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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261120T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261120T160000
DTSTAMP:20261025T205039Z
CREATED:20261025T205039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T205039Z
UID:11217-1795183200-1795190400@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Southwest Virginia Tree Syrup School — Optional Educational Hike
DESCRIPTION:An optional afternoon before the school\nVirginia Cooperative Extension lists an optional educational hike Nov. 20\, 2026\, from 2 to 4 p.m. Eastern as part of Southwest Virginia Tree Syrup School. The program’s listed location is the Oxbow Center\, 16620 E. Riverside Drive in St. Paul. Confirm the hike’s precise meeting point and participation arrangements with Wise County Extension. \nSuggested preparation for an outdoor visit\nAsk the organizer about the route\, walking conditions\, accessibility and any weather-related instructions before deciding what to bring. Do not assume that the school’s indoor meeting location describes every part of the outdoor activity. If you have a mobility or access concern\, explain it directly to the office so it can discuss the actual arrangements. These are preparation questions\, not a description of a verified route\, required equipment or an announced cancellation policy. \nBring a woodland learning question\nConsider what you want to understand about a woodland before researching syrup production. A useful question may concern how to identify a starting point for a site assessment or where to find dependable local information. Keep notes on the distinction between an observation at a visited site and a recommendation for your own property. The hike’s title does not establish that a particular tree\, piece of equipment or management practice will be demonstrated. Let the organizer’s actual program guide those expectations. \nRegister through the school program\nUse the official registration page to review current terms and ask whether the school registration covers the optional hike. No separate hike price has been verified\, so this entry does not describe it as free. The main production school is a separate calendar item on Nov. 21. Contact Phillip Meeks at 276-328-6194 or pmeeks@vt.edu about the hike and current participation instructions. Keep the two dates separate when arranging travel\, and check for any updated meeting directions before leaving for St. Paul. Ask whom to contact on the day of the hike if directions or changing conditions make the meeting point unclear. \nOfficial information and current participation details
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/southwest-virginia-tree-syrup-school-optional-educational-hike/
LOCATION:Oxbow Center\, 16620 E. Riverside Drive\, St. Paul\, VA\, 24283
CATEGORIES:Education
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261121T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261121T160000
DTSTAMP:20261025T205039Z
CREATED:20261025T205039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T205039Z
UID:11218-1795251600-1795276800@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Southwest Virginia Tree Syrup School
DESCRIPTION:A school for two experience levels\nSouthwest Virginia Tree Syrup School meets Nov. 21\, 2026\, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern at the Oxbow Center in St. Paul. The announcement provides beginner and experienced-producer tracks. Subjects include suitable trees\, equipment and woodland management. Register by Nov. 19. Adult and child prices increase after Nov. 15; use the registration page for household packages and payment terms. \nChoose the questions that fit your experience\nSuggested preparation starts with the decision you are trying to make. A beginner may want to learn what a realistic first investigation involves before buying equipment. An established producer may have a more specific question about a management problem or a possible change. Write down the relevant conditions and the information you already have. These are preparation prompts\, not a guarantee that the school offers an individual property assessment or covers a particular equipment model. \nConsider the enterprise as a whole\nFor optional planning\, list the time\, facilities and expenses you would need to understand before starting or expanding syrup production. Ask which questions need site-specific advice and which reliable resources can help with early research. Separate a learning opportunity from a promise of income. A woodland enterprise still needs a realistic evaluation of labor\, production conditions and the way a product would reach customers. The program can provide a place to ask informed questions without establishing the economics of a particular property. \nConfirm the registration option\nThe meeting location is 16620 E. Riverside Drive\, St. Paul. Review the current fee schedule rather than treating the early adult price as the charge for every participant or registration date. Ask whether an optional Nov. 20 hike fits your plans and confirm its arrangements separately. Contact Phillip Meeks at 276-328-6194 or pmeeks@vt.edu about access or participation questions. Keep the payment confirmation\, because the registration notice says payment is needed to complete enrollment. Check current directions and program updates before traveling. \nOfficial information and current participation details
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/southwest-virginia-tree-syrup-school/
LOCATION:Oxbow Center\, 16620 E. Riverside Drive\, St. Paul\, VA\, 24283
CATEGORIES:Education
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261122
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261123
DTSTAMP:20261025T205038Z
CREATED:20261025T205038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T205038Z
UID:11215-1795305600-1795391999@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Georgia Dairy Conference Travel Assistance — Application Deadline
