MIDDLESEX COUNTY, N.J. — Registration is now open for the second annual online course of RU Ready to Farm, the beginner farmer training program from the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension. This online course is the first step for new and beginner farmers who are want to learn what it takes to succeed in New Jersey agriculture. The program is led by Middlesex County Agricultural Agent Bill Hlubik and the RU Ready to Farm team and will provide students with a wealth of information on how to become a part the next generation of New Jersey farmers. This course features speakers from Rutgers NJAES, agricultural support agencies, and the farm community and will provide insight and guidance to new and beginner farmers from around the state. This program:
- Helps to prepare new and beginner farmers to succeed in New Jersey agricultural.
- Examines issues that many new farmers face, such as finding land, obtaining financing, and deciding what to produce.
- Provides information on upcoming beginner farmer grant and funding opportunities from the USDA and other farm support agencies.
- Explores how to develop a farm business plan, and what new farmers should include in one.
- Features successful farmers discussing what has worked for them.
- Includes tours of active farms throughout the Summer and Fall.
The price for this course is $400. Register now at: https://go.rutgers.edu/4biehbmc
Now is an exciting time for beginner farmers in New Jersey, innovative new technologies and products have created new opportunities and markets for those that are just getting started. RU Ready to Farm connects beginners with a network of successful farmers and agricultural support professionals from around the State and region. “What makes our program unique is the breadth of information that our team provides to program participants. Combining online instruction with guided farm tours allows students to learn about the industry while gaining first-hand insight into how farmers operate,” says Program Director Bill Hlubik. RU Ready to Farm will help you develop your ideas into an actionable plan, whether you dream of farming 20 acres or 2.
The RU Ready to Farm beginner farmer training program is supported by Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant no. 2020-70017-32784 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
For more information about RU Ready to Farm, visit rubeginnerfarmer.rutgers.edu, or email beginnerfarmer@njaes.rutgers.edu. Follow on Facebook and Instagram @RUReadytoFarm.
Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension helps the diverse population of New Jersey adapt to a rapidly changing society and improve their lives and communities through an educational process that uses science-based knowledge. Through science-based educational programs, Rutgers Cooperative Extension truly enhances the quality of life for residents of New Jersey and brings the wealth of knowledge of the state university to local communities.
–Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Middlesex County