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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261001
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CREATED:20260921T201758Z
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UID:10272-1790812800-1790899199@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Robinson Center Field Day
DESCRIPTION:Eastern Kentucky Agriculture Takes Center Stage\nThe University of Kentucky Robinson Center will hold its 2026 Field Day on October 1 at the Robinson Center in Jackson\, Kentucky. The all-day event is part of the center’s broader Mountain Ag Week programming. It allows producers\, families\, youth\, and community members to connect with agricultural research\, Extension education\, and regional resources focused on Eastern Kentucky and the Appalachian region. \nThe Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability is part of the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture\, Food and Environment. Its work centers on agriculture\, forestry\, natural resources\, and community development in Eastern Kentucky.   The center includes research and outreach facilities that allow university specialists and Extension personnel to work directly with producers and communities in the region. \n\nPhoto courtesy of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture\, Food and Environment \nWhat Farmers Can Expect\nThe Robinson Center has not yet posted the detailed 2026 Field Day agenda. Recent Robinson Center Field Days have included farm tours\, interactive demonstrations\, hands-on workshops\, and conversations with University of Kentucky specialists. Recent programs have highlighted field research\, forestry\, wood products\, crop trials\, and other topics tied to the center’s research and Extension work. \nThe annual Field Day has also given producers and community members a chance to see research projects in a working farm setting and ask university staff questions directly. The October 1 event follows other Mountain Ag Week activities at the Robinson Center\, including Youth Science Day and Win With Wood. \nA Regional Resource for Producers\nFarmers and landowners in Eastern Kentucky may find the event especially useful because the Robinson Center’s mission specifically includes the land\, natural resources\, and people of Eastern Kentucky and the Appalachian region. Producers interested in livestock\, crops\, woodland management\, agricultural technology\, or regional research may want to watch for the final 2026 agenda. \nThe University of Kentucky currently lists Robinson Center Field Day as an all-day event on October 1. Additional details\, including the final schedule and any registration instructions\, may be released as the event approaches. Farmers planning to travel should check the official event listing before leaving for Jackson. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/robinson-center-field-day/
LOCATION:Robinson Center\, 130 Robinson Road\, Jackson\, KY\, 41339\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Field Days
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ORGANIZER;CN="University of Kentucky Robinson Center":MAILTO:robinson.center@uky.edu
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261007T000000
DTSTAMP:20260922T222633Z
CREATED:20260913T153930Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260922T222633Z
UID:9678-1790812800-1791331200@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Tennessee TAEP Application Period
DESCRIPTION:Tennessee Farmers Can Apply for TAEP Cost-Share Funding\nThe Tennessee TAEP Application Period runs October 1-7\, giving eligible agricultural producers a limited window to apply for cost-share assistance through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program. \nAdministered by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture\, TAEP helps producers make long-term investments intended to improve farm efficiency\, safety\, profitability\, and competitiveness. The program has operated since 2005 and has invested more than $309 million in nearly 98\,000 producer projects through 2025. \nSubmit applications for the 2026-27 program year online. Paper applications are not available\, and you do not submit the application through the TAEP Account Portal. The live application link will appear on the TAEP website during the October 1-7 application window. \n\n\nCost-Share Programs Cover a Range of Farm Needs\nTAEP offers cost-share opportunities across numerous agricultural sectors. \nPrograms available for 2026-27 include Dairy Solutions\, Farming Solutions\, Genetics\, Hay Storage\, Hay Equipment\, Herd Health\, Livestock Equipment\, Livestock Fencing\, Poultry Grower\, Row Crop Solutions\, Swine Producer\, and Working Structures & Fence-line Systems. Producer Diversification supports projects involving agritourism\, fruits and vegetables\, honey bees\, horticulture\, organics\, and value-added products. \nDepending on the program\, reimbursement maximums generally range from $3\,000 to $12\,000. TAEP typically reimburses 50% of eligible expenses up to the applicable program maximum. Producers must meet both the program’s general eligibility requirements and any requirements specific to the cost-share category they select. \nEligible applicants may apply for both Application A and Application B when they meet the requirements. Application A allows a producer to request one cost-share program\, while Application B covers Producer Diversification opportunities. \nPrepare Before the Application Window Opens\nApplicants must use a working email address exclusively for themselves for TAEP purposes\, internet access\, and an electronic device. