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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261001T190000
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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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/20260531_125754-scaled.jpg
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SUMMARY:Beyond Direct Sales: Market Pathways for Farms
DESCRIPTION:Look Beyond Direct-to-Consumer Sales\nKentucky farmers interested in expanding beyond farmers markets\, farm stands and other direct sales can join a free webinar October 6 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern. The program will examine market pathways that include restaurants\, schools\, retailers\, institutions\, distributors and produce auctions. \nThe session is designed for diversified farms that want a clearer picture of what different buyers expect and what it takes to become ready for larger or more structured markets. \nUnderstand Buyer Requirements\nPresenters will discuss pricing\, production volume\, food safety\, quality standards and logistics using examples from Kentucky farms. The webinar will also address common pitfalls and partnerships that can help growers strengthen their market readiness. \nParticipants should leave with practical next steps for evaluating which sales channels fit their farms rather than assuming every wholesale opportunity is a good match. \nFree Registration Required\nThe Food Connection and the University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification are leading the webinar in partnership with the Organic Association of Kentucky. Support comes from the USDA Transition to Organic Partnership Program and the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. \nRegistration fees are waived\, but advance registration is required. Organizers also plan to record the webinar.
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/beyond-direct-sales-market-pathways-for-farms/
CATEGORIES:Education
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261006T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261006T210000
DTSTAMP:20260923T203548Z
CREATED:20260913T154018Z
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UID:9684-1791309600-1791320400@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Winter Business Intensive: Getting Started
DESCRIPTION:Winter Business Intensive: Getting Started opens the series by helping farmers assess where their businesses stand and identify the goals\, challenges\, and resources shaping the months ahead. \nStart Building a Stronger Farm Business\nAppalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council will open its 2026-27 Winter Business Intensive Field School with Getting Started on October 6. \nThe opening session kicks off an eight-class series for beginning farmers\, experienced producers\, and other agricultural entrepreneurs who want to strengthen the business side of their operations. The Winter Business Intensive focuses on the management skills farmers need beyond production\, including business planning\, finances\, marketing\, record-keeping\, production planning\, and long-term decision-making. \nGetting Started serves as the foundation for the sessions that follow. Participants can begin identifying where their farm businesses stand\, what they want to accomplish\, and which areas need additional planning or support. \nFor someone preparing to start a farm\, those questions may involve determining whether the proposed enterprise is financially realistic. Established farmers may use the same process to evaluate expansion\, diversification\, or changes in how they manage the operation. \n\n\nLook Beyond Production\nKnowing how to grow a crop or raise livestock is only one part of operating a successful farm. \nFarmers also have to make decisions about expenses\, pricing\, markets\, taxes\, insurance\, infrastructure\, labor\, and risk. Appalachian RC&D says the Winter Field School brings in more than 20 agricultural professionals\, including representatives from Extension\, USDA agencies\, and other agricultural organizations\, along with experienced farmers who can provide practical insight from their own operations. \nParticipants receive tools and resources intended for immediate use on their farms rather than relying only on classroom theory. \nThe broader series includes sessions addressing farm visioning and resource assessment\, infrastructure and natural resources\, markets and marketing\, business and financial management\, sustainable production planning\, entrepreneurship and risk management\, and loans\, grants and support programs. \nWork Toward a Farm Business Plan\nOne of the central goals of the Winter Business Intensive is helping participants develop a more complete business plan for their farms. \nA business plan can help a farmer clarify goals\, evaluate costs and income\, identify markets and prepare for conversations with lenders\, grant programs or other agricultural support organizations. \nThe process can also expose weaknesses before a farmer makes a major investment. \nFor beginning producers\, that may mean determining whether a proposed enterprise can realistically generate enough income to support the operation. For established farms\, planning may reveal which enterprises deserve additional investment and which ones need to change. \nTAEP Education Credits Available\nThe Winter Business Intensive is accredited by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. \nFarmers who successfully complete the program can qualify for up to two education credits toward the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program Producer Diversification Cost-Share Program. Appalachian RC&D says those education credits remain valid for up to three years after completion of the class. \nThat can make the series particularly useful for Tennessee producers considering future TAEP Producer Diversification projects\, as well as farmers who simply want stronger business-management skills. \nTraining Designed for Regional Farmers\nAppalachian RC&D developed Field School to serve farmers in Northeast Tennessee and the surrounding Appalachian region. \nThe organization says the program is appropriate for beginning farmers who want to learn from experienced producers and agricultural professionals as well as established farmers looking for new ideas or preparing to expand their operations. \nGetting Started gives participants a place to begin that process before later sessions move into more specialized topics. \nFarmers interested in participating should register through Appalachian RC&D and review the current Winter Field School information for session logistics and program requirements. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational and grant opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/winter-business-intensive-getting-started/
LOCATION:Langston Centre\, 315 Elm St\, Johnson City\, TN\, 37601\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Field Days
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