Growing Places: For aspiring farmers and start-ups
Get your enterprise off to the right start. Growing Places participants define goals, explore and evaluate opportunities and resources, and become familiar with state and federal agriculture programs. Offered online and in person. Co-sponsored by the UVM Extension New Farmer Project and Women’s Agricultural Network.
Upcoming Sessions:
Session: Winter 2022 Online
Dates: January 10 through February 6, 2022
Early Registration: through December 20, 2021; Cost: $100. To receive this discount, be sure to enter the voucher code of “gp2022” on the checkout page.
Standard registration: Beginning December 21, 2021. Cost: $150
Scholarship and Financial Aid information: Financial aid is available for eligible individuals. If you would like to request financial assistance, please use this online scholarship request form.
About the course
Growing Places is designed for individuals who are considering starting an agriculture or natural resource based business, but who aren’t sure where to start. It is designed to help you:
- develop a comprehensive goal statement, to support and streamline the business planning process;
- explore and evaluate opportunities and resources;
- become familiar with state and federal agriculture programs.
Growing Places is organized into six modules, each addressing a different aspect of business development. Modules include presentations, readings, hands-on exercises and virtual “farm visits” that bring practical perspectives on each topic. For online classes, the online discussion board provides a platform for peer discussion and connection that make for a rich learning environment.
The course is open to anyone with access to an Internet connection. The format allows participants to work through each week’s content when it fits their schedule. Each week, we will offer a short (30- to 45-minute) live session using the Zoom webinar platform. These sessions are not required, but they are recorded so that participants who are unable to make the live session can view the recording at their convenience.