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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Appalachian Highlands Farmers Magazine
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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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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261105T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261106T160000
DTSTAMP:20260915T215705Z
CREATED:20260913T154134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260915T215705Z
UID:9703-1793865600-1793980800@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:Veterans in Agriculture Regional Conference
DESCRIPTION:The Veterans in Agriculture Regional Conference will bring veteran farmers and their families together for two days of agricultural education\, hands-on learning\, farm tours\, and networking in Nashville\, Tennessee. \nThe conference will be held Nov. 5-6\, 2026\, at the Ed Jones Auditorium at the Ellington Agricultural Center\, 416 Hogan Road\, Nashville. The event is part of the Tennessee AgVets Opportunities on FarmLand\, or TN AgVOLs\, program and is being presented through a partnership that includes Appalachian Resource Conservation & Development Council\, the University of Tennessee Center of Farm Management\, Tennessee AgrAbility\, UT Extension\, and other agricultural organizations. \n\n\nAgricultural Training and Hands-On Learning\nThe Veterans in Agriculture Regional Conference connects veterans involved in agriculture with other farmers\, agricultural professionals\, and organizations that provide training and assistance. \nThe two-day program will include farm tours\, workshops\, demonstrations\, and networking opportunities. Participants will learn from agricultural professionals while meeting other veterans who are starting\, operating\, or expanding farms and agricultural businesses. \nThe conference is part of a broader TN AgVOLs effort to help veterans and transitioning service members enter agriculture. The program connects participants with technical assistance\, education\, hands-on training\, and other resources that can help them develop new agricultural businesses or strengthen existing operations. \nResources for Veteran Farmers\nTN AgVOLs works with agricultural organizations across Tennessee to connect veteran farmers with educational opportunities\, internships\, farm mentors\, and other resources. \nThe program also provides information about agricultural training scholarships. TN AgVOLs currently reimburses up to $250 for veterans who complete approved agriculture-related educational programs. Conference organizers also indicate that scholarship assistance is available for the Veterans in Agriculture Regional Conference. \nBeyond formal educational sessions\, the conference will give participants time to build connections with other veteran farmers and agricultural professionals. Those relationships can help beginning farmers identify resources\, learn from established producers\, and become more involved in Tennessee’s agricultural community. \nMeals Included During the Conference\nRegistration includes a light breakfast and lunch each day. According to event organizers\, the conference is open to veterans and their families. \nThe Veterans in Agriculture Regional Conference is the first annual conference organized through the TN AgVOLs initiative. Veterans interested in farming\, developing an agricultural business\, or expanding an existing operation can use the event to explore educational resources\, meet agricultural professionals\, and connect with other veteran farmers from across the region. \nDates: Nov. 5-6\, 2026\nLocation: Ed Jones Auditorium\, Ellington Agricultural Center\nAddress: 416 Hogan Road\, Nashville\, TN 37220\nFormat: In-person conference\nActivities: Farm tours\, workshops\, demonstrations\, and networking\nMeals: Light breakfast and lunch provided both days\nEligibility: Veterans and their families \n  \nRead our full-length articles about educational opportunities here!
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/veterans-in-agriculture-conference/
LOCATION:Ed Jones Auditorium\, Ellington Agricultural Center\, 416 Hogan Rd\, Nashville\, TN\, 37220\, United States
CATEGORIES:Education,Workshops & Seminars
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ChatGPT-Image-Sep-15-2026-05_39_44-PM.png
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261109T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261109T183000
DTSTAMP:20260928T165130Z
CREATED:20260928T165124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260928T165130Z
UID:10749-1794249000-1794249000@appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com
SUMMARY:NC AgVentures Farm Grant Applicant Webinar — November 9
DESCRIPTION:AgVentures November Webinar Explains the Farm Grant Process\nAgVentures November Webinar gives North Carolina farmers and eligible community organizations an opportunity to learn how the NC AgVentures Farm Grant Program works before the 2026 application deadline. This online session begins November 9 and will cover the same core information offered in the program’s other applicant webinars. \nNC AgVentures provides competitive grants of up to $10\,000 for agricultural projects intended to increase farm profits. The program is administered through NC State Extension with funding from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission. \nWhat Applicants Should Know\nNC AgVentures says eligible farm applicants must be North Carolina residents with an established independent farm operation in the state. The farm must have generated revenue for at least one year. Local nonprofit community organizations may also qualify for projects that support agricultural profitability. \nThe 2026 grant cycle will accept no more than 200 applications\, so interested applicants should prepare early. Farmers are also expected to work with their local Extension agent during the proposal process. \nApplications Open October 15\nThe application portal opens October 15. The final deadline is December 15 at 6 p.m.\, but the portal will close earlier if the program receives 200 applications. The applicant webinar is intended to explain the process\, highlight updates and give prospective applicants a chance to ask questions before submitting.
URL:https://appalachianhighlandsfarmers.com/event/nc-agventures-farm-grant-applicant-webinar-november-9/
LOCATION:VA
CATEGORIES:Education
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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