BURLINGTON, Vt. — If you have ever thought about agriculture for a living, University of Vermont (UVM) Extension’s Growing Places course can help you learn the nuts and bolts for a successful start-up.
This online course is designed to help aspiring farmers better understand what it takes to start and operate an agricultural enterprise from setting goals to developing a viable marketing plan. Sessions will be offered this fall (Oct. 26-Nov. 30) and winter (Jan. 11-Feb. 7).
The early registration fee is $100, if received by Oct. 11 for the fall course, or Dec. 22 for the winter session. After those dates, the fee increases to $150. Financial assistance is available for qualified applicants.
To register for either session, go to http://go.uvm.edu/growingplaces. To request a disability-related accommodation, please contact UVM Student Accessibility Services at access@uvm.edu or call (802) 656-7753.
Participants will learn about goal-setting, decision-making, resource evaluation, financial planning and the basics of marketing agricultural products with an end goal of outlining the next steps to advance their planning for their farm business. Throughout the course, information will be provided on additional resources including state and federal agricultural programs and organizations that assist and support farmers.
The instructor-led course is self-paced with weekly assignments that combine presentations, readings and exercises. Live weekly webinars via Zoom will provide opportunities for interaction with the instructor and other participants. Sessions will be recorded to enable individuals unable to attend the live sessions to view at their convenience.
Growing Places is co-sponsored by the UVM Extension New Farmer Project and the Women’s Agricultural Network. If questions, please email the New Farmer Project at newfarmer@uvm.edu.
–UVM Extension
For more articles out of New England, click here.