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X-WR-CALNAME:Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261103T180000
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DTSTAMP:20260923T220501Z
CREATED:20260913T154134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T220501Z
UID:9702-1793728800-1793739600@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Winter Business Intensive: Infrastructure and Natural Resources
DESCRIPTION:Plan the Physical Farm Around the Business\nWinter Business Intensive: Infrastructure and Natural Resources is the third session in Appalachian RC&D’s 2026-27 Winter Business Intensive Field School. The November 3 class runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Langston Centre in Johnson City\, Tennessee. \nThe session focuses on the physical systems that make a farm work and the natural resources that support production. Buildings\, fencing\, water\, roads\, equipment\, soils\, pasture\, and other resources can determine what an operation can realistically produce and how efficiently it can grow. \n\n\nMatch Investments to Real Farm Needs\nParticipants can consider buildings\, fencing\, water systems\, equipment\, roads\, utilities\, and other infrastructure while also examining soil\, water\, forests\, pasture\, and related natural resources. \nThe goal is not simply to list improvements. Farmers can use the planning process to ask whether a proposed investment actually supports their production system\, markets\, and long-term business goals. A costly building or piece of equipment can become a burden if it does not solve a real production or labor problem. \nPlanning infrastructure before purchasing can help producers prioritize investments and understand how individual improvements fit into the larger farm system. \nPut Conservation Into the Business Plan\nNatural-resource decisions also have business consequences. Soil condition\, water availability\, erosion\, pasture quality\, and woodland management can influence productivity\, costs\, and resilience. \nFarmers can use the session to think about conservation and resource stewardship as part of business planning\, not as a separate activity. In some cases\, conservation practices can also connect producers with technical assistance or cost-share programs that make improvements more affordable. \nPrepare for Later Financial Decisions\nThis session builds on the earlier work of defining farm goals and assessing available resources. It also prepares participants for later discussions about markets\, financial management\, and production planning because infrastructure needs often shape both costs and capacity. \nAppalachian RC&D’s Winter Business Intensive is an eight-session series for beginning and experienced farmers. Completion can also qualify participants for Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program education credit toward eligible Producer Diversification requirements. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/winter-business-intensive-infrastructure-and-natural-resources/
LOCATION:Langston Centre\, 315 Elm St\, Johnson City\, TN\, 37601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Courses & Training,Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Infrustructure-Natural-Resources1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261117T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261117T210000
DTSTAMP:20260923T222138Z
CREATED:20260913T154140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260923T222138Z
UID:9707-1794938400-1794949200@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Winter Business Intensive: Markets and Marketing
DESCRIPTION:Find the Market That Fits the Farm\nWinter Business Intensive: Markets and Marketing will help farmers look beyond what they can produce and focus on who will buy it. The fourth session in Appalachian RC&D’s 2026-27 Winter Business Intensive is scheduled for November 17 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Langston Centre in Johnson City\, Tennessee. \nThe session gives participants an opportunity to examine customers\, sales channels\, pricing\, promotion\, and the practical demands that different markets place on a farm business. \n\n\nCompare Sales Channels Before Committing\nMarkets and Marketing participants can examine options such as farmers markets\, farm stands\, community-supported agriculture programs\, restaurants\, wholesale buyers\, and other outlets. Each channel comes with different expectations for pricing\, volume\, packaging\, delivery\, and customer communication. \nA market with strong sales potential may also require more transportation\, packaging\, labor\, or production consistency. Farmers can compare those demands with their operations’ actual capacity before deciding where to invest time and money. \nThe session also encourages producers to consider whether a market aligns with the farm’s scale and long-term goals rather than chasing every possible sales opportunity. \nBuild a Clear Message for Customers\nMarketing is not only about choosing where to sell. Farmers also need to communicate what they offer\, why it matters\, and how customers can buy it. \nParticipants can think of branding\, promotion\, and customer communication as tools that support the business\, not separate tasks. A clear message can help a farm explain its products\, production practices\, availability\, and value without relying on vague claims or constant discounting. \nUse Marketing Information in the Business Plan\nMarket decisions affect production planning\, infrastructure\, and finances. A farmer who knows which customers matter most can make better decisions about crop mix\, livestock numbers\, harvest timing\, packaging\, and delivery. \nThis November 17 session is part of an eight-session series that guides participants toward a stronger farm business plan. Appalachian RC&D says qualifying graduates can also earn Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program education credit toward eligible Producer Diversification requirements. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/winter-business-intensive-markets-and-marketing/
LOCATION:Langston Centre\, 315 Elm St\, Johnson City\, TN\, 37601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Courses & Training,Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Markets1-scaled.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261201T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261201T210000
