Farmer Trainings

Farmer Trainings

Welcome to Solid Ground Farmer Trainings, a program of UConn CAHNR Extension. We are so excited to be offering another season of trainings including our Agro-Ecology and Ag-Mechanics trainings! Find out more information about learning opportunities below. Please note: These trainings are intended for production farmers in Connecticut, if you have a a hobby farm or are gardening, please reference this other wonderful UConn Extension program here: https://homegarden.cahnr.uconn.edu/ 

See our previous trainings. See what kind of topics we cover and get an idea of what we do.

If you have suggestions as to what kind of trainings you would like to see, please email our communications staff.

Join our email list, so you can be updated on trainings we are presenting  in the state.

Grants, Finances and Business

How to Use Enterprise Budgeting

When: Dec. 5th, 9AM-1PM

Where: Farm Credit East, Enfield

Cost: $25

Sign up Here: https://s.uconn.edu/enterprisebudgeting

With instructor Jessie Wright from UNH Extension, this class teaches farmers how to create an enterprise budget from their existing financial records. The course requires farmers to already know how to create a Balance Sheet, Net Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement for their business and assumes that farmers are already using these. In this class, farmers will learn how to use an Enterprise Budget to help determine whether a particular farm enterprise/crop is profitable, and how best to increase income and profitability for the enterprise. Farmers will participate in small group exercises creating and evaluating enterprise budgets and financial statements to help with decisions about their business. For those that complete the course, they have the opportunity to apply for a free consultation with Erin Pirro from Farm Credit East. 

To review the prerequisite training on Balance Sheets, Net Income Statements and Cash Flow Statements, please watch this video series that will be uploaded here soon.

The Business of Farming Online Course

When: Launching both Jan 2 and Feb 12

Where: Virtual- through Blackboard

Cost:$50

Cohort 1 (starting in Jan) Sign up Here: s.uconn.edu/bofcohort1

Cohort 2 (starting in Feb) Sign up Here: s.uconn.edu/bofcohort2

A hybrid course where participants will complete 7 modules that include both virtual and in-person meetings . It is designed to develop and strengthen the business and technical skills for beginning farmers with 0 - 3 years of experience.
Participate in this learning experience with farmer peers and develop new networks in a safe environment to foster informal interactions, knowledge sharing, and relationship building. It is never too early to acquire some of the fundamental skills and habits in farm business management, such as How to Write a Business Plan, Statements for Financial Management, Grant Opportunities, Marketing/Branding, Tax Filing and more. Dates for sessions below:

Cohort One:

Online Sessions: January 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd 12:00pm-1:30pm
In Person Sessions: January 10th and 24th, 9:00am-3:30pm at the Hartford County Extension Center

Cohort Two:

Online Sessions: February 12th, 19th, 26th, and March 5th, 12:30pm-2:00pm
In Person Sessions: February 21st and March 7th, 9:00am-3:30pm at the Tolland County Agricultural Center

Getting Paid For Climate Smart Practices

This December, Solid Ground is proud to offer Getting Paid for Your Climate Smart Practices, two info sessions designed specifically to connect new and beginning farmers to available funding through NRCS programs. The sessions will start with a farm walk, discussing what climate smart practices are happening on the farm as well as what practices are possible. The farm walks will be facilitated by soil health extraordinaire Kip Kolesinskas, sharing his own insight and wisdom on multiple climate smart farm practices. NRCS staff will lead the info session through what on-farm practices fit within each program, the requirements and farm eligibility. Coffee and bagels will be provided.

Sign up and choose which training works for you here: s.uconn.edu/climatesmartfunds

Wednesday, December 4th
Northwest Corner Farm 
9:30- 11AM
139 Grantville RoadWinchester, CT 06098

Wednesday, December 11th
Cold Spring Farm 
9:30- 11AM
46 Lake Hayward Town Road, Colchester, CT 06415

Ag Mechanics Trainings

Power Tool Safety & Carpentry Basics Training
Date: December 5th and December 12th
Time: 4pm-7pm
Location: WorkspaceCT, 16 Trowbridge Dr, Bethel
Get familiar with the power tools and carpentry skills that you'll need on your farm. Learn how to use an impact driver, drill, skill saw, table saw and more. You will work with your new skills to complete a project, over two days of instruction. Food is provided.

 

Small Gas Engine Basics
Date: December 10th, 2024
Time: 4pm-7pm
Location: Middletown High School, 200 La Rosa Ln, Middletown, CT 06457
Learn how to troubleshoot and repair the small engines you use on your farm! This is a course for beginners, going over how small engines work and basic maintenance. We cover both 2 stroke and 4 stroke gas engines, as a prerequisite to our 2 stroke and 4 stroke small engine repair courses. Food is provided.

Please contact us if cost is prohibitive and we will work with you to make this affordable

Please contact us 2 weeks in advance with special needs (dietary, translation, accessibility, etc.) We'll do our best to accommodate you.

FOR ALL WORKSHOPS THAT INCLUDE TRAVEL: If the cost is prohibitive, Travel Stipends will be made available to participants at any event where travel is required to attend 

Please do not attend if you are not feeling well - you will receive a refund.