The NC Farm School program offers eight business-planning seminars taught by extension specialists and experienced agents. These sessions give students the tools to match a crop or animal operation to their current goals, land resources, and marketing opportunities. The school is easy to fit into a busy schedule by providing evening classes every other week from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. that focus on different areas of agricultural business. Classes cover practical steps in goal setting, resource assessment, financial management, and effective marketing strategies. The goal of NC Farm School is to allow a pathway of success for farmers to generate successful businesses.
The program also includes field trips to working farms, many of which completed our program and operate successful farms. Participants learn economically sustainable farming methods in a range of production systems, including fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, poultry, animal husbandry, and agritourism.
One of the features of the NC Farm School is getting one on one time with NC State University specialist trained in agricultural business, marketing, production system evaluation, and business startup. These consultations are invaluable to help saving student’s time and money and getting their farm business up and running. In addition, students will meet a local agent who can help them follow through with their plans, connect them to local resources, and ensure they have a sound production system in place.
Registration for the 2020 NC Farm Schools is now open. Schools will be held in Roxboro, NC; Concord, NC; and Taylorsville, NC.