growing the next generation of farmers · ogs farm beginnings introduction and application packet...

Growing the Next Generation of Farmers

Please complete the following assessment to assist you in determine the appropriate place t plug into regional training opportunities. **If you answer YES to 2 or more of the questions in each step, proceed to the next step… **If you answer NO to two or more of these questions, consider participating in the suggested opportunity…

Step 1: Emerging Farmer YES NO

I have attended more than one conference or workshop dealing with sustainable agriculture or homesteading.

I have visited a working farm or homestead in the last two years

I have participated in a work related activity on a farm in the last two years.

Step 2: In-Training Farmer YES NO

I have explored several different possible farming enterprises

I have apprenticed/worked one or more farms.

I have explored the idea and components of operating my own farm.

I feel I am ready for an intense, long-term farm enterprise planning course

Step 3: Start-up Farmer YES NO

I have explored how to make farming a career or a way to generate supplemental income.

I understand the planning process that goes into starting a farm business.

I have created a detailed plan for my future farming enterprise.

I am well connected to the established sustainable agriculture community.

Step 4: Seasoned Farmer YES

I have completed the Farm Beginnings Program

I am interested in further support to make my farm business more successful.

I have identified several areas in my business that could use additional support

I am well connected to the established sustainable agriculture community.

Farm Learning Opportunities & Farm Dreams Field days/Skill Sessions/Farm Tour

Conferences/Workshops Practice growing where you live.

Attend OGS Spring & Harvest Conferences, seasonal Cooperative Extension Workshops; Sign up for Farm

Dreams

FARM BEGINNINGS® Year-long training program/Whole Farm & enterprise planning/ Connection to a farmer network/Growing

season learning plan/On-Farm Field days & workshops

Apply for Farm Beginnings

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE Individualized syllabus/Production, marketing and financing assistance/Address land access/Equity

building opportunities/Mentorship with an experienced farmer

Contact Cooperative Extension for one-on-one consultation, Connect with the Southern Appalachian

Highlands Conservancy & WNC FarmLink for land access support

ON-FARM TRAINING ACTIVITIES Work Exchanges/Internships/Farm Employment

Field days/Skill Sessions/Farm Tour; Conferences/Workshops

Find on-farm work with OGS’s Apprentice Link, Join the CRAFT Farmer Network

Growing the Next Generation of Farmers

From Seed to Success

Step 1: EMERGING - Farm Learning Opportunities & Farm Dreams

Field days/Skill Sessions/Farm Tour Conferences/Workshops

Practice growing where you live.

Step 2: IN-TRAINING - On-farm Training Activities Work Exchanges/Internships/Farm Employment

Field days/Skill Sessions/Farm Tours Conferences/Workshops

Step 3: START-UP - Farm Beginnings Year-long training program

Whole Farm & enterprise planning Connection to a farmer network

Growing season learning plan On-Farm Field days & workshops

Step 4: SEASONED - Technical Assistance Individualized syllabus

Production, marketing and financing assistance Address land access/Equity building opportunities

Mentorship with an experienced farmer

EMERGING Have you attended any conferences or workshops dealing with

sustainable farming or homesteading? Have you visited a working farm? Have you participated in any work related activities on a farm? Are you interested in exploring the possibilities of farming?

IN-TRAINING Have you taken Farm Dreams? Are you looking for the next step in exploring the idea of operating

your own farm? Have had significant on-farm work experience on one or more

farms? Are you not sure if you’re ready to take Farm Beginnings?

START-UP Are you considering a farming as a career or significant portion of

your livelihood? Would you like to further explore the planning process that goes

into starting a farm business? Are you ready to create a holistic farm plan? Would you like to be better connected to the sustainable agriculture

community?

SEASONED Have you completed the Farm Beginnings program? Are you interested in further support to make your farm business

more successful? Have you identified several areas in your business that could use

additional support?

