organicgrowersschool.org · Web viewFarmer Training. October 201. 7-September 201. 8. The Farm...

Application For OGS Farm Beginnings® Farmer Training

October 2017-September 2018

The Farm Beginnings® class is a 12-month training program that helps beginning farmers clarify their goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan and start building their operation. The course uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, an extensive farmer network and mentoring. Farm Beginnings® is designed for new and prospective farmers who want to plan a profitable farm business. Students do not need to currently own land, but some farming or production experience is required.

Please be sure to read the OGS Farm Beginnings website here and the following document to understand the requirements to participate. This year-long training is a big commitment. Be sure you understand the in’s and out’s. The course fee includes a total of 210+ hours of class time:

● 60 hours of class instruction**● 24 hours of WNC CRAFT Farm Tours● 14-20 hours of Field days farmer workshops at the Southern Appalachian

Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm● 40+ hours of classes at the OGS Spring Conference and Harvest

Conferences● 8 hours at ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference● 10-15 hours of one-on-one mentoring with an advanced Mentor Farmer

Course Fee: $3000 per farm for up to 2 farm business partners. ● If you are unable to pay the full course fee, do not be deterred! Scholarships

and payment plans are available and we encourage you to apply. Learn more on our Tuition & Scholarships page.

**NOTE: Although the spring & summer portions of the Farm Beginnings curriculum include production-related workshops, please keep in mind that a bulk of the time commitment is classroom-based, with the content focusing primarily on the business side of farming. This class is not about teaching farming practices, but understanding farming in the context of business management.

OGS Farm Beginnings Introduction and Application Packet 2017-2018 1

Application deadline: September 1st, 2017

How to apply: Send completed application via mail to the address or email below. You can also apply online. You will be notified regarding acceptance or denial via email after September 15th.

Mailing Address: Organic Growers School, P.O. Box 17804 Asheville, NC 28816Email Address: nicole @organicgrowersschool.org

Space is limited. We would like to keep our participants to 20 to allow more time for interactions between guest speakers and participants.

A. Course Dates and Times—October ‘17 to September ‘18

LOCATION: All winter sessions are held at the Southern Appalachians Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm on Mag Sluder Road in Alexander, NC.

Organic Growers School's Farm Beginnings Farmer Training Program, 2017-2018 Schedule

Color Key:AgroecologyOGS EventsOther EventsProduction

Dates (2017-2018): Topics: Hours2017

Saturday, October 14

Winter Session 1: Orientation, Syllabus/Calendar Review, Intro to Holistic Goal, Intro to Food Systems 101 7

Wednesday, October 25

Winter Session 2: Holistic Management - Testing Decisions 3

Wednesday, November 8 Winter Session 3: Business Startup & Capitalization 3Saturday, November 18

Winter Session 4: Intro to Food Systems 102 & Agroecology 101 & Soils 7

Wednesday, November 29 Winter Session 5: Financial Planning 101 3Thursday, December 13

Winter Session 6: Financial Planning 102 - Enterprise Planning 3

2018

Wednesday, January 10

Winter Session 7: Business Planning & Economy of Scale 3

Saturday, January 20Winter Session 8: Agroecology 102 - Ecosystem Process #1 & #2 7


http://www.organicgrowersschool.org/farm-beginnings-online-application

Winter Session 8: Financial Planning 103 - Cash Flow

Wednesday, January 31 Winter Session 9: Land Management and Use 7

Winter Session 9: Agroecology 103 - Ecosystem Process #3 & #4

Saturday, February 24 ASAP's Business of Farming Conference 8Saturday, February 10 Winter Session 10: Intro to MarketingWednesday, February 28 Winter Session 11: Buyer Panel 3Friday, March 9 OGS Spring Conference: Pre-Conference Workshops 8Saturday, March 10 OGS Spring Conference: Beginning Farmer Track 8Sunday, March 11 OGS Spring Conference: Beginning Farmer Track 8Wednesday, March 14 Snow DayWednesday, March 28 Winter Session 12: Growing Season Learning Plan 3April Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4May Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4June Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4April-November Date TBD

SAHC Workshop Series - 7 or 8 two hour workshops throughout the summer & fall months 14

July Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4August Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4September Date TBD CRAFT Tour, Topic & Location TBD 4

