Do you want to start a farm, or have you thought about transitioning your farm into a different venture? If so, then the Southern Piedmont Farm School may be for you.
Beginning in January, we will be hosting the Southern Piedmont Farm School at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office.
This school is a seven-month program that teaches new and transitioning farmers the business aspects and various farming operations within North Carolina. If you are trying to figure out options for vacant land or you want to start farming because of your passion for agriculture, this program will provide you with the right tools.
This program has been so popular that it received state and regional awards. It was also nationally recognized. Additional schools are starting up across the state, but this is the only one targeting the Southern Piedmont counties. Business courses are held on the second Thursday of the month from 6-9 p.m. at the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office, 2727 Old Concord Road, and the farm field days are on the fourth Thursday. Farm tours are held throughout the Piedmont at local farms, with a local lunch provided.
Business course topics will include marketing, cost of production, taxes and business planning. Farm Tours will feature livestock, cheese, specialty crops, orchards, vegetables and much more.
If this program sounds interesting to you and you would like more information, please contact your local extension agent at 704-216-8970. Spots are limited, so register at your earliest convenience. The cost of the course is $250 for one person and $400 for two people. Visit online: http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2014/09/DOC090414.pdf
I will be doing a pesticide class on Sept. 16 from 7-9 p.m. at the Rowan County Center. This class will give two hours of V credit. If you would like to attend, please RSVP to the Rowan County Cooperative Extension office at 704-216-8970. Sept. 30 is the deadline to receive pesticide credits for private applicators.

Danelle Cutting is the horticulture and field crops agent for Cooperative Extension in Rowan County.