OGS Farm Beginnings Introduction and Application Packet 2016-2017 1

Application For

OGS Farm Beginnings®

Farmer Training October 2016-September 2017

The Farm Beginnings® class is a 12-month training session that helps beginning farmers clarify their goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan and start building their operation. The course uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network. Farm Beginnings® is designed for new and prospective farmers who want to plan a profitable farm business. Students do not need to currently own land, but some farming or production experience is required. Please be sure to read the OGS Farm Beginnings website here. And be sure to read this document and understand the requirements to participate. This year-long training is a big commitment. Be sure you understand the in’s and out's.

Course Fee: $2500/ per farm, up to 2 farm business partners (Scholarships & Payment Plans available)

The course fee includes a total of 150+ hours of class time:

● 60 hours of class instruction ● 28 hours of WNC CRAFT Farm Tours ● 14-20 hours of Field Days at the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

Incubator Farm ● 40+ hours of classes at the OGS Spring Conference and Harvest Conference ● 8 hours at ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference

Application deadline:

August 31st, 2016

To apply, please send completed application via mail to the address below, or email [email protected]. You will be notified regarding acceptance or denial via email once we have reviewed all applications after August 31st. Mailing Address: Organic Growers School, PO Box 17804 Asheville, NC 28816 Email Address: [email protected]

http://organicgrowersschool.org/farm-beginnings/

mailto:[email protected]


Space is limited. We would like to keep our participants under 20 to allow more time for interactions between guest speakers and participants.

If you are unable to pay the full course registration, we encourage you to apply for the scholarship application. You can also check out our “How to Fundraise” tips on our website: http://organicgrowersschool.org/farm-beginnings/farm-beginnings-scholarship-information

If you have any questions contact: [email protected] or 828-338-9465

A. Course Dates and Times—October ‘16 to September ‘17

Organic Growers School's Farm Beginnings Farmer Training Program, 2016-2017 Schedule

Dates: Topics: Hrs. Color Key:

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Winter Session 1: Orientation, Syllabus/Calendar Review, Goals, Introductions 7

Core Curriculum

Wednesday, October 26, 2016 Winter Session 2: Holistic Management 3 Agroecology

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Winter Session 3: Intro to Business/ Economy of Scale 3 OGS Events

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Winter Session 4: Intro to Food Systems & Agroecology 1 & Soils 7 Other Events

Wednesday, November 30, 2016 Winter Session 5: Financial Planning 101 3 Production

Wednesday, December 14, 2016 Winter Session 6: Financial Planning 102 3

Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Winter Session 7: Operating a Farm Business, Start-up & Capitalization, Legal, Taxes 3

Saturday, January 21, 2017

Winter Session 8: Agroecology 2 Ecosystem Process #1 & #2 7

Winter Session 8: Financial Planning 103

Wednesday, February 1, 2017 Winter Session 9: Marketing 3

Saturday, February 11, 2017

Winter Session 10: Agroecology 3 Ecosystem Process #3 & #4 7

Winter Session 10: Land Access & Land Management/Use

Saturday, February 25, 2017 ASAP's Business of Farming Conference 8

Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Winter Session 11: Realities from the Field - Buyer & Farmer Panel 3

Friday, March 10, 2017 OGS Spring Conference: Pre-Conference Workshops 8

Saturday, March 11, 2017 OGS Spring Conference: Beginning Farmer Track 8

http://organicgrowersschool.org/farm-beginnings/farm-beginnings-scholarship-information/


Sunday, March 12, 2017 OGS Spring Conference: Beginning Farmer Track 8

Wednesday, March 15, 2017 Snow Day

Wednesday, March 22, 2017 Growing Season Learning Plan Workday 3

April Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4

May Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4

June Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4

April-November Date TBD

SAHC Workshop Series - 7-10 Workshops throughout the summer & fall months 14

July Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4

August Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4

September Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4

September 1, 2017 Due Date for Farm Proposals & Growing Season Learning Plans

Friday, September 8, 2017

OGS Harvest Conference: Pre-Conference Workshops 8

Saturday, September 9, 2017 OGS Harvest Conference 8

Saturday, September 16, 2017 Presentations & Graduation Celebration 8

October Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4

Home Study Hours for Certification: 50

Total # of Hours: 200

LOCATION: All sessions are held at the Southern Appalachians Highlands Conservancy

Incubator Farm in Alexander, NC

SNOWDATE: Wednesday, March 15th, 6-9pm (Please keep this date open.)