TBD April - SeptemberMentorship: One-on-one support from an advanced Mentor Farmer 10

Friday, September 1 Due Date for Farm Proposals

Friday, September 8OGS Harvest Conference: Pre-Conference Workshops 8

Saturday, September 9 OGS Harvest Conference 8Saturday, September 16

Farm Proposal Presentations & Graduation Celebration 8Home Study Hours for Certification: 50Total # of Hours: 210

B. ASAP Business of Farming Conference (February 24th, 2018): ASAP’s Business of Farming Conference is a day of learning and networking for farmers and those seriously considering farming as a profession. Each year the conference offers business and marketing themed workshops, networking opportunities, and resources to help farmers grow their businesses. The conference also features meetings with wholesale buyers, professional consulting opportunities, business and agricultural exhibits.


C. OGS Spring Conference (March 9th-11th, 2018): OGS Spring Conference offers a wealth of organic focused practical education opportunities. Friday the 11th features full and half day workshops available for an additional fee. Admission to weekend workshops are included in Farm Beginnings fees. Over the course of three days participants can choose from over 100 different workshops. Students are encouraged to participate in the Beginning Farmer Track workshops, and other workshops that align with your farm plan.

D. CRAFT Farm Tours (April - September 2018): Farm Beginnings Participants are automatic members of WNC CRAFT. Students are able to attend 8+ farm tours hosted by CRAFT Farm Members. At each tour participants receive an overview of the general farm practices, as well as a focus on a specific farm production topic, followed by a group potluck. Topics change each year and cover practices like cover crops, vegetable production, livestock, production planning, and more. Schedule will be determined in March 2018. Farm tours are typically held on a Saturday or Sunday, 1-2 times per month.

E. Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Incubator Farm Field Days (April - September 2018): Participants attend 6-7 Field days at our partner organization’s incubator farm, including topics such as BCS maintenance and repair, livestock load-out design and build, high tunnel fall transition, and more. Schedule to be determined. Field days are typically held on Sundays and Thursdays once per month.

F. OGS Harvest Conference (September TBD, 2018): Harvest Conference is a one day conference with a focus on fall & winter Growing, home cooking, fermentation, preservation, homestead skills, and self-reliance. It also offers pre-conference whole and half-day workshop intensives.

G. One-on-One Mentorship: (April-September 2018) The Mentorship program partners students with experienced regional farmers who help them develop practical and planning skills in the areas of production, marketing and business management, and connect them to the regional farming community. This mentorship will take place April through September during the student's’ year of attendance. Once an enterprise or specific skill area that students want to develop is identified, OGS staff will help the student select which farm or farmers will be the best match to fulfill their learning objectives. Farm Mentors and students will commit to 10-15 hours of a mix of on farm, phone, and email time specific to the needs of the participating parties.

H. Certificate of Completion (September 2018): In order to receive a certificate of completion, 80% of the above activities must be attended by each participant and all required parts of the Farm Plan portfolio completed by the end of the course in September 2018. Farm Beginnings® is an


approved educational vendor with the USDA Farm Service Agency and completion of the program can help you qualify for farm loans.

Required parts of the Farm Plan Portfolio include:❏ A holistic goal❏ A timeline of one and five year plans❏ Enterprise budget and personal budget❏ Growing Season Learning Plan❏ Farm Proposal

Primary Applicant Contact Information

Name(s): ______________________________________________________________Farm Name (if applicable):________________________________________________________Address:__________________________________________________City:_______________________________________ State: ________ Zip_______County: ______________Email Address: _________________Phone: (in order of preference)(1st choice) __________________________________Home/Work/Cell (circle one)(2nd choice) _________________________________Home/Work/Cell (circle one)May we call you at work? ▢ Yes ▢ No

How did you hear about Farm Beginnings®?

▢ Email▢ Facebook/Social Media▢ Website▢ Print Ad▢ Radio

▢ Conference/event▢ Word of mouth▢ Poster▢ Other: _______________________________

Please list an emergency contact person & their phone number: __________________________________________________________________


Do you have any allergies or other medical conditions that are important for us to know about?_____________________________________________________________

Will a family or business partner attend OGS FB with you? ▢ Yes ▢ No

**If YES, please have partner complete a Partner Application (enclosed):

Partner’s Name: _____________________________________________________________________(If you need more space than provided, please attach additional sheets.)

