Applications Sought for New Women Farmers Program

Applications for the Beginning Women Farmers program are available, according to a press release from the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture funded a Beginning Farmer Grant to teach women who have been farming for less than 10 years about the tools of whole farm planning.

The Beginning Farmer Program is also seeking farmer mentors to be one-on-one mentors for the program participants. Participants will gain knowledge of business and farm management and access to a network of women farmers sharing similar experiences in local agriculture, the press release stated.

Beginning Women Farmer programs were formed in Connecticut, New Hampshire, New York, Maine, Massachusetts and Vermont.

This year’s classes will begin in October. Participants must attend a total of 10 sessions: six will take place over the winter of 2011-12 and four farm tours will take place in the spring of 2012, the press release stated.

All sessions will take place on weekends and last approximately seven hours. The topics covered include holistic management, financial planning, marketing, leadership and communication, soil fertility and land planning.

For an application or to be a mentor, people may contact Connecticut Coordinator Deb Legge at 203-888-5146 or e-mail deb@ctnofa.org.