DESCRIPTION:Apply before funding is committed\nSDBII’s Georgia Dairy Conference travel-assistance applications close Nov. 22\, 2026\, at 11:59 p.m.\, with the timezone unstated in the reviewed notice. The conference is Jan. 18–20\, 2027\, in Savannah. Eligible out-of-state dairy businesses may receive up to $1\,000. Awards roll out while funds remain. Applicants must meet the permitted-business and prior-attendance rules. \nCheck this opportunity’s requirements\nRead the specific conference section of the official opportunities page before starting an application. Do not carry eligibility assumptions from a different SDBII scholarship into this request. Ask whether the business and intended attendee meet the current conditions and what information establishes that. An early application may allow more time to resolve a missing detail\, but it does not guarantee a place or funding. This is an application milestone\, not the conference registration deadline. \nSuggested travel planning\nPrepare a short budget that distinguishes registration\, lodging and transportation. Compare each expense with the assistance rules and identify which costs the business would still need to pay. Ask about reimbursement documentation before making a reservation. Consider cancellation terms when arranging travel before a decision arrives. These are independent planning suggestions rather than additional award requirements. Keep any estimate clearly separate from the amount the program eventually approves. Avoid describing the maximum award as a payment every applicant will receive. \nRetain the application and award records\nKeep a copy of the application and the portal confirmation\, then follow the actual instructions provided if selected. Ask when decisions are communicated and how participants document conference attendance. Use the program’s current guidance for receipts\, sign-in and reimbursement. Because the published closing hour lacks a timezone\, this calendar item marks the deadline date and urges applicants to submit earlier. Check the applicant portal or program staff for the authoritative cutoff before relying on a late-evening submission. Limited funds can be committed before the final announced date. If more than one person is considering attendance\, ask how the program applies its business and participant rules before submitting separate requests. \nOfficial information and current participation details
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/georgia-dairy-conference-travel-assistance-application-deadline/
CATEGORIES:Education
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20261125
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20261126
DTSTAMP:20261025T205038Z
CREATED:20261025T205038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T205038Z
UID:11216-1795564800-1795651199@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Value-Added Dairy Experiential Course — Application Deadline
DESCRIPTION:Apply for the Puerto Rico learning course\nApplications for SDBII’s 2027 dairy experiential course close Nov. 25\, 2026\, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. The draft Puerto Rico itinerary is April 19–24. Selected participants receive registration\, lodging and course transportation\, plus up to $500 toward airfare. Participants must fund at least two meals. Age\, business-permitting\, regional and personnel limits apply. \nConnect the course with a learning goal\nSuggested preparation includes identifying what you want to understand from visits to dairy production and processing businesses. Explain how that knowledge could inform a decision at your own operation. Consider which person is best placed to attend and share useful observations afterward. These are application-planning suggestions\, not a statement of selection criteria or a guarantee that a specific farm or facility will remain on the draft itinerary. Use the official course section for current details. \nPlan for the costs you retain\nPrepare a budget that separates covered course arrangements\, potential airfare reimbursement and personal expenses. Ask what documentation the program needs and when reimbursement occurs. Consider the time away from the business and how routine responsibilities would be covered. Do not assume that every travel expense\, meal or optional activity is funded. Before committing to a ticket\, read the actual acceptance and travel instructions. A maximum reimbursement amount does not establish that every applicant will receive that amount or that an expense qualifies. \nComplete the current application\nUse the SDBII applicant portal and review this course’s own eligibility requirements. Ask the program about any unclear permitting status\, participant age or business-personnel limit before submitting. Retain the confirmation and the version of the application you sent. This calendar entry marks the November application deadline\, not a class that takes place that day. The later course dates remain contextual information from a draft itinerary. If selected\, confirm the final schedule and participation arrangements directly with the program before making travel commitments. Discuss how course notes and resources would be shared with others in the operation after the participant returns. \nOfficial information and current participation details
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/value-added-dairy-experiential-course-application-deadline/
CATEGORIES:Education
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261204T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261204T170000
DTSTAMP:20261025T205046Z
CREATED:20261025T205046Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20261025T205046Z
UID:11222-1796378400-1796403600@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Winter Management Series — Cattle Technologies
DESCRIPTION:Save the date in Statesville\nNC Cooperative Extension announces Winter Management Series: Cattle Technologies for Dec. 4\, 2026\, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern at the Iredell County Extension Office. Announced subjects include virtual fencing collars\, grain-bin monitoring software\, livestock health monitoring and reproductive technologies. Registration details have not yet been released. Use this listing as a save-the-date announcement. \nStart with a management problem\nSuggested preparation includes describing the task you would like to improve before comparing tools. Identify how you make the decision now\, what information is missing and how often a better measurement might change your response. A clear question can help you evaluate a technology discussion without assuming a purchase is the next step. These are planning prompts\, not confirmed workshop exercises or a promise that the program will assess your individual