Check all that apply to you:❏ Emerging Farmer ❏ In-training Farmer❏ Start-up Farmer❏ Seasoned Farmer❏ Currently farming trying to expand my farm enterprise❏ Community gardener/urban farmer ❏ Interested in working in agriculture but not as a farm owner.

1. Do you currently own land where you will be/are farming? ▢ Yes ▢ No

2. Do you currently have access to land where you will be/are farming, includes leased land, family/friend’s land, or other arrangement? ▢ Yes

▢ No

3. Are you actively farming now? (For the purposes of this application, “farming” can include starting a farm, transitioning an existing farm from conventional to sustainable and/or working as a manager, employee or intern on someone else’s farm.) ▢ Yes ▢ No

4. Indicate which best describes your intended farming involvement in 5-10 years. Check all that apply:

❏ Full-time farming only❏ Part-time (with off farm work) ❏ Full time (with off farm work)❏ Farm worker/Apprentice

❏ Farm manager ❏ Farmland owner ❏ Other: __________________________

5. How will this agricultural training fit into your future life plans?


6. Why are you interested in Farm Beginnings®? Explain your passion and capacity for farming. How did you come to this dream? How long have you been interested in farming?

7. What kind of knowledge and skills do you hope to achieve by attending Farm Beginnings®?

8. Indicate the areas you are specifically interested in working on during the Farm Beginnings® training. Check all that apply:

❏ Financial planning❏ Exposure to sustainable

❏ Legal issues and regulations❏ Lowering production costs


agricultural practices❏ Business start up and

management❏ Networking with other farmers❏ Marketing ❏ Quality of life issues

❏ Profit and loss projections ❏ Land Access options❏ Access to lending and capital❏ Production Skills❏ Enterprise development

Other (please list) __________________________________________________

9. Please indicate your highest level of education:

❏ Some high school ❏ High school diploma ❏ Some college ❏ Bachelor’s degree

❏ Graduate /Professional Degree ❏ Technical school degree❏ School of Life degree

10. Please describe your prior farming experience. Please include any formal agricultural training, any agricultural jobs, apprenticeships, or workshops attended, or other agricultural experience you have had. Name any farms or gardens where you have worked. If you have no farming experience, please describe any experience you have related to gardening or raising animals.

11. Briefly describe any non-ag experience or formal training that you believe will apply to starting and running a farm business (ie; management, accounting, supervising employees, market managing, chef, carpentry, physical labor, etc).

12. What do you see as your biggest obstacle in starting your own farm operation?


13. What farming enterprise(s) are you considering? Check all that apply:

❏ Agritourism❏ Cattle (meat)❏ Dairy ❏ Education❏ Flowers❏ Fruits❏ Forest products

❏ Goats❏ Grains❏ Hogs ❏ Honey❏ Medicinal herbs❏ Mushrooms

❏ Poultry (eggs)❏ Poultry (meat)❏ Sheep (meat)❏ Sheep (fiber)❏ Therapeutic farm❏ Vegetables

Other (please list) ____________________________________________________

14. After completing the Farm Beginnings© program, when do you hope to be farming?

⃞ Already farming ⃞ Within 1 year ⃞ 2-3 years ⃞ 4-5 years ⃞ More than 5 years

15. In your own words what do you imagine will be different in your life after a year of Farm Beginnings®?

16. Please share any questions, concerns or comments you have about the Farm Beginnings® program.


17. Please list one personal and one professional reference. (Name, phone, and email only.)

Partner Applicant Contact Information:

Name(s): ______________________________________________________________Farm Name (if applicable): ________________________________________________________Address:__________________________________________________City:_______________________________________ State: ________ Zip_______County: ______________Email Address: _________________Phone: (in order of preference)(1st choice) __________________________________Home/Work/Cell (circle one)(2nd choice) _________________________________Home/Work/Cell (circle one)May we call you at work? ▢ Yes ▢ No

How did you hear about Farm Beginnings®?

▢ Email▢ Facebook▢ Website▢ Print Ad

▢ Conference/event▢ Word of mouth▢ Poster▢ Other: _______________________________


▢ Radio

Please list an emergency contact person & their phone number: __________________________________________________________________Do you have any allergies or other medical conditions that are important for us to know about?_____________________________________________________________

Partner’s Name: _____________________________________________________________________

(If you need more space than provided, please attach additional sheets.)

