1. NC Farm School Amy-Lynn Albertson, Davidson County Cooperative Extension, Horticulture Agent Gary Bullen, NCSU Agriculture Resource Economics Extension Associate Bevin Fink, Owner/Operator Third Creek Cottage Gardens and 2012 Piedmont Farm School Graduate 1

2. NC Farm Schools Why NC Farm School? Changes in Agriculture and Consumer Goals of NC Farm School Increase the number of successful farmers Increase the production of locally grown products within N.C. Create a network of farmers who will cultivate viable markets for their products NCSU’s Department of Agriculture and Resource Economic Goal: Improve/Increase Business Management Training for NC Farmers 2

3. NC Farm Schools  Two Levels of Programs 1.NC Farm Schools  Multi-county Level  Seven month educational & outreach program  Based on the “Piedmont Farm School” 2.NC Executive Farm Management Program  Multi-state Level  Three to Five Days (& via Distance Education??) 3

4. Piedmont Farm School  Target beginning and transitioning farmers  What is your interest in Farm School? 4

5. Do You Currently Own or Have Access to Land 5

6. How would you characterize your vision of your farm 6

7. What is your main interest in Farm School? 7

8. Piedmont Farm School  What makes the Farm School unique? – Seven month business seminars designed to give farm participants the tools to create viable business plans – Include seven farm field trips led by successful and experienced farmers and agricultural professionals – The farm visits are planned to reinforce the business sessions, and business sessions incorporate the lessons learned from farm visits. 8

9. PIEDMONT FARM SCHOOL The Piedmont Farm School is an educational and outreach program that trains beginning and transitioning farmers with a strong commitment to operate successful small-scale, sustainable farms. Sustainability: Not going broke paying your bills, feeding your family and having a little extra left over

10. Piedmont Farm School  Business Planning Curriculum  Curriculum: Whole Farm planning Marketing Fundamentals Record Keeping Taxes Insurance & Liability Avoidance Succession Planning  Homework  Web based AgPlan* program to assist students develop a Business Plan 2012: 32 Students, 80% finished the course with a written business plan outline  Workbooks  Building a Sustainable Business A Guide to Developing a Business Plan for Farms & Rural Businesses* And other Tools needed to develop a viable Business Plan 10

11. Piedmont Farm School Business Classes Gary Bullen discussing the difference between dreams and goals Amy Lynn Albertson relating field tours with business planning Grower/Producer Lee Menius speaks on marketingPlanning team prior to check in 11

12. Piedmont Farm School  Field Trips  Seven Field Trips  Different Agricultural Focus/Trip Small Fruit & Vegetable Operation Pasture Pork & Beef Operation Mushrooms, Hops, Specialty Crops  Led by Experienced Farmers & Extension Professionals Seven County Agents were assigned a specific month to organize a Field Trip Farmers had to share their failures and successes and specifically whether they were profitable or not 12

13. Piedmont Farm School Field Trips Wild Turkey FarmsBuffalo Creek Creamery HRNurseryHuffman’s Peaches 13

14. Piedmont Farm School  2014 School  39 Students with a waiting list for 2015  Extension Team is developing a training manual so the program can be replicated  Cost Sharing/Funding Students  Individual Students = $200  Couples = $250 County Farm Bureau funded field days in their county Carolina Farm Stewardship provided funds 14

16. Piedmont Farm Schools Testimonials 30% of the 2013 Graduates said they made more money than in 2012 as a result of the Piedmont Farm School “This is the greatest Extension program I have ever participated in.” “There has never been an Extension program this good in all of my years of attending meetings.” “This program helped me realize my dream of keeping the family farm.” “ I would recommend this program to anyone” “All that we have learned and experienced has, in our estimation, saved us about two years of hit and miss and is priceless.” “Now, after taking the farm school course, I finally feel capable of making reasonable decisions pertaining to planning” 16

17. Piedmont Farm Schools Awards Extension Team that Developed the Program: Amy-Lynn Albertson Darrell Blackwelder Danelle Cutting Stephen Greer Michael Roberts Amanda Taylor Mark Tucker Jamie Warner Awards Won *Winner North Carolina Association of County Agricultural Agents Search for Excellence in Young, Beginning, or Small Farmers/Ranchers 2013 **Winner Southern Region of the National Association of the County Agricultural Agents Search for Excellence in Young, Beginning, or Small Farmers/Ranchers 2013 ***National Finalist National Association of County Agricultural Agents Search for Excellence in Young, Beginning, or Small Farmers/Ranchers 2013 E a Take away : This is a Proven Program! 17

18. NC Farm Schools Proposal  The NC Farm School will build on success of Piedmont Farm School  NC Farm School is piloting three new farm schools  Grow Farm School to 4-6 per year  Make program self sufficient within 5 years  Charge fee of $250 for individual  $300 for couple  Farm School offered in cluster of 4-6 counties  Considering 1-2 special workshops 18

19. CURRENT NC FARM SCHOOLS Foothills: Caldwell, Catawba, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln Piedmont: Davidson, Davie, Forsyth, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin Sandhills: Hoke, Lee, Montgomery, Moore, Scotland, Richmond

20. Future NC Farm Schools? 20 Upper Mountain: Ashe, Allegheny, Caldwell, Watauga, Wilkes Southern Piedmont: Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly, Union Triangle: Durham, Franklin, Granville, Orange, Vance, Warren, Wake North East: Bertie, Chowan, Camden, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, Perquimans Southeast: Duplin, Jones, Lenoir, Pender, Onslow

21. NC Farm Schools Proposal  NC Farm School Target Audiences  Limit Class to 30 participants  Small & Medium Size Farmers  Beginning Farmers  Commodity Specific Farmers  CSA/Local Agriculture  Prior Military Service  Training Teams  Two Member Teams  One Focuses on Business Management  One Focuses on Agriculture & Coordinates Other County Agent Activities 21

22. NC Farm Schools Proposal  NC Farm School Expected Outcomes  75-100 farmers trained and certified  Develop an information centered network that will help sustain and nurture farm school graduates  79% Farm School participants complete course  A comprehensive farm business curriculum will be developed.  Will be available for subsequent training for new educators  Create local inventories of resources, successful farm businesses and new opportunities  Develop business case studies to capture successes of the program 22

23. The Farm School Experience Third Creek Cottage Gardens – Fink Family, Cleveland NC 23

24. Success Story 24 thirdcreekcottagegardens.wordpress.com

25. Future for NC Farm School?  Discussion/Questions? 25