NOFA-NH
Beginner Farmer Workshop. Thursday August 18, 2011. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tracies Community Farm, Fitzwilliam NH
This workshop for Beginner Farmers in New Hampshire will combine a hands-on tour of a successful farm, with a presentation of important knowledge and skills, and an opportunity to provide input into the programming of workshops for the NOFA-NH Winter conference in March 2012.
There are a limited number of spaces available for this workshop. Please register soon if you are interested. Spaces will be allocated to the first 18 applicants.
Cost $75
Farmers and apprentices with fewer than 10 years of experience can benefit from a USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant that will cover 100% of the workshop cost. See application below.
Workshop Outline
10:00 am to 12:00. Tour of Tracies Community Farm. Questions and answers.
12:00 to 1:00 pm. Lunch with the work crew
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Important knowledge and skills for beginner farmers
- Business planning for profitability
- Goal setting
- Access to Financial Resources
- Soil analysis and building
- Current updates on pest and disease control
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. What do Beginner Farmers in New Hampshire need? A discussion of workshop topics, networking opportunities and planning for future support.
Presenters:
Leon-C. Malan. Chair of the Environmental Studies Department, Colby-Sawyer College.
He holds a Baccalaureate degree in Business Administration, an MBA , a Doctorate in Strategic Management and a Doctorate in Environmental Studies. He teaches courses in strategic management, sustainability, climate change and environmental studies. His research includes topics in organizational effectiveness, leadership and global conservation policy. Prior to a career in teaching, we working in industry and consulted senior executives on strategic planning and implementation. He is the Chair of the NOFA-NH Education Committee.
Amy Ouellette. UNH Cooperative Extension. Extension Educator, Agricultural Resources, Merrimack County.
Amy holds a Masters degree in Plant Biology from the University of New Hampshire. Before coming to work for UNH Cooperative Extension, Amy worked at two garden centers, on a farm crew, and between 1994 and 2000, worked at the Woodman Horticultural Research Farm as a research technician and later as a graduate student. Among others, her areas of expertise include insect and plant disease identification and options for control, plant or weed identification, pasture and hay crop management, greenhouse technology, and season extension technologies (hoop houses, plastic mulch, row covers, etc.).
Tracie Smith. Tracie started farming at the age of 19. Tracie's Community Farm began in the summer of 1999 selling at Farmers Markets on a small scale, while Tracie Smith was studying Environmental Horticulture at UNH. Upon graduation in 2001, she began a small CSA, which has grown over the years to over 300 members. She purchased her own farmland in Fitzwilliam in 2008, moving the farm from Sullivan over the winter of 2007-2008. The farm now sells spring, summer and fall shares. It also sells transplants and other local goods at their onsite farm stand and supplies wholesale and restaurants with produce in abundance. In addition to Tracie, the farm has 5 full time seasonal employees. The farm continues to strive to extend the season, to keep members fed with local food and keep the farm crew working for as long of a period as possible to keep them coming back.
Seth Wilner. UNH Cooperative Extension. Extension Educator, Agricultural Resources, and County Office Co-Administrator, Sullivan County.
Prior to taking the Sullivan County position, Seth worked as an Extension Educator with the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension System. His responsibilities were focused around water quality, soil fertility, nutrient management, environmental stewardship, land use planning and community development issues. Seth holds a Baccalaureate degree in Natural Resources Management from the University of Connecticut and a Masters degree in Soil Science from the University of Wisconsin. His wide range of experience includes assisting village farmer in Senegal as a Peace Corps volunteer, to developing a computer model to help potato farmers manage their nitrogen inputs, to teaching the Master Gardener Program, helping to establish a local Farmers' Market, and developing a number of educational materials pertaining to shoreland restoration, nutrient management and soil fertility. He worked with communities, businesses and non-profit organizations on strategic planning and implementation.
Registration Form
NOFA-NH
Beginner Farmer Workshop. Thursday August 18, 2011. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tracies Community Farm, Fitzwilliam NH
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Name: . |
Farm: ..
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e-mail: _______________________________ |
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Phone:________________________________ |
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Cell: __________________________________ |
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Do you want to apply for the USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program grant?
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Yes
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No |
If yes, please include a short letter detailing your farm experience and why attending this NOFA event will benefit you.
Submit your application to: (preferably by e-mail)
Dr. Leon-C. Malan
Environmental Studies Department
Colby-Sawyer College
541 Main Street
New London
NH 03221
e-mail: [email protected] Phone (603) 526-3632.
This project is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, USDA, Grant # 2010-49400-21847.