Check all that apply to you:❏ Emerging Farmer ❏ In-training Farmer❏ Start-up Farmer❏ Seasoned Farmer❏ Currently farming trying to expand my farm enterprise❏ Community gardener/urban farmer ❏ Interested in working in agriculture but not as a farm owner.

1. Do you currently own land where you will be/are farming? ▢ Yes ▢ No

2. Do you currently have access to land where you will be/are farming, includes leased land, family/friend’s land, or other arrangement? ▢ Yes

▢ No

3. Are you actively farming now? (For the purposes of this application, “farming” can include starting a farm, transitioning an existing farm from conventional to sustainable and/or working as a manager, employee or intern on someone else’s farm.) ▢ Yes ▢ No

4. Indicate which best describes your intended farming involvement in 5-10 years. Check all that apply:

❏ Full-time farming only❏ Part-time (with off farm work)

❏ Farm manager ❏ Farmland owner


❏ Full time (with off farm work)❏ Farm worker/Apprentice

❏ Other: __________________________

5. How will this agricultural training fit into your future life plans?

6. Why are you interested in Farm Beginnings®? Explain your passion and capacity for farming. How did you come to this dream? How long have you been interested in farming?

7. What kind of knowledge and skills do you hope to achieve by attending Farm Beginnings®?


8. Indicate the areas you are specifically interested in working on during the Farm Beginnings® training. Check all that apply:

❏ Financial planning❏ Exposure to sustainable

agricultural practices❏ Business start up and

management❏ Networking with other farmers❏ Marketing ❏ Quality of life issues

❏ Legal issues and regulations❏ Lowering production costs❏ Profit and loss projections ❏ Land Access options❏ Access to lending and capital❏ Production Skills❏ Enterprise development

Other (please list) __________________________________________________

9. Please indicate your highest level of education:

❏ Some high school ❏ High school diploma ❏ Some college ❏ Bachelor’s degree

❏ Graduate /Professional Degree ❏ Technical school degree❏ School of Life degree

10. Please describe your prior farming experience. Please include any formal agricultural training, any agricultural jobs, apprenticeships, or workshops attended, or other agricultural experience you have had. Name any farms or gardens where you have worked. If you have no farming experience, please describe any experience you have related to gardening or raising animals.

11. Briefly describe any non-ag experience or formal training that you believe will apply to starting and running a farm business (ie; management, accounting, supervising employees, market managing, chef, carpentry, physical labor, etc).


12. What do you see as your biggest obstacle in starting your own farm operation?

13. What farming enterprise(s) are you considering? Check all that apply:

❏ Agritourism❏ Cattle (meat)❏ Dairy ❏ Education❏ Flowers❏ Fruits❏ Forest products

❏ Goats❏ Grains❏ Hogs ❏ Honey❏ Medicinal herbs❏ Mushrooms

❏ Poultry (eggs)❏ Poultry (meat)❏ Sheep (meat)❏ Sheep (fiber)❏ Therapeutic farm❏ Vegetables

Other (please list) ____________________________________________________

14. After completing the Farm Beginnings® program, when do you hope to be farming?

Already farming⃞ Within 1 year⃞ 2-3 years⃞ 4-5 years⃞ More than 5 years⃞

15. In your own words what do you imagine will be different in your life after a year of Farm Beginnings®?


16. Please share any questions, concerns or comments you have about the Farm Beginnings® program.

17. Please list one personal and one professional reference. (Name, phone, and email only.)

2017-2018 Scholarship Application Guidelines

Organic Growers School aims to create affordable, broadly accessible programs, while at the same time, providing fair wages to our farmer instructors and dedicated staff. Financial Aid for Farm Beginnings is limited and priority is given to those with the least financial resources and strongest intentions towards raising funds through their own networks. Please consider your needs and resources carefully. We encourage you to consider a Payment Plan as your first option towards financial support. If requesting funding from OGS is necessary, we ask you to consider what would be a stretch, but not a strain, for you to invest in your education and professional development.

