Thinking About Becoming a Farmer?
Attend One of Five Workshops to Get You Started
SPRING HILL, Tenn. – A century ago Americans absorbed their “farming education” mostly first-hand through chores and kitchen table discussions. Today that is not the case, and Rob Holland, director of the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture (CPA), says many would-be farmers have no idea how to get started in the business.
Holland is working with Mitchell Mote, UT Extension agent in Rutherford County, to present a workshop for those who have been dreaming of managing their own green acres. Co-sponsored by Farm Credit Mid-America, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, USDA Rural Development and UT Extension -Tennessee State University Extension, the workshop “Considerations for Beginning Farmers” will be offered to anyone interested in becoming a farm owner-operator.
The workshop is being scheduled in five locations across the state over the course of the next several months. Each event is independent, and the same materials will be presented. Those interested may choose from any of the remaining events. The premiere event was held September 21 in Spring Hill, and the organizers were pleased with the enthusiasm of the attendees, most of whom reside in Tennessee, but one came from Arkansas.
“Based on the feedback from the participants, I think we’re on the right track with this effort,” said Mote. “The information we present is timely and is sought after by people who are a few generations removed from the family farm, but who are interested in returning to their roots, so to speak.”
The full-day workshop is designed for those with little or no farming background. Program topics include the language of agriculture; a self-assessment of goals, desires and commitment; basic crop and livestock needs; evaluating land suitability; equipment and tools; potential risks; and more.
Registration to attend is $25 per person, which includes the program and lunch.
The workshop is scheduled for five dates and locations across the state, beginning November 9 and running through July 2017:
Nov. 9, 2016
Tri-State Exhibition Center, McDonald, TN (Bradley Co.)
(Registration deadline Nov. 1)
Jan. 25, 2017
UT-TSU Extension Office, Montgomery Co.
(Registration deadline Jan. 13, 2017)
March 28, 2017
White Co. Ag Complex (Fairgrounds)
(Registration deadline March 20, 2017)
May 10, 2017
Grainger County Ag. Pavilion
(Registration deadline is May 2, 2017)
July 11, 2017
UT-TSU Extension Office, Madison Co.
(Registration deadline July 3, 2017)
For more information, contact Mitchell Mote in the Rutherford County Extension Office at 615-898-7710.
Through its mission of research, teaching and extension, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) touches lives and provides Real. Life. Solutions. ag.tennessee.edu
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Contacts:
Mitchell Mote, Rutherford County Extension Office, 615-898-7710
Rob Holland, UT Center for Profitable Agriculture, 931-486-2777
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Text and photo available online at UTIA news.