operation. \nQuestions for evaluating a tool\nConsider the full workflow around a device or software service. Ask what it measures\, how a person receives the information and what action an alert is meant to support. Other useful questions concern training\, maintenance\, recurring charges\, data access and operation when connectivity is limited. Keep a proposed benefit separate from evidence that it applies to your own system. Do not assume that a technology featured in an education program carries an endorsement or guarantees a financial return. A later trial should have a question and a practical way to evaluate the result. \nWatch for registration details\nThe county office address is 444 Bristol Drive in Statesville. Check the updated event information for the meeting room\, arrival instructions\, registration route and any fee before making final plans. No meal\, continuing education credit or equipment demonstration has been promised in this listing. Contact the organizer if accessibility or participation details are unclear. After additional information appears\, compare the actual program with your learning goals. Use the announced local hours rather than a generic all-day calendar label\, and check for changes before traveling. \nOfficial information and current participation details
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/winter-management-series-cattle-technologies/
LOCATION:Iredell County Extension Center\, 444 Bristol Drive\, Statesville\, NC\, 28677
CATEGORIES:Education
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261215T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261215T000000
DTSTAMP:20260927T215417Z
CREATED:20260913T154140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T215417Z
UID:9710-1797292800-1797292800@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:NC AgVentures Application Deadline
DESCRIPTION:NC AgVentures applications are due Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. The portal may close earlier if the program receives 200 applications.
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/nc-agventures-application-deadline/
CATEGORIES:Education,Grants & Deadlines
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
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:20270105T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20270105T000000
DTSTAMP:20260927T214532Z
CREATED:20260915T191020Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260927T214532Z
UID:10062-1799107200-1799107200@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:2027 Sullivan County Master Gardener Application Deadline
DESCRIPTION:The 2027 Sullivan County Master Gardener Application Deadline is January 5\, 2027\, for gardeners interested in joining the upcoming Tennessee Extension Master Gardener training program in Northeast Tennessee. \nThis calendar entry marks the application deadline only. The actual 2027 Master Gardener Intern Training begins February 2 and continues through April 27 at the Ron Ramsey Agricultural Extension Center in Blountville. \nApplications are currently open for the 2027 class. \nTraining Begins in February\nAccepted applicants will participate in Master Gardener training on Tuesday evenings from February 2 through April 27\, 2027\, with sessions scheduled from 6 to 7:30 p.m. \nThe program will combine online lectures with required in-person class sessions. Training will be based at the Ron Ramsey Agricultural Extension Center\, 140 Spurgeon Lane in Blountville. \nThe 2027 program costs $200. \nThe Tennessee Extension Master Gardener program prepares volunteers to share research-based horticultural information and support Extension educational programs within their communities. \nServing Northeast Tennessee Communities\nThe Northeast Tennessee Master Gardener Association includes volunteers representing Sullivan\, Washington\, Unicoi\, Carter\, Johnson\, and Hawkins counties. \nMaster Gardener volunteers support horticultural education and community-service projects throughout the region. Their work may include educational programs\, community gardens\, horticultural demonstrations\, and opportunities to help residents find reliable answers to gardening and landscape questions. \nThe program is intended for people who want to do more than improve their own gardening knowledge. Participants should also be interested in using what they learn to serve their communities as Extension Master Gardener volunteers. \nApply by January 5\nAnyone interested in joining the 2027 class should complete the application process by January 5\, 2027. \nUT-TSU Extension Sullivan County provides the application and additional program information. Prospective participants who have questions about training or the application process can also contact the Sullivan County Extension office. \nBecause the training includes required sessions extending from February through April\, prospective applicants should review the schedule before applying and make sure they can meet the program’s training commitments. \nThis deadline listing should remain separate from the individual Master Gardener training dates on the AHF Education Calendar. Readers looking for the actual class schedule should refer to the 2027 Sullivan County Master Gardener Intern Training listings beginning February 2. \nApplication deadline: January 5\, 2027\nTraining dates: February 2-April 27\, 2027\nMeeting time: Tuesdays\, 6-7:30 p.m.\nTraining location: Ron Ramsey Agricultural Extension Center\nAddress: 140 Spurgeon Lane\, Blountville\, TN 37617\nCost: $200\nOrganizer: UT-TSU Extension Sullivan County
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/2027-sullivan-county-master-gardener-application-deadline/
CATEGORIES:Certifications,Education,Grants & Deadlines
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: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/
CATEGORIES:Education,Grants & Deadlines
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
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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BEGIN:VEVENT
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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BEGIN:VEVENT
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/
CATEGORIES:Education
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/High-Country-Farm-Tour.webp
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