Primary Applicant Contact Information Name(s):

______________________________________________________________

Farm Name (if applicable)

________________________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________

City:_______________________________________ State: ________

Zip_______

County: ______________

Email Address: _________________

Phone: (in order of preference)

(1st choice) __________________________________Home/Work/Cell (circle one)

(2nd choice) _________________________________Home/Work/Cell (circle one)

May we call you at work? _____ Yes _____ No

Will a family or business partner attend OGS FB with you? _____ Yes _____ No Please list an emergency contact person: ______________________________________________ Do you have any allergies or other medical conditions that is important for us to know about?__________________________________ **If YES, please have partner complete a Partner Application (enclosed). Partner’s Name:

_______________________________________________________________

Partner’s Relationship to you:

_____________________________________________________

Primary Applicant Name:

_______________________________________________________

(If you need more space than provided, please attach additional sheets.)


Check all that apply:

❏ Emerging Farmer

❏ In-training Farmer

❏ Start-up Farmer

❏ Seasoned Farmer

❏ Currently farming trying to expand my farm enterprise

❏ Community gardener/urban farmer

❏ Current farm landowner

❏ Interested in working in agriculture but not as a farm owner

1.How did you first hear about Farm Beginnings©? 2. How will this agricultural training fit into your future plans? 3. Indicate which best describes your intended farming involvement in 5-10 years (check as many as apply):

❏ Full-time farming only

❏ Part-time (with off farm work)

❏ Full time (with off farm work)

❏ Farm worker

❏ Farm manager

❏ Farmland owner

❏ Vegetables

❏ Fruits

❏ Mushrooms

❏ Other (products, markets, etc.):

___________________________________________________________________

____


4. Why are you interested in Farm Beginnings® ? Explain your passion and capacity for farming. How did you come to this dream? How long have you been interested in farming? 5. What kind of knowledge and skills do you hope to achieve by attending Farm Beginnings®? 6. Please indicate your highest level of education:

❏ Some high school

❏ High school diploma

❏ Some college

❏ Bachelor’s degree

❏ Graduate /Professional Degree

❏ Technical school degree

❏ School of Life degree

7. Provide a brief summary of the school(s) you have attended and your work experience including present occupations (or attach resume).


8. Please describe your prior farming experience. Please include any formal Ag training, any agricultural jobs, apprenticeships, trainings or workshops attended, or experience you have had. Name any farms or gardens where you have worked. If you have no farming experience, please describe any experience you have related to gardening or raising animals.

9. Briefly describe any non-Ag experience or formal training that you believe will apply to starting and running a farm business (ie- management, accounting, supervising employees, market managing, chef, carpentry, etc). 10. Are you currently farming? (For the purposes of this application, “farming” can include starting a farm, transitioning an existing farm from conventional to sustainable and/or working as a manager, employee or intern on someone else’s farm. _____ Yes _____ No 11. What do you see as your biggest obstacle in starting your own farm operation?


