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This summer, I joined an organization called CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) - it's run by the non-profit side of Angelic Organics Learning Center. It was inexpensive to join, $25 per year for my farm (meaning myself and anyone who works on the farm), and I get to attend any of the farmer-training field days for free. (I posted a few weeks ago about attending a field day in nearby Wisconsin to learn about different mulches for weed control in the vegetable gardens). Another awesome benefit is the emails sent out by the organization. They update us on anything we may find interesting - and last week I received an email offering $150 scholarships for continuing education for farmers in their 2-5 years of business.
I applied, and was awarded one! Well, I guess the $25 I spent to join has surely paid for itself now. Awesome!
I have chosen to apply my scholarship to attending the MOSES (Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service) conference next February in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. It costs $195 for entrance, so after my scholarship it will cost me only $45. This is a 3 day conference, with something like 60 workshops! I'll be able to attend 6 workshops. Now I only need to decide which 6 to choose, and which day to attend!
If you are a beginning farmer, check into the organizations available for farmer training in your area. They'll pay for themselves!
If you're not a farmer, SUPPORT LOCAL FARMERS! Buy their products. Most of us are struggling and appreciate your business so much! Plus, our products are much more superior than those in the grocery store. They're fresh!
Thanks for visiting the All Natural Mama blog, home to Wishful Acres Organic Farm!
Hi Penny,
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh - this is AWESOME!! We went to MOSES last year and loved it! We aren't sure yet if we are going in 2011 or not. CONGRATULATIONS!