DTSTAMP:20260924T152850Z
CREATED:20260913T154140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T152850Z
UID:9708-1796148000-1796158800@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Winter Business Intensive: Business and Financial Management
DESCRIPTION:Understand What the Numbers Say About the Farm\nWinter Business Intensive: Business and Financial Management focuses on the records and financial information farmers need to understand how their operations are performing. The December 1 session runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Langston Centre in Johnson City\, Tennessee. \nThe class is the fifth session in Appalachian RC&D’s 2026-27 Winter Business Intensive Field School and builds on earlier work involving farm goals\, resources\, infrastructure\, and markets. \n\n\nMake Records Useful for Decisions\nBusiness and Financial Management participants can explore budgeting\, cash flow\, recordkeeping\, expenses\, and other financial-management tools that help turn farm activity into useful business information. \nGood records can show whether an enterprise is profitable\, where costs are increasing\, and whether the farm has enough cash to meet obligations throughout the year. They can also make tax preparation\, loan applications\, and grant or cost-share reporting easier because key information has already been organized. \nThe point is not recordkeeping for its own sake. The value comes from using those records to make better choices. \nSeparate Production Success From Financial Success\nA crop can produce excellent yields and still fail to make money. A livestock enterprise can generate strong sales while consuming more labor\, feed\, or overhead than the income justifies. \nThe session encourages producers to look at the financial performance behind production results. That can include comparing enterprises\, evaluating prices\, identifying major cost drivers\, and understanding how cash moves through the business during the year. \nFarmers can use those insights to decide which enterprises deserve more investment and which may need to change. \nBuild Financial Information Into the Farm Plan\nFinancial management becomes especially important when a producer is considering expansion\, new equipment\, borrowing\, or outside funding. A farmer who understands costs\, cash flow\, and profitability is better positioned to evaluate whether a proposed investment can realistically support itself. \nThe December 1 class is part of Appalachian RC&D’s eight-session Winter Business Intensive. Qualifying graduates can also earn Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program education credit toward eligible Producer Diversification requirements. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/winter-business-intensive-business-and-financial-management/
LOCATION:Langston Centre\, 315 Elm St\, Johnson City\, TN\, 37601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Courses & Training,Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Management-and-Finance1.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261215T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261215T210000
DTSTAMP:20260924T154515Z
CREATED:20260913T154140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T154515Z
UID:9709-1797357600-1797368400@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Winter Business Intensive: Sustainable Production Planning
DESCRIPTION:Connect Production Decisions With the Whole Farm\nWinter Business Intensive: Sustainable Production Planning helps farmers connect what they produce with the land\, labor\, infrastructure\, markets\, and management capacity available on the farm. The December 15 session runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Langston Centre in Johnson City\, Tennessee. \nThe class is the sixth session in Appalachian RC&D’s 2026-27 Winter Business Intensive and follows earlier sessions on farm goals\, resources\, infrastructure\, markets\, and financial management. \n\n\nPlan Production Around Real Capacity\nParticipants can consider production schedules\, labor needs\, land capability\, infrastructure\, input costs\, and market demand when deciding how much to grow or raise. \nExpanding an enterprise may sound attractive\, but additional production can create new demands for labor\, storage\, equipment\, transportation\, or customers. A plan that looks profitable on paper can become difficult to manage if those supporting resources are not available at the right time. \nSustainable planning therefore involves matching production goals to what the farm can realistically support. \nThink Beyond a Single Season\nLong-term\, sustainable production planning also involves soil\, water\, forage\, pest pressure\, animal health\, and other factors that influence whether the farm can maintain productivity over time. \nFarmers can use the season to consider how production practices affect resilience and short-term output. Choices such as crop rotation\, season extension\, grazing management\, cover crops\, or other conservation practices may influence both environmental conditions and business performance. \nBring Production Into the Business Plan\nBy this point in the Winter Business Intensive\, participants have examined many of the elements that shape a farm business. Sustainable production planning ties those pieces together by translating goals\, market demand\, and financial expectations into a workable operating plan. \nThe December 15 class is part of Appalachian RC&D’s eight-session Winter Business Intensive Field School. Qualifying graduates can also earn Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program education credit toward eligible Producer Diversification requirements. The planning process can also help farmers identify where they may need additional technical assistance\, infrastructure\, or recordkeeping before the next production season begins. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/winter-business-intensive-sustainable-production-planning/
LOCATION:Langston Centre\, 315 Elm St\, Johnson City\, TN\, 37601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Courses & Training,Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/zoe-richardson-production-planning-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270105T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270105T210000
