STARTING A HOBBY FARM HOW TO

The course was first offered in Spring 2017.īusiness.nj.gov - Business resources for planning, starting, operating, and growing a business from the State of New Jersey.

Topics discussed include crop production systems, management practices, basic plant science, disease identification, soil heath, controlled environment/greenhouse production, and more. RU Ready to Farm: Specialty Crops - This course is designed for beginning farmers interested in vegetable production.The course was first offered in Fall 2016. Topics covered include traditional and organic farming, land opportunities, agricultural organizations, a business planning and record keeping overview, crop selection, regulations, and training opportunities. RU Ready to Farm - Module One: The Basics of Getting Started - This course covers the basics of getting started in farming.For more information on these courses, see the links below and contact RCE Middlesex County Agricultural Agent, Bill Hlubik. RU Ready to Farm - Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE) has held several 'RU Ready to Farm' courses for new farmers. This guide is designed to help you think about the benefits and challenges of owning a farm before you begin, and it introduces topics such as the skills you will need, resources for investing in your farm, making a farm business plan, and marketing your products.

STARTING A HOBBY FARM HOW TO

How to Begin Your Small Farm Dream - This plain language guide was developed by the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project (MA) for people who want to start a small farm business. For information on course offerings in New Jersey, contact NOFA-NJ. For background information on the course or to obtain the self-study workbook, visit the New England Small Farm Institute website. During the course, participants discuss current opportunities in small scale agriculture, explore objectives, assess personal and financial resources, conduct preliminary market research, and develop an action plan for pursuing their interests in food and farming. The course/workbook can help you identify and assess your values, goals, and ideas for a prospective new farm operation. Farm Commons - Legal resources by topic (workers, land, sales, value-added, business, insurance)Įxploring the Small Farm Dream - 'Exploring the Small Farm Dream: Is Starting an Agricultural Business Right for You?' is a short course and a decision-making workbook that can help you decide if starting a new farm business is right for you.Beginning Farmers (Amercian Farmland Trust) - New farmer resources by topic.New Farmers (USDA) - New farmer resources by topic.Greenhorns - Guidebooks for beginning farmers, list of resources by topic, and other media and events.RU Beginning Farmer Toolshed (Rutgers) - Educational videos (farm and business management) and resources.

Beginning Farmers (Michigan State) - New farmer resources, current news, and other information by topic.

Start Farming (Penn State) - New farmer resources by topic.

National Young Farmers Coalition - New farmer resources by topic, policy reports.

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project - New farmer resources by topic.

Vermont New Farmer Project - Resource Guide, Webinars, Links to additional resources by topic.

New England Small Farm Institute - New farmer Q&A, New farmer resources by topic.

Cornell Small Farms Program - Online courses, planning your farm tutorials, worksheets, and resources.

A selection of these comprehensive guides and resources, which may have been produced by other states but are adaptable for NJ, includes the following: Beginning Farmer Resource Guides and Websites - Several organizations have created resource guides and wesbites for people looking to get started in farming.

Starting a hobby farm