CT Farmers

Register Today For “Bringing the Farm to the School” Training

PLOYT producer training workshop flyer

An organized partnership between Put Local on Your Tray, Connecticut Department of Agriculture, UConn Extension, and Connecticut Farm To School Collaborative is excited to offer “Bringing the Farm to the School” a producer training for CT Farmers to navigate the opportunities and challenges of selling into public K-12 schools!

Learn more HERE!

Did you know that Districts across the state are poised to receive federal dollars that can only be spent specifically on fresh and minimally processed local product! This creates an amazing opportunity for farmers across the state to get started in farm to school and scale up to meet this opportunity.

This free, day-long workshop will bring together farmers and public-school food service directors to learn, connect and share best practices, success stories and frustrations.

Register HERE

Who is this for?

  • Fruit, vegetable, meat and added value dairy producers
  • Farm businesses of all sizes and growing practices
  • Growers looking to expand their market
  • producers who think the farm to school market is not for them because there are too many barriers.

The barriers are not as high as you may think! Here is the registration link again!

For service providers and supports interested in participating please email shannon.raider@uconn.edu.

Farm Succession School 2023

Most farmers want their land to stay in agriculture, but very few have plans in place that articulate how the land, equipment, business, and other assets will be divided among the next generation or unrelated operator. Succession planning can present challenges, and each situation is unique. Land For Good has helped hundreds of farmers find innovative solutions that keep their farms in farming, whether they have an identified successor or not.

The Farm Succession School hosted by Land For Good, in partnership with Connecticut Department of Agriculture and UConn Extension, is a three-session winter course with curriculum designed to help senior farmers think through the many aspects of succession planning, clarify vision and goals, get next steps on paper, and review necessary documents to provide for a smooth transition. Sessions include ample time to share and learn from other farmers facing similar questions. Farmers do not need to have an identified successor to participate in this course. The Farm Succession School will take place at the Tolland County Agricultural Center, 24 Hyde Avenue, Route 30, Vernon, meeting January 24, February 28, and March 28. Learn more and register.

Additional support opportunities are available. A free live webinar series for transitioning farmers and junior generation farmers will offer the basics of succession planning, like how to get started, where to find advisors and resources, ask questions, and get help. All generations, including family and non-family members, who may play a role in the farm’s future are encouraged to attend. This online four-part series meets weekly, beginning January 18. Learn more and register.

Land For Good also offers one-on-one advising to help farmers start, continue, or complete their farm succession and address the financial, legal, and business challenges involved in transferring a farm to a next generation family member or unrelated successor. Costs vary depending on farmer needs and available funding, with always a sliding scale option. Learn more or call 603-357-1600 to initiate a no-cost informational session.

“This work is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Grant, grant no.: 2021-70035-3555, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.”

 

Learn More

Learn How to Fix Your Small Engines on the Farm!

Hey Farmers!
 
Remember the Solid Ground Ag-Mechanics series?  
 
Well the next one coming up is…
 

Small Engine Maintenance and Repairs; 2-Stroke

Saturday Jan. 7th, 9AM-3PM
Nonnewaug Agri-Science High School, Woodbury  Agri-Science High School, CT

Take apart a small engine that you find yourself using on the farm on a regular basis, and then learn how to put it back together again, all the while finding out how it works and how to address common problems.

flyer with text and a wrench