DTSTAMP:20260924T163243Z
CREATED:20260913T154240Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T163243Z
UID:9719-1799172000-1799182800@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Winter Business Intensive: Entrepreneurship and Risk Management
DESCRIPTION:Evaluate Opportunity Without Ignoring Risk\nWinter Business Intensive: Entrepreneurship and Risk Management examines the opportunities and uncertainties of operating an agricultural business. The January 5 session runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Langston Centre in Johnson City\, Tennessee. \nThe class is the seventh session in Appalachian RC&D’s 2026-27 Winter Business Intensive and gives farmers a framework for thinking about growth\, new enterprises\, and the risks that accompany business decisions. \n\n\nLook at the Risks Behind a New Idea\nFarmers regularly consider new products\, markets\, equipment\, land\, and other investments. Each opportunity can create potential income\, but it can also introduce financial\, production\, or market risk. \nParticipants can learn to evaluate opportunities more systematically by considering potential returns\, costs\, and possible problems before committing significant resources. That process can help separate a promising business opportunity from an idea that may expose the farm to more risk than it can comfortably absorb. \nPrepare for Problems Before They Arrive\nRisk management does not eliminate uncertainty. Weather\, crop or livestock losses\, price changes\, labor shortages\, accidents\, and unexpected expenses can still affect an operation. \nThe goal is to identify where the farm is vulnerable and consider ways to reduce the consequences. Depending on the situation\, that may involve insurance\, diversification\, emergency planning\, better records\, contracts\, business structures\, or simply maintaining enough financial flexibility to absorb a setback. \nUse Risk Management to Strengthen the Business Plan\nA business plan becomes more realistic when it addresses what could go wrong\, not just what could go right. Farmers can use the January 5 session to test assumptions and determine whether their plans include enough margin for uncertainty. \nAppalachian RC&D’s Winter Business Intensive is designed for beginning and experienced farmers. Qualifying graduates can also earn Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program education credit toward eligible Producer Diversification requirements. The session also gives participants a chance to compare risk-management ideas with the realities of their own farms before finalizing the business plans developed through the series. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/winter-business-intensive-entrepreneurship-and-risk-management/
LOCATION:Langston Centre\, 315 Elm St\, Johnson City\, TN\, 37601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Courses & Training,Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Farm-Entrepreneurship-and-Risk-Management.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270119T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270119T210000
DTSTAMP:20260927T215326Z
CREATED:20260913T154241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T215326Z
UID:9721-1800381600-1800392400@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Winter Business Intensive: Loans\, Grants and Support Programs
DESCRIPTION:Find Funding That Fits the Farm Plan\nWinter Business Intensive: Loans\, Grants and Support Programs closes the eight-session instructional portion of Appalachian RC&D’s 2026-27 Winter Business Intensive Field School. The January 19 session runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Langston Centre in Johnson City\, Tennessee. \nThe class focuses on financial and technical resources that may help farmers strengthen\, expand\, or improve their operations. \n\n\nUnderstand the Difference Between Funding Tools\nParticipants can learn about agricultural loans\, grants\, cost-share programs\, and other forms of assistance offered through government agencies\, nonprofit organizations\, and agricultural support programs. \nDifferent funding sources serve different purposes. A grant may support a narrowly defined project\, while a cost-share program may reimburse part of an eligible investment after you meet specific requirements. A loan may be the better tool for an investment expected to produce enough income to repay the debt. \nUnderstanding these differences can help farmers avoid chasing programs that don’t match their needs. \nPrepare Before Applying\nFunding programs often require more than a good idea.  Farmers may need business plans\, financial records\, budgets\, farm numbers\, production histories\, estimates\, or clear explanations of how a proposed investment will improve the operation. \nThe Winter Business Intensive gives participants an advantage because earlier sessions have already addressed many of those building blocks. By January\, farmers should have spent time on their goals\, resources\, infrastructure\, markets\, finances\, production\, and risk management. \nThose pieces can strengthen an application and help the farmer decide whether outside funding is appropriate. \nConnect With Agricultural Support Networks\nThe session also helps farmers identify organizations that provide technical assistance in addition to money.  Extension\, USDA agencies\, conservation programs\, lenders\, and nonprofit agricultural organizations can often help producers interpret requirements\, develop plans\, or identify programs that fit a specific project. \nThe January 19 class completes the eight-session instructional series.   Appalachian RC&D says qualifying graduates can earn Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program education credit toward eligible Producer Diversification requirements\, and the broader Field School process is designed to leave participants with a stronger business plan and a clearer understanding of available support. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/winter-business-intensive-loans-grants-and-support-programs/
LOCATION:Langston Centre\, 315 Elm St\, Johnson City\, TN\, 37601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Courses & Training,Education,Grants & Deadlines,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/loans-1-scaled.jpg
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