Virginia Small Farm Orientation Helps New Farmers Get Started

Virginia Small Farm Orientation will be offered online on September 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. through the Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach Program. The two-hour program is designed for farmers who have been operating a farm for five years or less and want a clearer understanding of the resources available to help them move forward.

Participants receive a Small Farm Orientation manual and guidance to help them build a productive, profitable farm operation. For someone in the first few years of farming, that kind of overview can be especially useful. New farmers often have to make decisions about production, land, finances, and marketing at the same time while also learning where to turn when questions arise.

Virginia Small Farm Orientation Looks Beyond Production

Starting a farm involves much more than deciding what to grow or raise. Beginning farmers also need to consider record keeping, business planning, land access, markets, and programs available through Extension and other agricultural organizations.

The Virginia Small Farm Orientation gives participants a place to begin sorting through those issues. Rather than focusing narrowly on one crop or livestock enterprise, the session can help farmers identify resources and determine which areas of their operation may need additional attention.

That can also make future Extension programs more useful. A farmer who understands gaps in a business or production plan can make better choices about what training, technical assistance, or professional advice to pursue next.

Virginia Small Farm Orientation Is Offered Online

Because the program is virtual, farmers can participate without traveling to a classroom or Extension office. That makes the session accessible to producers across Virginia, including those in the Appalachian Highlands.

Participants may want to come prepared with questions about their own farms. Keeping notes on useful contacts, programs, and follow-up resources can also help turn the orientation into a practical starting point for future planning.

Virginia Small Farm Orientation Serves Early-Stage Farmers

The program is intended for farmers with zero to five years of experience operating a farm. That includes people who are just beginning as well as producers who have been farming for several years but are still developing their businesses.

Farmers interested in the Virginia Small Farm Orientation should review the Virginia State University Small Farm Outreach Program’s event information before September 15 and confirm registration requirements, connection instructions, and any schedule updates.

Read our articles about educational opportunities here!