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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine
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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
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270108T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270108T000000
DTSTAMP:20260927T215105Z
CREATED:20260913T154240Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T215105Z
UID:9720-1799366400-1799366400@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Tennessee PLAN Application Deadline
DESCRIPTION:Deadline for the first Preserving Land for Agriculture Now application period. Applications close Jan. 8 at 11:59 p.m. Central. The program supports permanent conservation easements on qualifying agricultural and forest land.
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/tennessee-plan-application-deadline/
LOCATION:NC
CATEGORIES:Education,Grants & Deadlines
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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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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270202T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270202T193000
DTSTAMP:20260913T154246Z
CREATED:20260913T154246Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260913T154246Z
UID:9723-1801591200-1801596600@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:2027 Northeast Tennessee Master Gardener Training Begins
DESCRIPTION:First evening of the 2027 Tennessee Extension Master Gardener training. Classes continue Tuesday evenings through April 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and include online lectures plus required in-person sessions.
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/2027-northeast-tennessee-master-gardener-training-begins/
LOCATION:Sullivan County Extension Office\, 140 Spurgeon Lane\, Blountville\, TN\, 37617-4510\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education
ORGANIZER;CN="UT-TSU Extension Sullivan County":MAILTO:mtrose@utk.edu
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270202T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270202T210000
DTSTAMP:20260924T195228Z
CREATED:20260913T154241Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260924T195228Z
UID:9722-1801591200-1801602000@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Winter Business Intensive Graduation and Potluck
DESCRIPTION:Field School Graduation Marks the End of the Series\nThe Field School Graduation and Potluck on February 2 will bring participants in Appalachian RC&D’s 2026-27 Winter Business Intensive together for the season’s final gathering. \nThe event follows eight classroom sessions held from October through January covering the major business decisions farmers face as they start\, strengthen or expand an agricultural operation. Appalachian RC&D describes the Winter Field School as a farm-business training program that brings together agricultural professionals and experienced farmers to provide practical tools participants can apply to their own operations. \nThe graduation and potluck give participants a chance to close out the learning process\, reconnect with other group members\, and recognize the work completed throughout the series. \nEight Sessions Cover the Farm Business\nThe Winter Business Intensive begins with Getting Started and moves through a sequence of increasingly specific farm-management topics. \nParticipants examine farm visioning and available resources; infrastructure and natural-resource planning; markets and marketing; business and financial management; sustainable production planning; entrepreneurship and risk management; and loans\, grants\, and support programs. \nTogether\, these sessions encourage farmers to view the operation as a complete business rather than focusing only on production. \nFor beginning farmers\, the series can provide a framework for turning ideas into a realistic plan. Established producers can use the same process to evaluate expansion\, new enterprises\, changing markets or investments in infrastructure. \nGraduation Recognizes More Than Attendance\nThe Field School Graduation marks the completion of a structured educational commitment extending across several months. \nAppalachian RC&D says the Winter Business Intensive includes presentations from more than 20 agricultural professionals\, including representatives from Extension\, USDA agencies\, other agricultural organizations\, and experienced farmers. Participants also receive take-home resources and practical tools intended for use on their own farms. \nThe final gathering gives farmers a chance to reflect on what they have learned and consider which ideas they want to carry into the next growing season or business year. \nThe potluck also creates space for the peer relationships that develop during a multi-session program. Those connections can remain useful after the formal classes end as farmers continue working through similar production\, financial\, and marketing challenges. \nTAEP Credits Add Practical Value\nGraduates of the Winter Business Intensive may also qualify for up to two education credits toward Tennessee’s Agricultural Enhancement Program Producer Diversification Cost-Share Program. \nAppalachian RC&D says the Tennessee Department of Agriculture accredits the Winter Business Intensive and that qualifying education credits remain valid for up to three years after the class ends. \nThat gives the series an additional practical benefit for Tennessee farmers considering future Producer Diversification investments. \n\n\nA Final Gathering for the 2026-27 Class\nThe February 2 Field School Graduation and Potluck closes a program built around helping farmers make stronger business decisions and connect with agricultural resources across Northeast Tennessee. \nThe gathering is scheduled from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Langston Centre in Johnson City. \nParticipants should check with Appalachian RC&D for final instructions about the potluck\, attendance requirements\, and any graduation details as the event approaches. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/winter-business-intensive-graduation-and-potluck/
LOCATION:Langston Centre\, 315 Elm St\, Johnson City\, TN\, 37601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/graduation.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20270803T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270805T000000
DTSTAMP:20260913T160740Z
CREATED:20260913T154246Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260913T160740Z
UID:9724-1817251200-1817424000@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Farm to Classroom: Foothills and Western North Carolina
DESCRIPTION:NC State Extension professional development experience for high school science educators using farms\, research facilities\, and agricultural businesses as real-world science classrooms. This is the Foothills and Western North Carolina portion of the 2027 summer experience. \n 
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/farm-to-classroom-foothills-and-western-north-carolina/
LOCATION:NC
CATEGORIES:Education
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/High-Country-Farm-Tour.webp
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