UI Extension workshop series aims to help aspiring small farmers
Courtesy photo The University of Idaho Extension is offering a three-day ‘Starting Your Sustainable Small Farm in Idaho workshop, with classes meeting Jan. 13, Feb. 3 and March 3 in Bonners Ferry.
MOSCOW — Helping a new generation of farmers take root is the goal of a University of Idaho Extension workshop series, “Starting Your Sustainable Small Farm in Idaho.”
The workshop series will begin with an introductory webinar Jan. 8 from 6-7 p.m. PST, three all-day in-class sessions, a wrap-up event and two farm tours.
The all-day sessions are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 13; Saturday, Feb. 3; and Saturday, March 3, from 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Pacific Time at several locations including Bonners Ferry, Caldwell, Cascade, Driggs, Moscow, Sandpoint, Kamiah and Weiser. The wrap-up event will be March 29. The farm tours will be scheduled locally with participants at each location.
“The workshop series will help those aspiring to operate small farms and ranches take a realistic look at their goals and resources.” said Iris Mayes, UI Extension Latah County small farms and horticulture educator in Moscow.
“The goal is that at each site we build this community,” she said. “That’s very different from just watching a webinar.”
Jan. 6 is the registration deadline for the workshop series. Students will learn about:
n Assessing goals and resources
n Evaluating crop and livestock options
n Completing a whole-farm plan
n Exploring farming and ranching systems
n Consulting with experienced farmers
The course fee is $115 for one registrant, $35 for additional adult registrations and $5 for additional youth registrants. Some partial scholarships are available.
More information and registration instructions are available online at www.cultivatingsuccess.org/syssf and from UI Extension faculty member Kate Painter in Bonners Ferry. She can be reached by phone at 208-267-3235 or via email at kpainter@uidaho.edu.