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture recommends using a computer rather than a smartphone when possible. \nFarmers should review the requirements for their desired program before the application period begins. Eligibility standards vary by program and may include minimum livestock numbers\, acreage\, or other production requirements. \nFor example\, Farming Solutions requires applicants to meet at least one applicable minimum production threshold\, such as 30 cattle\, 20 equids\, 50 goats or sheep\, 50 acres of hay\, 100 acres of row crops\, or 100 swine. Other TAEP programs have their own requirements. \nApplicants should therefore verify that they qualify for the specific program they select before submitting an application. \nEducation Requirements Apply Before Reimbursement\nApproved applicants may also need an eligible master producer certification or an approved equivalent before receiving reimbursement. \nFor the 2026-27 TAEP year\, applicable master certifications generally must have been issued on or after January 1\, 2023. Producers who are unsure whether their certification remains current should contact their local UT-TSU Extension office. \nThe certification requirement applies at the reimbursement stage\, not at the initial application stage. \nApproval Decisions Come in December\nAfter the October application period closes\, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture plans to mail approval notifications in mid-December. Reimbursement packets are scheduled to follow in January 2027. Individual reimbursement deadlines then vary by approved program. \nApplicants should save the confirmation email they receive after submitting their application. The department says that email serves as proof that the application was successfully received. You cannot make application changes after the October 7 application period closes. \nFor Tennessee farmers considering equipment\, infrastructure\, livestock\, production\, or diversification investments\, the October 1-7 application period provides the annual opportunity to seek TAEP cost-share assistance. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/tennessee-taep-application-period/
CATEGORIES:Education,Grants & Deadlines
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T153000
DTSTAMP:20260921T182212Z
CREATED:20260921T175148Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T182212Z
UID:10217-1790848800-1790868600@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Ag Safety Day: A Day Focused on Safer Agricultural Work
DESCRIPTION:N.C. Cooperative Extension will hold Ag Safety Day on October 1 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Wolf Creek Tree Farm in Cullowhee\, offering farmers\, ranchers\, and rural residents education and resources to make agricultural work safer. \nThe Jackson County event puts the training directly in Western North Carolina\, making it particularly relevant to farmers and rural landowners in the Appalachian Highlands. N.C. Cooperative Extension describes the event’s goal as providing education\, training\, and resources to make farm\, ranch\, and rural life safer. \nAgriculture presents a wide range of workplace hazards because farmers routinely work around machinery\, livestock\, vehicles\, chemicals\, uneven ground\, and changing weather conditions. Safety education can help farm operators identify risks before an injury or emergency occurs. \n\n\nPesticide Credits Available\nThe day also includes a related Ag Safety Day Field Day Training session from 1 to 3 p.m. at the same location. \nN.C. Cooperative Extension lists two pesticide recertification credits in numerous categories for that portion of the program\, including A\, B\, G\, H\, I\, K\, L\, M\, N\, O\, T\, D\, and X\, as well as specialized K categories. \nThat makes the program potentially useful not only as general farm-safety education but also for licensed pesticide applicators who need continuing education credits. \nExtension lists “What to Expect from an Investigation” as a topic associated with the pesticide-credit training. Farmers who rely on pesticide applicator credits should verify that the listed categories apply to their individual license and recertification requirements. \nRegional Ag Safety Day Training in Jackson County\nAg Safety Day will be held at Wolf Creek Tree Farm\, 8833 N.C. 107 in Cullowhee. The event is scheduled for five and a half hours\, from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. \nN.C. Cooperative Extension’s Jackson County Center is organizing the program\, and online registration is available. Farmers seeking additional information can contact the Jackson County Extension office. \nFor producers across Western North Carolina\, the program offers an opportunity to make farm safety part of routine business planning rather than waiting until an accident or emergency exposes a problem. \n  \nRead full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/ag-safety-day/
LOCATION:Wolf Creek Tree Farm\, 8833 North Carolina 107\, Cullowhee\, NC\, 28723\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T133000
DTSTAMP:20260914T224500Z
CREATED:20260914T171549Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260914T224500Z
UID:9888-1790857800-1790861400@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Farming Where You Live Webinar Series
