Intro to Crop Production Course

Date:

Tuesday, April 17, 2018 to Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Time: 

6:00pm – 9:00pm

Location:

Ogonowski Farms  126 Jones Ave, Dracut, MA 01826

Cost:

$600, with $80-$400 scholarships available based on need

Would you like to be a part of sustainable agriculture but have never worked on a farm? Are you interested in owning your own sustainable farm business but need to learn technical skills to get started?

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project introduces a new course on sustainable crop production for beginners.

The course will teach you everything need to know to get started in sustainable commercial vegetable production, with no experience necessary! This is a pilot production for aspiring sustainable farmers who want to implement innovative conservation practices from day one of their farming careers. Industry experts will present hands-on classes in the evening at our farm in Dracut with special emphasis on emerging and innovative sustainable practices. You will enjoy presentations from conservation leaders in the agricultural industry and from state and federal agencies. This course will cover all aspects of commercial vegetable production including:

• Propagation and the Greenhouse Environment
• Soil Preparation for Field-based Crop Production
• Drip Irrigation Systems and Conservation Best-practices
• Low-impact Weed Control Strategies
• Nutrient Management: A Sustainable Approach
• Pest Prevention and Control Techniques
• Harvest and Post-Harvest Best-practices
• Using and Maintaining Farm Tools
• Sustainable Whole-farm Planning

Completion of this course satisfies prerequisites for entry into our Farm Business Planning Course, during which you will develop a complete business plan for your farm before moving onto our incubator and launching your own business!

Course Details:
This course meets for 10 Tuesdays from 6-9pm from April 17 through Sept 25, 2018 at the New Entry farm at 100 Jones Ave and 300 Jones Ave in Dracut, MA. The course fee is $600 which can be paid in up to 3 installments of $200. If the cost is a barrier for you, scholarships of $80-$400 are available depending on your financial need. Register at the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project at https://www.tfaforms.com/4660923. For more information contact New Entry Sustainable Farming Project at 978-654-6745.
This course is made possible by a Conservation Innovation Grant provided by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, which is an equal opportunity provider and employer