Starting a Small Farm: 6 of 10: Pests, weeds, and diseases

This class series is designed for people who are considering or in the beginning stages of starting a small farm as a business.

In this class series, we’ll explore what it takes to be successful on a small-scale farm. Each session covers topics that apply to a variety of agricultural operations, including fruit and vegetable production.

The topics featured in this workshop series have proven to be essential components for ensuring farm profitability. This program is a collaborative effort between University of Maryland Extension and Future Harvest CASA’s Beginner Farmer Training Program (BFTP) and Foodshed Field School. Classes will be taught by Extension educators and successful farmers in the region, including graduates of the BFTP.

By actively engaging in this program, participants will

• Understand each of the topics covered at a beginner’s level, so they will be prepared to take more advanced trainings in future.

• Decide what they need to learn more about next to launch their farm business.

When:

Class will meet every Tuesday evening from 6:30 to 9:00 pm, for ten weeks, January 28 through March 31. In case of inclement weather, a snow-date make-up class is scheduled for April 7. Please arrive with time to park, because class will start at 6:30 pm sharp.

Where:

Class will be held in Baltimore, MD, at Pleasant Hope Baptist Church. Directions and parking instructions will be provided after registration.

Registration:

You can attend individual classes for $10 each, or you can attend the entire 10-part series for a registration fee of $65. Click here to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/starting-a-small-intensive-commercial-farm-for-local-markets-tickets-80572744247

If the registration fee is a financial hardship, please contact Neith Little to inquire about scholarships. E-mail: nglittle@umd.edu Call: 410-856-1850

Questions?

Contact Neith Little, nglittle@umd.edu or 410-856-1850 x123

The University of Maryland Extension is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers Equal Access Programs. Please call the office in advance at 410-856-1850 ext. 123 if you need assistance.

Tentative class schedule:

• Jan 28: Course orientation and farmer panel
• Feb 4: Financial management systems of highly successful farmers
• Feb 11: Soils 101 and interpreting soil test results
• Feb 18: Transplant production
• Feb 25: Crop planning, rotations, and cover crops
• Mar 3: Pests, weeds, and diseases
• Mar 10: Integrating livestock into a diversified farm: small flocks and beekeeping
• Mar 17: Marketing: How to sell what you grow
• Mar 24: Food safety: protect your customers' health
• Mar 31: Assessing farmland and beginning farmer panel
• Apr 7: Snow date make-up class, if needed

Acknowledgements:

This course is based on work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under grant number # is: 2019-49400-30455

Cover photo (c) UMD-AGNR, taken by Edwin Remsberg