North Carolina Cooperative Extension invites prospective, beginning and transitioning farmers to attend the 2012 Piedmont Farm School. This is a seven-month program for individuals who are seriously considering or currently involved in farming and is designed to provide training in production practices and business planning, in order to help people operate successful small-scale, sustainable farms.
Each month from February to June and September to October, the group will meet one evening for business training and on another day for a field trip to local farms. Field trip topics include the following: whole farm planning, livestock basics (beef cattle, hogs, meat and dairy goats, poultry), fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, agritourism and marketing. Rowan County will be participating in the school.
The registration fee is $150 for one person, $200 for two people, and $250 for families of three or more, for those who register and pay by Dec. 16. Between Dec. 16 and Jan. 20, $25 should be added to the fee. Call the Davidson County Extension office at (336) 242-2085 to register or e-mail Leslie Vinesett at leslie_vinesett@ncsu.edu for more information.
Those who require accommodations for disabilities or have limited English proficiency should call or e-mail our office no later than five business days before the event.
The school will be conducted at the Davidson County Agricultural Building, 301 East Center St. in Lexington.