The guidelines that will be used to assess applicants are as follows:

● Financial need● Passion and capacity for farming● Ability and willingness to give back to program● Understanding of the value of this farmer training education


2017-2018 Scholarship Application (optional)

Fill out this form and return by September 1st, 2017:

Name(s): ____________________________________________________________

Farm Name (if applicable): ___________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________

Email/ phone: ___________________________________________________________

Valuing Education

University systems are often heavily funded and subsidized institutions with vast infrastructure and highly paid faculty and staff. As a grassroots non-profit we are able to see and fill an educational need not currently offered through institutional education. While we run a lean organization, we do rely on income from our students to make these programs happen. Please consider this farmer training education as invaluable as you would a university or college education. Learning to thrive in a land-based life takes courage and dedication as well as support and training. Your contribution to what you’re getting helps us continue to support aspiring and emerging farmers.

1. Did you attend university or college? When? Where?

2. Do you currently owe on college loans? ▢ Yes ▢ Noa. If yes, how much is owed?

3. How did you pay for college? Check all that apply:

❏ Scholarships❏ Loans

❏ Parents/Family❏ Self

Other (please explain): _______________________________________________________

4. Do you have significant savings, a family fund, or do you have family/friends willing to support you in your education endeavors?

5. Describe your current support system that allows you to explore a land-based life:


6. Do you see farmer training as crucial to your success as a farmer?

7. Are you willing to ask your family and community circles for financial support? If so, who can you imagine asking in your community?

8. Are you willing to do a work trade for part of your tuition? This would entail coming early to classes or staying late to help with room set-up and clean-up, being available during lunch breaks to assist as needed, data entry for events as needed, etc. (Only 2 work-trade spots available) ▢ Yes ▢ No

9. Are you willing to do personal fundraising through online media or community events? You can also check out our “Personal Fundraising” tips on our Tuition & Scholarships page: ▢ Yes ▢ No

10.How much do you feel you’d be able to pay? ________________

10. What is the dollar amount you are are requesting in scholarship? _______________

Please include a statement of need with your application, limited to 1.5 pages. Keep in mind only partial scholarships are given. Your statement should address:

a. Financial need: While we will look at your tax statement, please indicate personally why you need financial support


http://www.organicgrowersschool.org/tuition-and-scholarships

b. Your passion and capacity for farming: This is also included in our main application, but please be as specific as possible.

c. Your ability and willingness to give back to program: In the future, by hosting farm visits, teaching classes or workshops, or volunteering at OGS events.

Please include:

1. A copy of your last 2 years in tax returns: Year 2016 and 2017. This information will only be reviewed by the scholarship committee and will be kept confidential.

Application Checklist:

Be sure to review all application requirements before submitting:● Application must be received by September 1st, 2017. Please, account for

mailing time.● Early Bird Discount: $100 course fee discount for applications received by

August 1st.● Send completed application via mail to:

Farm BeginningsOrganic Growers School, PO Box 17804, Asheville, NC 28816OR scan and email to mailto:[email protected]


Farmer Programs Associate, 06/13/17,

Is this still true? [email protected]

Nicole Delcogliano, 06/13/17,

yes

mailto:[email protected]

● Please review the checklist below to be sure all required parts are submitted at once. Only completed applications will be reviewed.

● You will be notified regarding course acceptance or denial via email once we have reviewed all applications by September 15th.

● We may contact you by phone for any follow-up questions regarding your application.

● Scholarship awards will be sent via email by September 15th.● Correspondence initially will be sent to “primary applicant” only

If you have any questions contact: [email protected] or 828-284-7715

Does your application packet include... YES NO

Farm Beginnings Primary Applicant

Farm Beginnings Partner Applicant (optional)

Growing the Next Generation Worksheet

Scholarship Application (optional)

Copies of 2015 and 2016 tax returns for each applicant if not filed jointly. (Only required if you’re applying for a scholarship)

2 references for each applicant



we included it last year with application pdf. It was a part of the long document. We can mention it separately at top.


I can't find any mention of this in here before this point. Should we link to it above? [email protected]


I do like having a primary and partner designation. How did we decide to address this in the online form ? I know we need to have this possibility


Because it's going to be hard to identify primary applicant on the online form, we might want this to not be the case. Let me know if you want me to have them indicate a primary and secondary applicant on the online form (though I don't really see why that'd be necessary). [email protected]

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