Small Farm Outreach Program

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NEW AND BEGINNING FARMER & RANCHER PROGRAM

TRAINING FOR MINORITIES, U.S. MILITARY VETERANS & SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED

WE HAVE ONE GOAL IN MIND—TO HELP YOU GET STARTED IN A SUCCESSFUL FARM OPERATION

The Small Farm Outreach Program's New and Beginning Farmer & Rancher training is designed especially for minorities, socially disadvantaged and military veterans who want the opportunity to learn how to start and maintain a successful farm business. Our holistic approach includes education, outreach, hands-on experiential learning, training and technical assistance as well as farmer-mentor support for those who participate.

BEGIN WITH A SMALL FARM ORIENTATION WORKSHOP

Each month, the Small Farm Outreach team offers Small Farm Orientation for a limited number of new and beginning farmers. This half-day workshop introduces the available training programs, technical assistance and financial resources designed to support farm operations.

ATTEND A WHOLE FARM PLANNING WORKSHOP

This introductory course provides comprehensive information about the New and Beginning Farmer & Rancher Program from VSU Small Farm Outreach Program. See our Events page for upcoming workshops.

SEE HOW YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY!

SFOP provides educational programming to localities with the highest concentrations of limited-resource, socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers in the state. Currently, SFOP serves 74 of Virginia’s 95 counties. It also provides programming that covers the entire Commonwealth as well as North Carolina and Maryland through federally funded grants and cooperative agreements.

Farmer Mentor and 2017 Small Farmer of the Year Herbert Brown, Sr.

Farmer Mentor Clif Slade shares information with new farmers at a Whole Farm Planning workshop.

How It Works

FREE OR LOW-COST EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS WILL HELP YOU:

Create financial plans and make decisions about when and how to grow your farm business
Identify and apply for financial resources that may be available
Improve farm production, livestock and forest management practices
Evaluate value-added production strategies that provide additional income from your farm products
Learn about state-of-the-art farm tools and equipment
Develop marketing strategies to help you find buyers and build your customer base

PERSONAL SUPPORT FROM A SMALL FARM OUTREACH PROGRAM AGENT:

Get convenient, one-on-one training and technical assistance
Experience hands-on, in-the-field training

CONNECT WITH EXPERIENCED PRODUCERS:

Learn from farmer-mentors who understand the challenges and benefits of creating and sustaining a small farm
Become acquainted with others in the program and network with established farmers throughout Virginia at conferences and on farm tours