Grow Your FarmGrow Your Farm

A Farm Planning Course for A Farm Planning Course for Beginning FarmersBeginning Farmers

2011 Extension RME National Conference2011 Extension RME National ConferenceApril 12, 2011April 12, 2011

Dean Wilson, Dean Wilson, Agriculture & Rural Development SpecialistAgriculture & Rural Development Specialist

What are the goals of Grow What are the goals of Grow Your Farm?Your Farm?

• Create a mission• Set goals and determine values• Plan for profit• Explore new AG alternatives• Gain technical advice• Learn sustainable practices• Build networks

Grow Your Farm – Grow Your Farm – The Nuts and BoltsThe Nuts and Bolts

• Participants write a farm, (business), plan for their current or prospective farm

• Course meets one evening a week for 8 consecutive weeks

• Includes 2 Saturday field trips to area farms• The course costs $225 per farm with includes a manual

and reference materials• Each farm can have at least two representatives attend,

children are free.• Each session has one or more successful farmers sharing

their experiences.

What topics does What topics does GYF cover??GYF cover??

• Identifying Values and Goals• Assessing Farm Resources• Assessing Opportunities• Keeping Track of Finances• Marketing Farm Products• Understanding Legal Issues• Writing a Farm Plan

GYF StatisticsGYF Statistics

• Held 7 times in the greater St. Louis area

• 85 farms and over 170 people have attended

• Held in rural areas - Farmington and Warrenton (2)

• Held in suburban areas - Hillsboro (2)

• Held in urban areas - Maplewood (2)

Who should attend?Who should attend?

• Beginning Farmers who want to start an ag enterprise• Hobby farmers who want to develop their ag enterprises into a

small business• Part-time farmers who are considering entering full time farming• Individuals that are approaching retirement and would like to

supplement their income• Families that want to establish a rural lifestyle, but not necessarily

an ag business.• Traditional farmers who would like to add an enterprise or change

farming practices or consider ag alternatives• Farmers or perspective farmers who would like to explore ag

alternatives, whatever that means, as a part time business.

General Characteristics of GYF General Characteristics of GYF ParticipantsParticipants

• Optimistic about agriculture• Willing to think creatively• Very family oriented• Consider values to be nearly as important as

profit• Often very interested in sustainable, organic,

and/or natural production that protects the environment

GROW YOUR FARM AGENDAGROW YOUR FARM AGENDA

Session 1: Identifying Values & Creating Goals, Tuesday, January 18, 6:30 pmDebi Kelly, Project Manager, Missouri Alternatives CenterEric & Kathy Lober, Grass-fed beef, poultry, CSA

Session 2: Planning Your Farm, Tuesday, January 25, 6:30 pmDean Wilson, MU Ag & Rural Development SpecialistKaren Davis, Horticulture Regional Educator, former producer of specialty cut flowers to over 30 local florists

Session 3: Assessing Opportunities, Tuesday, February 1, 6:30 amMiranda Duschack, LU Small Farms SpecialistBrett Palmier, commercial vegetable grower

Session 4: Keeping Track of Finances, Tuesday, February 8th, 6:30 pmRon Mueller, MU Small Business and Development SpecialistStan Cook, Loan Officer, MO Department of Agriculture, learn about Mo Dept. of Ag loans for small farms, specialty crops

Session 5: Walking the Farm & Farm Tour, Saturday, February 12th, 9:30-3:30 pmModer Valley Nursery, Aquatic plants, hanging baskets & perennials Ivan Stoilov, Figs, geo-thermal greenhouse, heirloom tomatoes

Session 6: Marketing Your Farm Products, Tuesday, February 15th, 6:30 pmSarah Hale, FairShares CCSAPaul Krautmann, Organic vegetables, dry beansAndy Ayers, Restaurant owner, buys and markets produce

Session 7: Work Session, Tuesday, February 22th, 6:30 pmKaren Davis, Horticulture Regional EducatorMiranda Duschack, LU Small Farms SpecialistNathan Brandt, MU Horticulture Specialist

Session 8: Understanding Legal Issues,Tuesday, March 1st, 6:30Chris Clark, Urban Farmer Nathan Brandt, Horticulture SpecialistDoug Halbert, Bed and Breakfast, vineyard, winery

Session 9: Urban Farm Tour, Saturday, March 5th, 9:30-3:30New Roots, City Seeds and TBA

Session 10: Presenting Your Farm Plan, Tuesday, March 8th, 6:30 pm

GYF OutcomesGYF Outcomes

Jason– Laid off from the auto industry– Wanted to start a commercial vegetable operation

After GYF• Realized that his one-half acre lot could support

production• Teamed up with another GYF family to lease land• Starting a CSA in 2009• Organic producer of vegetables

GYF OutcomesGYF Outcomes

Brian and Melissa– Raise rabbits, chickens, eggs, dairy– No prior ag experience

After GYF• Met the local FSC Financial representative and

are expanding their operation by purchasing 160 acres.

• Working with other GYF participants to share equipment.

GYF OutcomesGYF Outcomes

Maude – Recently laid off from her job in public relations– Ag experience with her grandfather’s family farm– Very much undecided about what she would like

to pursue in agriculture

After GYF• Started Maude’s Market• St. Louis market for locally grown products

Chris- Wanted to establish an urban farm- Worked unsuccessfully to obtain land

After GYF• Found property to lease• Beginning to grow in 2011

GYF OutcomesGYF Outcomes

GYF OutComesGYF OutComes

• Jamie– Moved with her husband and family to 26

acres last year– Extremely interested in doing something “sustainable” and

organic on the acreage

– After GYF• Developed a plan to involve the entire family in

producing products for their own consumption• Will use the experiences to educate her kids in

being self sufficient and caring for the environment

Questions????