Growing the next generation of farmers

FROM THE GROUND UP: Julia Grigg, current Farm Beginnings participant, with growing garlic at Full Sun Farm. Photo by Amelie Fletcher

Starting any small business can be a scary endeavor. The statistics aren’t in favor of startups: While the exact failure rates vary depending on the source, it’s safe to say the numbers aren’t rosy. Knowing that few new farmers — working in arguably one of the most difficult and demanding professions — succeed without assistance, in 2015 the Organic Growers School set out to provide that help. And the school has been refining its Farm Beginnings yearlong training program ever since.

This year, organizers have added a 15-plus-hour mentorship component, pairing novice WNC farmers (some who’ve moved here specifically to launch a farm business) with more experienced growers who farm in a way the beginners admire or wish to emulate.

“This really strengthens our farming training,” says program coordinator Nicole DelCogliano. “The students get to meet a lot of farmers during the winter coursework and, during the season, participate in field days and farm tours, but it’s so helpful to have someone they can count on for guidance and questions as they start to work with their own land (or rented land) and build systems and enterprises.”

SEASONED PRO: Vanessa Campell with Full Sun Farm, an established local farm, is on the steering committee for the new-farmer training program. Photo by Amelie Fletcher
SEASONED PRO: Vanessa Campell with Full Sun Farm, an established local farm, is on the steering committee for the new-farmer training program. Photo by Amelie Fletcher

Coursework includes whole-farm business planning sessions, as well as classes at the Organic Growers School’s annual conferences and the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s Business of Farming conference. Field days are held at the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm and other sustainable operations throughout the region. In total, the program offers more than 200 hours of training time.

To date, 45 farmers have completed Farm Beginnings. Graduates have gone on to establish businesses selling produce, herbs and more, DelCogliano says.

Applications for the 2017-18 program will be accepted through Sept. 1 (the program kicks off on Oct. 15). The fee is $3,000; an early-bird discount of $100 will be given to those who apply by Aug. 15. Scholarships and payment plans are available, and farmers can apply with their farm partner. Find more information and the application at www.organicgrowersschool.org.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Maggie Cramer
Writer, Editor, Communications Specialist

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

One thought on “Growing the next generation of farmers

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.