Announcing the RAFFL New Farmer Summer Workshop Series

June

Food Safety Workshops with Londa Nwadike of UVM Extension, June 11, RAFFL office, Rutland

Food Safety Regulations for Food Producers and Processors including Canned Foods 10-12, $10/participant

Introduction to HACCP, 1-4, $15/participant

Register by June 9, click here for details

July

Integrated Pest Management with Ann Hazelrigg of UVM Extension, date TBA, Merck Forest and Farmland Center, Rupert, VT

Hone your plant disease and insect ID skills and learn how to promote beneficial bugs and address pest and disease issues for fruits and vegetables, more details to come! $10/participant

August

Increase Your Sales with nationally-recognized marketing expert Bruce Baker, 10 am August 31, RAFFL office & Depot Park, Rutland

Learn how to maximize your farmers market and farmstand sales. Learn what works and what doesn’t from one of the best! Bruce will discuss the importance of strategic booth design and how to attract more customers into your booth or farmstand through your display and merchandising. After the classroom session we’ll take a tour of the Rutland Farmers Market to evaluate what we’ve just learned.

Producers will have an opportunity to have Bruce give an analysis of their booth with suggestions for improvement in a 15 minute session. These slots are limited and fill up fast so sign up today to ensure you’re spot. Booths can set up at the market in Depot Park, farmstand and winter market growers can bring photos or create a mock-display indoors in the RAFFL conference room. $15 registration for the classroom and farmers market session, there is an additional $15 charge for the one-on-one display evaluation. Sign-up today!

Click here to register for this workshop.

September

Movement for a Healthy Farming Body, with farmers/yoga instructors Stephanie Jones, Galen Miller and farmer/massage therapist Lindsay Arbuckle, 6 pm 9/23, Rutland Public Library Fox Room, Rutland

Learn techniques and simple movements that can help increase your comfort and flexibility in everyday tasks. Learn how to relax your body after a long day of hard work and to let go of tension and stress. Practice self-massage and movements to address acute issues common to farmers.  This workshop is for any farmer or aspiring farmer who wants to keep their body healthy and moving ! More details to come! $10/participant

October

Land Use Planning, details to be announced!

Extensive Poultry Workshop June 11 in Walpole, NH

Thinking of getting in to layers or broilers? This day-long workshop at Walpole Valley Farms in Walpole, NH is a bit of a haul from the Rutland Area but may well be worth your while!

This is a great opportunity to learn about poultry nutrition, pasture management for broilers and layers, and how to harvest your birds.

Don’t miss out!

Opening Your Farm to the Public

Registration Deadline is Today for “Selling Meat from Your Farm” Workshop in Rutland

Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District (RNRCD) is hosting:

Selling Meat From Your Farm: Understanding the Regulations

Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at the US Forest Service (conference room) at 231 North Main Street in Rutland from 9:00 a.m. to Noon.

Vermont leads the nation in direct sales of local and specialty foods production on a per capita basis. Selling value-added or processed foods can be very rewarding, but it also requires a great deal of planning and attention to the rules and regulations.

Want to take advantage of the increasing opportunities to sell meats locally and nationally? Come join the Rutland NRCD for a FREE workshop about producing, processing, and selling your farm raised meats. Randy Quenneville from the Vermont Department of Agriculture Meat Inspection Division will be the guest speaker.

 

*Information will be available for
NRCS, FSA, and District programs

Space is LIMITED so Please RSVP by TODAY, Friday, May 10, 2013

Rutland Natural Resources Conservation District
170 South Main St., Ste 4
Rutland, VT 05701
Nanci McGuire, District Manager
Phone: (802) 775-8034 ext. 17

Growing Places course Offered this Summer– UVM Extension New Farmer Project

Registration is now open for the Vermont New Farmer Project farm business class Growing Places.

This Summer:
Growing Places for aspiring and start-up farmers
Location: Vital Communities offices, White River Junction, VT
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 pm
Dates: June 24, July 8, July 22, & August 5
Fess: $100-$135
Registration Deadline: June 10; early discounts available for registrations by May 31.

This four session course introduces new and aspiring farmers to important topics, resources and services integral to getting their farm started off right.  Participants will learn about the cornerstones of farm business development—goal setting and decision making, accessing capital and financial management, exploring markets, and learning about the resources and services available to support beginning farmers.

The in-person classes are scheduled for Monday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., beginning June 24. The course fee is $100 if received by May 31, and then $135 until June 10. Course information andonline registration can be found at www.uvm.edu/newfarmer. Click on “Classes” then “Growing Places.” For questions and additional information, email newfarmer@uvm.edu.  Offered by the UVM Extension New Farmer Project in collaboration with Vital Communities and co-sponsored by the Women’s Ag Network.