Beginning Farmer Classes
CAFF Beginning Farmer Classes focus on the practices of successful farmers who share their experiences and knowledge. The classes also incorporate learning activities with other local service providers. You can expect new knowledge and insights even if you’ve taken the course before. Recordings of the classes remain available to registrants through Oct. 31. To pay the $10 access fee, click the red button below. Questions on the classes can be addressed to Heather Friedrich, heatherf@uark.edu. An email or text reminder will be sent the day before the class.
Classes Online Via Zoom With Recordings Available
$10 each
Market Gardening 101: Lean Farm Infrastructure
01/18/24
6 – 8 PM
Choosing a farm site and designing essential infrastructure.
Market Gardening 101: Get Growing
01/23/24
6-8 PM
Top methods of crop planning, practices for building productive beds, and seed sources.
Special Topic: Transition to Organic
1/25/24
6-8 PM
Organic farming requirements, certification process, and costs. TOPP and the AR Organic Network.
Market Gardening 101: Farm Finances
1/30/24
6-8 PM
Determining farm business structure, obtaining credit, and lending options for success.
Market Gardening 101: Going to Market
2/1/24
6-8 PM
Finding your farms niche, building a brand, developing market avenues, on-farm sales, and marketing basics.
Market Gardening 101: Maintaining Momentum
2/6/24
6-8 PM
Holistic farm management for success. From cash flow to leadership skills. Includes self-care, sustainability & effective commnication.
Special Topic: Season Extension Techniques
2/8/24
6 -8 PM
Extending the growing season with high tunnels and winter farm management.
Special Topic: Market Success
2/13/24
6 – 8 PM
What are buyers looking for when purchasing produce? A discussion panel on the topic led by experts.
Special Topic: Value – Added Farm Products
2/15/24
6 – 8 PM
Developing value-added products from your farm harvest. Includes pricing and marketing.
Special Topic: Agritourism
2/20/24
6 – 8 PM
Starting an agritourism business on your farm. Includes safety measures, insurance, legal considerations, and marketing.
Market Gardening 101: Perfect Produce
2/22/24
6 – 8 PM
Developing fertile soil for healthy crops and higher yields. Utilizing cover crops and organic pest management.
Special Topic: Wholesale Markets
2/27/24
6 – 8 PM
Essentials of selling to wholesale markets including food safety, packaging, pricing, and payment processing.
Special Topic: CSA Spotlight
2/29/24
6 – 8 PM
Developing a farm CSA. Finding & retaining members. Crop planning, pick-up processes, and share size.