Exploring your small farm dream
Three-part program lets you pursue your agrarian aspirations BLOOMING GROVE Whether your vision includes making goat cheese, selling cut flowers, or growing rare tomato varieties, this course will give you the tools to start making that dream come true. Participants will discuss current opportunities in small-scale agriculture, explore objectives, assess personal and financial resources, conduct preliminary market research, and develop an action plan for pursuing their interests in food and farming. All levels of experience are welcome. If you are thinking about starting a farm, this course is designed for you. This includes people thinking about full-time farming, farming part-time while continuing other employment, changing careers to start a farm, and/or developing an existing but informal farming pastime into a more serious business activity. The Exploring the Small Farm Dream Course consists of three sessions, three hours each. Topics covered in the sessions include: Expressing farm dreams and evaluating goals Researching the landscape and assessing resources and risk Understanding the marketplace Decision making and identification of next step Creative exercise, research and class discussions will help you assess your skills and resources. Interviews with local farm business owners will assist you in deciding how to carry your dream forward. You will also have the opportunity to connect with others interested in new farm enterprises. The $90 tuition includes a copy of the “Exploring the Small Farm Dream” workbook. A short application form briefly describing your experience and goals must be filled out before registering. This offering of Exploring the Small Farm Dream will be held at the Pike County Conservation District office, 556 Route 402, in Blooming Grove (exit 30 off I-84) on Sept. 28, Oct. 5 and Oct. 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. To ensure quality, in depth discussions and meaningful interactions among participants, the Explorer class will be limited in size, so be sure to reserve your spot today. Participants must be able to attend all sessions and conduct five hours of home study each week. Developed in cooperation with the New England Small Farm Institute. Pre-registration and payment is due by Sept. 21. Visit www.pasmallfarmdream.info for additional information and an application form.