At this event, farmers lead the way—because who better to learn from than fellow farmers? Dive into workshops and discussions led by Connecticut farmers, learn how to advocate for farmer needs with our elected officials, and vote for the best invention at our Farm Hack competition.

When: January 25, 2025

Where: Meriden Public Library, 105 Miller Street Meriden, CT 06451

Cost: FREE!

Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nctfa-2025-farmer-2-farmer-conference-tickets-1110612775709?aff=oddtdtcreator

Featured at the conference will be: a Seed Swap, Breakout sessions (including, Farm Business 101, Winter Growing, Farmer Advocacy, Grant Writing, Silvopasture, Farm Crew Perspectives, Crop Planning and more! ), Affinity Group gatherings, a Farm Hack competition, and overall time to be in community and learn from and with fellow beginning farmers.

Funding for this event is provided by USDA-NIFA-BRDP Award #2023-49400-4087, USDA-NIFA Award #2024-70003-41449, and Pennsylvania Certified Organic.

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 that many beginning farmers with 0 - 3 years experience, but anyone that feels like they could benefit from the course is welcome to join.
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

 

Title of class: Hand Tool Maintenance and Upkeep
Date: February 1st, 2025
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Location: Rockville High School, 70 Loveland Hill Rd, Vernon, CT 06066
Max. number of participants: 12
Description of class: Learn how to properly maintain and sharpen your hand tools. Bring in your hand tools: Clippers, hand hoes, harvest knives, shovels, scuffle hoes, and more! We will provide files and clamps to work with and go over regular care to get the most out of your tools.

Link to Registration: s.uconn.edu/handtoolmaintenance

Title of class: 2 Stroke Service and Repair
Date: 2/4/2025
Time: 4pm-7pm
Location: Middletown High School, 200 La Rosa Ln, Middletown, CT 06457
Max. number of participants: 10
Description of class:
Learn how to troubleshoot and repair the small engines you use on your farm. Gain hands-on experience taking apart a 2-stroke engine to diagnose some of the common problems you may encounter. Bring your own machines and we can troubleshoot any problems you’ve been having or show you how to take the engine apart. We recommend attending this course if you already have some knowledge of how engines work, or if you took our Small Gas Engine Basics Course, since we will dive right into the hands-on training. (Dinner will be provided)

Link to Registration: s.uconn.edu/2strokeengine 

Title of class: 4 Stroke Service and Repair
Date: 2/11/2025
Time: 4pm-7pm
Location: Middletown High School, 200 La Rosa Ln, Middletown, CT 06457
Max. number of participants: 10
Description of class:
Gain hands-on experience working on 4-stroke engines; walk behind tillers, log splitters and more. Bring your own engines and we can troubleshoot any problems you’ve been having or walk through how to take the engine apart and maintain your machine. We recommend attending this course if you already have some knowledge of how engines work, or if you took our Small Gas Engine Basics Course, since we will dive right into the hands-on training. (Dinner will be provided)

Link to Registration: s.uconn.edu/4strokeengine

Title of class: Chainsaw Safety and Operation for Beginners
Date: March 15th, 2025
Time: 9:00am-3:00pm
Location: Mansfield UConn Forests. Exact location TBD
Max Number of participants: 10
Description of class:
Intro to safe chainsaw operation. Students will learn about PPE, work area safety, basic saw maintenance, chain sharpening, and how to develop a felling plan. Each student will have a chance to fell their own tree. You may bring your own saw or use one that will be provided by the instructor. (Lunch will be provided)

Link to Registration: s.uconn.edu/beginnerchainsaw

Title of class: Tractor Safety, Maintenance, and Operation
Date: March 22nd 2025
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: Rockville High School, 70 Loveland Hill Rd, Vernon, CT 06066
Max. number of participants: 12
Description of class: Buying a new tractor for your farm? Are you trying to get some more experience in your tractor operation and safety skills? In this workshop, we will cover safe tractor operation, regular maintenance needs like oil changes, and changing PTOs. Get on both a tractor and skid steer and practice moving around material. (Lunch will be provided)

Link to Registration: s.uconn.edu/tractorsafety

Title of class: Intermediate Chainsaw Course
Date: March 29th, 2025
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: Manfield Center Forests, exact location TBD
Max Number of participants: 10
Description of class:
Level up your chainsaw skills with this intermediate class. (Lunch will be provided)

Link to Registration: s.uconn.edu/intermediatechainsaw

Title of class: Walk-Behind Tractor Safety & Use
Date: 4/9/2025
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: River Ridge Farm, 12 Payne Blvd, Portland, CT 06480
Max. number of participants: 12
Description of class:
BCS / Walk Behind Tractor Training - Interested in scaling up and incorporating a walk behind tractor into your farming operation? Come learn about both BCS and Grillo walk-behind tractors. We’ll cover how it can be used on the farm, safe operation, and practice attaching different implements. (Lunch will be provided)

Link to Registration: https://s.uconn.edu/sgwalkbehind

 

How to Use Enterprise Budgeting

When: To be rescheduled TBD

Where: Farm Credit East, Enfield

Cost: $25

With instructor Jesse 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: s.uconn.edu/introtofinancialstatements