Beginning Farming 101 - Online Farm Planning Course

You can utilize the lessons on this website freely. But if you like to learn alongside other students, have the opportunity to discuss what you're learning, and ask questions of experienced educators, you might enjoy and feel more confident about your planning by taking our online course.

The course is typically 9 weeks long (though it varies depending on who is teaching it). It covers all the topics in the Learning section of this website, but adds activities to deepen your learning. You might evaluate another farmer's marketing plan or analyze a particular property to determine appropriate agricultural uses. You might also have access to live online seminars on topics like marketing or regulations. You will certainly "meet" other new farmers and share ideas, plans and helpful resources with each other.

Once a week, the instructors will introduce a new lesson. When you log into the course you'll see materials to read and usually an assignment or question to answer. You can complete the work anytime during the week. If a live seminar is scheduled, you'll be given a link to click at a particular time and date (typically a weekday evening) - if you cannot make it, a recording of the seminar will be posted for you to review later.

Cost for the course is $200. You do not need any particular operating system or software, but you should have a familiarity and comfort level with the functions of your computer. A basic dial-up connection should suffice, but your experience will be more enjoyable with a DSL or Cable modem.

The next online course will begin Wed. March 19, 2008 and end Wed May 21st. To register, please contact Kristen at 315-788-8450 and ask to register for the On-Line New Farmer Training.