Have you been farming for three years and looking to grow your farm business, make connections and deepen your support systems? Our Journeyperson Program might be right up your alley! Nicole DelCogliano will be going live on our instagram account (@organicgrowersschool) to answer questions and discuss the details of this program. Tune in through Instagram, August 26th at 7pm. The info session will be saved to view later if you can’t make it!
Not sure if you are eligible for Journeyerson?
A year-long program
Individualized to meet you where you are
in your farm business journey
Starting a farm is a formidable challenge, but keeping a farm business going, growing and thriving is even harder! The Journeyperson Program is designed for farmers who have been independently farming for 3 or more years, and are serious about operating farm businesses in the Southern Appalachian region. This program will give you the space and time to work on your business while making connections that deepen your peer-to-peer support.
This 12-month program starts in November 2021 and ends in October 2022.
Qualifications
Eligible applicants have:
- A minimum of three years independently farming
- A demonstrated commitment to farming in the Southern Appalachian region
- Production goals of feeding their community and region
- A demonstrated commitment to sustainable practices
Although not required, The Journeyperson Program is best suited for applicants that have the following:
- Secure medium to long-term land tenure (such as owned land or a lease contract)
- A focus on livestock and/or crop production for direct-to-consumer and/or wholesale markets
- An established farm business that needs support to refine their vision, apply whole-farm planning practices and willingness to fully utilize the resources of the program
Program Components
OGS offers you a comprehensive package of support over 12 months:
- 2-4 Webinar Trainings (Jan-Feb)
- Topics may include Holistic Financial Planning (including Holistic Goal Setting). Farm Communications, Advanced Enterprise Development, Advanced Marketing, and more. (topics will be finalized based on the cohort’s needs and interests)
- Topics may include Holistic Financial Planning (including Holistic Goal Setting). Farm Communications, Advanced Enterprise Development, Advanced Marketing, and more. (topics will be finalized based on the cohort’s needs and interests)
- Mentorship: Work with an experienced Farmer Mentor for individualized one-on-one support
- Seasonal monthly virtual cohort meetings
- WNC CRAFT Farmer Network: Membership and mentoring in a regional farmer network
- Identify & connect with Regional resource providers (lenders, land access organizations, small business centers)
- Discount Offers to OGS Services:
- 15% off of Sustainability Coaching & Consulting program for farm design and systems development
- 15% off attendance at OGS Spring Conference
- 15% off of any other OGS workshops