12. Indicate the areas you are specifically interested in working on during the Farm Beginnings© training. Check all that apply:

❏ Financial planning

❏ Exposure to sustainable agricultural

practices

❏ Business start up and management

❏ Networking with other farmers

❏ Marketing

❏ Quality of life issues

❏ Legal issues and regulations

❏ Lowering production costs

❏ Profit and loss projections

❏ Land Access options

❏ Access to lending and capital

❏ Production Skills

❏ Enterprise development

Other (please list) __________________________________________________

13. What farming enterprise(s) are you considering? (check all that apply)

❏ Dairy ❏ Beef ❏ Sheep (meat) ❏ Sheep (fiber) ❏ Goats ❏ Hogs ❏ Poultry (eggs) ❏ Poultry (meat) ❏ Vegetables ❏ Flowers

❏ Honey ❏ Medicinal herbs ❏ Mushrooms ❏ Forest products ❏ Agri-tourism ❏ Fruits ❏ Grains ❏ Therapeutic farm ❏ Education ❏ Agritourism

other (please list) _________________________________________________ 14. After completing the Farm Beginnings© program, when do you hope to be farming?

_____ Already farming _____ Within 1 year _____ 2-3 years _____ 4-5 years _____ More than 5 years

15. What do you intend to get out of this training program. In your own words what do you imagine will be different in your life after a year of FB?


16. Please share any questions, concerns or comments you have about the Farm Beginnings® program. 17. Please list one personal and one business reference. (Name, phone, and email only.)


Partner Applicant Contact Information:

Name(s):

______________________________________________________________

Farm Name (if applicable)

________________________________________________________

Address:__________________________________________________

City:_______________________________________ State: ________

Zip_______

County: ______________

Email Address: _________________

Phone: (in order of preference)

(1st choice) __________________________________Home/Work/Cell (circle one)

(2nd choice) _________________________________Home/Work/Cell (circle one)

May we call you at work? _____ Yes _____ No

Will a family or business partner attend OGS FB with you? _____ Yes _____ No Please list an emergency contact person: ______________________________________________ Do you have any allergies or other medical conditions that is important for us to know about?__________________________________ **If YES, please have partner complete a Partner Application (enclosed). Partner’s Name:

_______________________________________________________________

Partner’s Relationship to you:

_____________________________________________________

Primary Applicant Name:

_______________________________________________________

(If you need more space than provided, please attach additional sheets.)


Check all that apply:

❏ Emerging Farmer

❏ In-training Farmer

❏ Start-up Farmer

❏ Seasoned Farmer

❏ Currently farming trying to expand my farm enterprise

❏ Community gardener/urban farmer

❏ Current farm landowner

❏ Interested in working in agriculture but not as a farm owner

1.How did you first hear about Farm Beginnings©? 2. How will this agricultural training fit into your future plans? 3. Indicate which best describes your intended farming involvement in 5-10 years (check as many as apply):

❏ Full-time farming only

❏ Part-time (with off farm work)

❏ Full time (with off farm work)

❏ Farm worker

❏ Farm manager

❏ Farmland owner

❏ Vegetables

❏ Fruits

❏ Mushrooms


❏ Other (products, markets, etc.):

___________________________________________________________________

____

4. Why are you interested in Farm Beginnings® ? Explain your passion and capacity for farming. How did you come to this dream? How long have you been interested in farming? 5. What kind of knowledge and skills do you hope to achieve by attending Farm Beginnings®? 6. Please indicate your highest level of education:

❏ Some high school

❏ High school diploma

❏ Some college

❏ Bachelor’s degree

❏ Graduate /Professional Degree

❏ Technical school degree

❏ School of Life degree

7. Provide a brief summary of the school(s) you have attended and your work experience including present occupations (or attach resume).


8. Please describe your prior farming experience. Please include any formal Ag training, any agricultural jobs,apprenticeships, trainings or workshops attended, or experience you have had. Name any farms or gardens where you have worked. If you have no farming experience, please describe any experience you have related to gardening or raising animals.

