Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners (MOFGA)’s upcoming Farm Training Project (FTP) workshops are designed for apprentices, Journeypeople, farmworkers and other beginning farmers. They follow an informal format including a farm tour and conversation on the topic of the day. All events are free but require registration.
The “Starting Your Farm” workshop is a three-part Zoom series. First up is Accessing Resources, scheduled for 5 – 7 p.m. on Sept. 13. Finding a place and resources to farm can be a huge challenge. Whether you’re working as a farmhand, manager or apprentice, it is never too soon to consider your options.
Maine’s field agent for Land For Good and Bo Dennis, MOFGA’s beginning farmer specialist, will help you brainstorm about your future farm, the land base you’ll need and the variety of ways to achieve your farm dream. This session will include time for you to hear from others, reflect on your goals and learn about the resources available to support you in farming.
On Oct. 4 from 5 – 7 p.m., the focus is “Selecting Your Enterprises.” Once you have begun to explore your options for starting a farm, it is important to consider what you plan to grow and sell. Join Nicolas Lindholm, MOFGA’s business and marketing specialist, for an interactive workshop on enterprise selection and financial planning. We will discuss enterprise budgeting and consider what influences what you might choose to focus on on your farm.
Then, on Oct. 18, they’ll cover “Planning Your First Year in Production.” Designed for participants who have attended the first two sessions of the workshop series, this workshop will cover how to create a production plan for your first year. We will be joined by MOFGA Production Specialist Mariam Taleb. This interactive workshop will guide you through the process of developing your first production plan and offer chances to connect with other beginning farmers in similar enterprises as you.
To register for the first workshop (and to find links to the other two), go to https://www.mofga.org/event-calendar/starting-your-farm-accessing-resources/.
If you have questions, call 207.568.4142 or email MOFGA’s Beginning Farmer Program Specialist Bo Dennis at bdennis@mofga.org.