DESCRIPTION:The Farming Where You Live Webinar Series continues October 1 with the third of four free online sessions for landowners and beginning farmers looking to generate income from farm or forest land. \nThe Farming Where You Live Webinar Series is a free online program from the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture for landowners and beginning farmers who want to use farm or forest land productively. Sessions are scheduled for September 17\, September 24\, October 1\, and October 7\, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Attendees must preregister. \nThis series targets people who may own acreage and are deciding which agricultural or forestry enterprise makes sense for their property. It can also help beginning farmers evaluate land\, identify realistic income opportunities\, and better understand available resources. \n\n\nThis Webinar Series Focuses on Practical Land Use\nThis Webinar Series focuses on practical ways to assess existing land and consider how it might generate income. That may include agricultural enterprises\, forest-based opportunities\, or other uses that fit the landowner’s goals and available resources. \nFor many landowners\, the challenge is not simply deciding what they could do with a property. The harder question is whether an idea fits the land\, available labor\, the market\, and the time and money they are willing to invest. \nA program like this can help participants move from a general idea toward a more realistic plan. \nFarming Where You Live Webinar Series Can Help Beginning Farmers\nBeginning farmers often have to make several decisions at once\, including what to produce\, how much land they need\, and whether a proposed enterprise can support itself financially. \nThe series gives participants a chance to hear from agricultural professionals while thinking through those decisions before making larger investments. \nBecause the sessions are online\, farmers and landowners can participate from anywhere in the region without traveling. Participants may get more from the program by bringing questions about their own property and keeping notes on programs\, contacts\, or resources they want to investigate later. \nFarming Where You Live Webinar Series Runs Through October 7\nThe organizers schedule the final live session for October 7. Landowners and beginning farmers interested in the Farming Where You Live Webinar Series should register in advance and confirm the schedule and connection information before each session. The program may be especially useful for people with land available who are still figuring out what kind of farm or forest enterprise best fits their property\, resources\, and long-term goals. \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/farming-where-you-live-webinar-series-3/
LOCATION:Online/Virtual
CATEGORIES:Education,Webinars
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ORGANIZER;CN="UT Center for Profitable Agriculture":MAILTO:acboyd@utk.edu
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T170000
DTSTAMP:20260927T213616Z
CREATED:20260926T192456Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T213616Z
UID:10553-1790874000-1790874000@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Grow Appalachia Garden Grants Final Deadline
DESCRIPTION:Final Proposals for Grow Appalachia Garden Grants Due October 1\nGrow Appalachia will accept final proposals for its Garden Grants program through 5 p.m. Eastern on October 1. The Berea College initiative supports community-based organizations working to improve food security and expand gardening education across central Appalachia. \nEligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or operate with a fiscal sponsor. Grow Appalachia says it looks for organizations rooted in their communities\, experienced in food-security work\, and able to manage grant funds responsibly. \n\n\nEducation Is Central to the Program\nFunded partner sites recruit and support gardeners while providing required educational programming. Core classes cover garden planning\, planting\, maintenance\, food preservation\, healthy cooking\, and season extension. Programs must also commit to organic growing practices and regular reporting. \nApplicants must submit an online proposal along with a program budget and the organization’s overall budget. Organizations that submitted drafts by the September review deadline could receive staff feedback before filing the final version. \nA Regional Opportunity\nGrow Appalachia works across the central Appalachian region\, making the deadline relevant to nonprofit organizations and community food programs in Kentucky\, Tennessee\, Virginia\, West Virginia\, and North Carolina. New sites interested in the program can contact Grow Appalachia for guidance on the application process. \nFinal proposals are due by 5 p.m. October 1. Applicants should review the current proposal guidelines and submission requirements before filing. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about Educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/grow-appalachia-garden-grants-final-deadline/
CATEGORIES:Education,Grants & Deadlines
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ORGANIZER;CN="Grow Appalachia":MAILTO:growapp@berea.edu
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T190000
DTSTAMP:20260921T213014Z
CREATED:20260921T201758Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T213014Z
UID:10273-1790877600-1790881200@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Asian Longhorned Tick Webinar for Kentucky Livestock Producers