9. Briefly describe any non-Ag experience or formal training that you believe will apply to starting and running a farm business (ie- management, accounting, supervising employees, market managing, chef, carpentry, etc). 10. Are you currently farming? (For the purposes of this application, “farming” can include starting a farm, transitioning an existing farm from conventional to sustainable and/or working as a manager, employee or intern on someone else’s farm. _____ Yes _____ No 11. What do you see as your biggest obstacle in starting your own farm operation? 12. Indicate the areas you are specifically interested in working on during the Farm Beginnings© training. Check all that apply:

❏ Financial planning

❏ Exposure to sustainable agricultural

❏ Legal issues and regulations

❏ Lowering production costs


practices

❏ Business start up and management

❏ Networking with other farmers

❏ Marketing

❏ Quality of life issues

❏ Profit and loss projections

❏ Land Access options

❏ Access to lending and capital

❏ Production Skills

❏ Enterprise development

Other (please list) __________________________________________________

13. What farming enterprise(s) are you considering? (check all that apply)

❏ Dairy ❏ Beef ❏ Sheep (meat) ❏ Sheep (fiber) ❏ Goats ❏ Hogs ❏ Poultry (eggs) ❏ Poultry (meat) ❏ Vegetables ❏ Flowers

❏ Honey ❏ Medicinal herbs ❏ Mushrooms ❏ Forest products ❏ Agri-tourism ❏ Fruits ❏ Grains ❏ Therapeutic farm ❏ Education ❏ Agritourism

other (please list) _________________________________________________ 14. After completing the Farm Beginnings© program, when do you hope to be farming?

_____ Already farming _____ Within 1 year _____ 2-3 years _____ 4-5 years _____ More than 5 years

15. What do you intend to get out of this training program. In your own words what do you imagine will be different in your life after a year of FB? 16. Please share any questions, concerns or comments you have about the Farm Beginnings® program.


17. Please list one personal and one business reference. (Name, phone, and email only.)

Participant Commitment

Farm Beginnings is an on-going educational program that is designed to assist you in achieving

your farming goals. As with most educational training programs, what you are able to gain from

this program will be directly related to the amount of time and energy that you are willing to put

into your education both in and outside of class.

Requirements for admission include:

● Dedication to a full-time or part-time farming career

● A commitment to participate in a minimum of 12-20 hours of training per month (4

hours midweek, 7 hours Saturdays with travel)

● Willingness to be a learner, to make this investment and commitment, to take the time to

read, think, plan, dream, and integrate. Your engagement is crucial.

● Transportation to attend classes near Asheville and at other nearby farm locations

● 6 months minimum experience doing farm/garden work or physical labor of some kind

OGS Farm Beginnings is committed to assisting all students in achieving the following goals.

Please engage with us to let us know how we can further assist you to accomplish them

Program Goals: Sessions 1-13

Participants will:

1. Develop a support network of peers, experienced farmers, community

resource people and consultants to assist in attaining the needed

knowledge and skills to move closer to their farming goals

2. Create a comprehensive, holistic farm proposal and plan to guide the

development of their farming enterprise (includes: holistic goals, one and

five year plan, resource inventory, enterprise budgets, marketing plan and

assessments)

3. Prioritize the short-term and long-term action steps needed to be taken to

move closer toward long-term farming goal

I understand:

❏ that OGS is not a land based program.

❏ that I will get out of this program what I put into it.

❏ that I am required to complete my tuition payments even if I leave the program.

❏ that a partner who applied with me is allowed to co-attend all trainings, but no

other guest or new partner may attend or replace me at trainings.

________ (initial)

I commit to engage and learn from:

A supportive network of peers, experienced farmers, community resource people and

consultants who can assist in attaining the needed knowledge and skills to move closer to

my farming goals. _______ (initial)

I commit to creating the following:

❏ A holistic farm proposal

❏ A holistic goal

❏ A timeline of one and five year plans

❏ Enterprise budget and personal budget

❏ Marketing plan (optional)

❏ Farm Proposal

❏ Growing Season Learning Plan

______ (initial)

I commit to:

1. A final presentation after I have completed my Growing Season learning plan in

the Fall of 2017. _____ (initial)

2. Attendance at 80% of the Winter Session and CRAFT Farm Tours ____ (initial)

Participant Signature: _____________________________________________

Date:______________

Participant Signature: _____________________________________________

Date:______________

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