About this program
The Delaware Beginning Farmer Program is for new and beginner farmers working in small-scale vegetable and/or fruit production. Through hands-on training, demonstrations, workshops, field trips and farm tours, as well as self-study, growers will spend an entire season learning and growing with Delaware Cooperative Extension, and other invited agriculture industry professionals.
Although not limited to the following topics, this training will explore the fundamentals of soil fertility and health, basic crop production, integrated pest management, food safety, and business planning and development. This training will also provide an excellent networking opportunity.
Sessions are held at the New Castle County Extension Office on the University of Delaware campus, 461 Wyoming Road, Newark, unless otherwise indicated.
Register now: https://www.pcsreg.com/beginning-farmer. Sessions are covered by one affordable registration fee of $75. Sessions are held at the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension office, 461 Wyoming Road, Newark, unless otherwise noted.
2020 DELAWARE BEGINNING FARMER PROGRAM DATES AND TOPICS
In partnership with Northeast Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (SARE) and Future Harvest, Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (CASA).
- Wednesday, January 22, 6-8 pm, Course Orientation
- Wednesday, January 29, 6-8 pm, Developing a Small Farm, Business Planning
- Wednesday, February 19, 6-8 pm, Soil Health
- Saturday, February 22, 9-11 am, Hands-on Planting and Setting Up an Indoor Seed Starter Unit at Fischer Greenhouse
- Wednesday, March 18, 6-8 pm, Variety Selection
- Saturday, March 21, 9-11 am, Season Extension at Historic Penn Farm
- Wednesday, April 15, 6-8 pm, Integrated Pest Management
- Saturday, April 18, 9-11 am, Plant Diagnostics, Irrigation at Coverdale Farm
- Wednesday, May 27, 6-8 pm, Weed Management
- Saturday, May 30, 9-11 am, additional topics tbd at Hundred Acre Farm
There will be an optional session to assist program participants in better understanding the online learning technology and tools we will use during the training program on Wednesday, February 5, either 12-1 pm or 6-7 pm.