DESCRIPTION:Learn to Recognize an Emerging Livestock Threat\nUniversity of Kentucky Extension specialists will host an online webinar for livestock producers on October 1\, focused on Asian longhorned ticks and the risks they can pose to cattle herds. The program will run from 6 to 7 p.m. Eastern and will help farmers recognize the invasive tick\, understand the diseases it can transmit\, and take practical steps to reduce risk on their farms. \nAsian longhorned ticks are a growing concern for livestock producers in Kentucky and across the region. Heavy infestations can stress cattle and contribute to blood loss\, poor performance\, and anemia. The ticks can also transmit bovine theileriosis\, a disease that damages red blood cells and may lead to weakness\, abortions\, reduced productivity\, and\, in severe cases\, death. \n\nPhoto courtesy of Cassandra Olds\, Kansas State University \nIdentification\, Monitoring and Prevention\nThe webinar will cover how to identify Asian longhorned ticks\, how producers can submit tick samples for identification\, what farmers need to know about theileriosis\, how to monitor a herd for possible problems\, and what management practices may help reduce exposure. Presenters include University of Kentucky Extension veterinary specialists and other animal-health and entomology experts. \nThis program aims to give cattle owners practical information they can use before an infestation or disease problem becomes severe. Producers who notice cattle that appear weak\, lethargic\, or unthrifty should examine animals closely for ticks. If you suspect disease\, consult a veterinarian. \nPrevention Takes on Greater Importance\nThe University of Kentucky Extension notes that no vaccine exists for bovine theileriosis and no reliable treatment is available for infected cattle. That makes prevention\, early awareness\, and routine herd observation particularly important. Management may include regular cattle checks. Inspecting and treating new animals before joining a herd helps prevent introduction. It also covers overgrown pastures\, wooded edges\, and tick-control products used as directed on the label. \nThe webinar is online. The University of Kentucky Extension urges producers to check with their county Extension office. They should confirm whether a local watch party is offered. You can register through the official University of Kentucky event page. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/asian-longhorned-tick-webinar-for-kentucky-livestock-producers/
LOCATION:Online / Virtual\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Webinars
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T200000
DTSTAMP:20260921T171637Z
CREATED:20260913T153925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260921T171637Z
UID:9676-1790881200-1790884800@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Journeyperson Farming Training Information Session
DESCRIPTION:Organic Growers School is accepting applications through October 5 for its 2026-27 Journeyperson Farming Training program\, a yearlong program designed for farmers who have already operated independently for at least three years and are committed to farming in the Southern Appalachian region. \nUnlike introductory farmer-training programs\, Journeyperson focuses on producers with practical experience who want help strengthening their farm businesses\, evaluating their enterprises\, and planning for future growth. \nOrganic Growers School says eligible applicants must have at least three years of independent farming experience\, a demonstrated commitment to Southern Appalachian agriculture and sustainable farming practices\, and production goals that benefit their communities and region. \n\n\nWorkshops\, Mentorship and Farmer Connections\nThis Journeyperson Farm Training 12-month program combines workshops\, one-on-one mentorship\, and peer learning. Workshop topics include holistic financial planning\, farm communications\, and advanced enterprise development. \nParticipants also work with experienced farmer mentors and attend monthly cohort meetings. The program connects farmers with lenders\, land-access organizations\, small-business centers\, and other regional resources. Participants receive access to Organic Growers School’s CRAFT farmer network and annual Spring Conference. \nProfessional development support can help participants attend selected outside workshops or training programs. \nJourneyperson is designed to address questions established farmers often encounter as their businesses develop\, including farm scale\, marketing channels\, employees and labor\, cash flow\, financial planning\, climate resilience\, and enterprise development. \nMatched Savings for Farm Investment\nOne distinctive part of Journeyperson is its Savings Incentive Program. Farmers may qualify for matching funds to purchase a farm asset or complete a farm project. Organic Growers School gives the example of a participant saving $1\,000 and receiving another $1\,000 in matching funds\, creating $2\,000 toward an eligible farm asset. \nTuition is offered on a sliding scale of $500 to $1\,200 per farm unit. Scholarships and payment plans are available. Space is limited to 10 farms. \nFarmers who want to learn more before applying can attend a free online information session on October 1 from 7 to 8 p.m. The program begins in November and continues for one year. \nApplication deadline: October 5\, 2026\nInformation session: October 1\, 7 p.m.\, online\nProgram begins: November 2026 \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/journeyperson-farming-training/
LOCATION:Online / Virtual\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education
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