Feb. 8: Small Fruit Production; Safe Food Handling
Feb. 22: Vegetable Production (Leaf, Cucurbit, and Nightshade Vegetables)
March 8: Vegetable Production (Root, Bulb, and Cole Crops)
March 22: Disease Management
April 5: Business planning, Bookkeeping, and Taxes, Marketing/Branding
April 19: Fieldwork: Seedling Production, TBD
May 3: Tools and Equipment maintenance and safety, Kennebec Valley Community College
May 17: Harvest and Storage, King Hill Farm, 29 Faerie Kingdom Road, Penobscot, ME
May 31: Quickbooks, Part 1
June 14: Quickbooks, Part 2
June 29: No-till Farming, Stonecipher Farm, 1186 River Road, Bowdoinham, ME
July 12: Farm Coaching: Communication, Part 1
July 26: Small tools for Small-scale farming, Rustic Roots Farm, 120 Vipah Lane, Farmington, ME
Aug. 9: Marketing/Branding
Aug. 23: Poultry operation, Grace Pond Farm, 530 Main Street, Thomaston, ME
Sep. 6: Farm Coaching: Communication, Part 2
