New Farmer Training
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In 2008 we had an idea, an inspiration, an epiphany, call it what you will. We live in this very little
corner of this very big world. How can we make an impact on it? We are a small farm, just 5 acres, an
oversized garden in some opinions. But we make a happy, healthy living here in Sparks Maryland. We have
always had a handful of people work for us through the summer. In 2008, one of those workers said, “ We
should be paying you to work here”.
At the same time, North County Preservation Inc. published the document “Rural Baltimore County Agriculture Profitability Study and Action Plan”. In reading that document we came to the conclusion that there just weren’t enough farmers in Baltimore County. With the help of North County Preservation, Inc, the New Farmer Trainee Program was launched. |
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The program provides new or beginning farmers with a combination of hands-on experience
and classroom knowledge over a one-year period with the goal of giving them the skills they need to
start their own farm operation.
In 2009, Calvert’s Gift Farm acted as a mentor for 5 individuals. Three will be transitioning in to farming in 2010. Another trainee is working for in a full time job to assist in Baltimore City farming projects. In 2010, the program will be expanded to include the grape growing industry. |
| In 2009, Calvert's Gift Farm acted as a mentor for 5 individuals. In 2012, the program is expanding to
include two additional mentor farms. Fifteen new farmers will begin training and producing food in our area.
As part of the training program, workshops will be led by University of Maryland faculty and mentoring farmers and will include
marketing, small farm business management, high tunnel production, soil fertility and transplant production. These workshops are open to the public.
For more information on the workshops please contact Dave Martin at dmartin@umd.edu. For more information on the New Farmer Training Program, please contact Cathy Tipper at crtipper@aol.com. |
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