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X-WR-CALNAME:Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260929T180000
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UID:9673-1790704800-1790715600@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Farm Dreams Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Explore Whether Farming Is the Right Path at the Farm Dreams workshop\nOrganic Growers School will offer its Farm Dreams workshop online on September 29 from 6 to 9 p.m.\, giving aspiring farmers an opportunity to explore what it takes to turn an interest in agriculture into a realistic farming plan. \nFarm Dreams workshop is an entry-level program for people considering starting a small farm but who may not yet know what type of operation they want to build\, what training they need\, or what resources they already have. \nRather than assuming participants are ready to launch a farm business\, the workshop encourages them to examine whether farming fits their skills\, goals\, and desired lifestyle. \n\n\nAssess Skills\, Resources and Intentions\nParticipants will assess their existing resources\, skills\, and farming intentions while beginning to develop an educational plan for their agricultural goals. \nFarm Dreams workshop also introduces participants to sustainable farming careers in Western North Carolina and to regional training programs and support networks that can help them continue learning. Experienced North Carolina farmers will participate\, giving prospective producers a chance to hear from people already operating farms. \nThat can be valuable for people who have enthusiasm for farming but limited experience with the business and lifestyle realities that come with agricultural production. \nQuestions about land\, equipment\, production knowledge\, business planning\, and markets can quickly become important when someone moves from gardening or agricultural employment toward operating an independent farm. \nA Starting Point in Farmer Education\nOrganic Growers School offers farmer education for people at several stages of their agricultural careers. Farm Dreams serves as an early step for those still exploring farming\, while programs such as Farm Beginnings and Journeyperson provide more intensive training for people farther along in their farming careers. \nThe September 29 session is online\, making it accessible to prospective farmers throughout the Appalachian Highlands without requiring travel to Western North Carolina. \nFarm Dreams workshop Participants can use the workshop to identify gaps in their experience\, consider the resources they will need\, and establish practical next steps before making major financial or land commitments. \nOrganic Growers School describes the Farm Dreams workshop as practical\, common-sense training designed to help prospective farmers better understand both the challenges and possibilities of starting a farm. The organization offers registration online. \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/farm-dreams/
LOCATION:Online / Virtual\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Farm-Dreams-1-scaled.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260929T180000
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DTSTAMP:20260926T192532Z
CREATED:20260926T192457Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260926T192532Z
UID:10554-1790704800-1790715600@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Farm Dreams
DESCRIPTION:Explore Whether Farming Is Right for You\nOrganic Growers School will offer its Farm Dreams workshop online September 29 from 6 to 9 p.m. The entry-level program is designed for people who are considering a farming career and want practical guidance before making major commitments of land\, money or time. \nParticipants will examine their resources\, skills\, intentions and expectations while learning about the realities of operating a small farm. The workshop emphasizes thoughtful planning rather than encouraging participants to rush into production. \nBuild a Practical Path Forward\nFarm Dreams introduces participants to sustainable farming careers in Western North Carolina and the wider Southern Appalachian region. Attendees begin developing an educational plan\, identify regional training and support networks and clarify the next steps that fit their own farm goals. \nThe program also connects aspiring farmers with experienced growers who can speak about the day-to-day realities of operating a farm business. \nDesigned for Beginning Farmers\nThe workshop is appropriate for people who are still deciding whether to farm\, as well as those who have already started exploring land\, enterprises or training opportunities. No established farm business is required to participate. \nThe September 29 session will be held online. Prospective participants should register through Organic Growers School before the workshop.
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/farm-dreams-3/
CATEGORIES:Education
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261103T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261103T210000
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
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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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