May 2, 2019
By:
Are you a beginning farmer looking to diversify your operation? Maybe you’d like to get started in agriculture but don’t know where to start. Perhaps you’ve bought some property and want to learn how you can make money off of it.
If any of these describes you, I’d invite you to consider participating in the inaugural Upper Cumberland Beginning Farmer Short Course. The Upper Cumberland Beginning Farmer Short Course is a five-month certificate program designed for those with an interest in becoming agricultural entrepreneurs, or diversifying their current venture.
The five sessions will be held monthly from May – October at different locations around the Upper Cumberland. A portion of each session will be dedicated to helping you establish and/or maintain a productive and efficient operation by covering topics such as soil health, livestock production, fruit and vegetable production, beekeeping, irrigation strategies, hemp production, greenhouse management, and hydroponics.
In addition to classroom instruction, the course provides farm tours and hands-on experiential sessions on issues including fruit tree pruning and maintenance, drip irrigation and plasticulture, fencing installation and repair, sprayer calibration, and equipment operation/safety.
The registration fee for the Upper Cumberland Beginning Farmer Short Course is $100 per person, or $125 per couple. This includes lunch at each of the 5 sessions as well as handouts and other valuable material.
For more information, including a complete list of topics, dates, and locations, contact Johnny Barnes at jbarnes1@utk.edu, 615-597-4945, or visit us at 722 S. Congress Blvd., Smithville. The DeKalb County UT-TSU Extension Office is right in the middle of the DeKalb Community Complex Building. Please register for the class by Friday, May 24.
Programs in agriculture and natural resources, 4-H youth development, family and consumer sciences and resource development. University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, US Dept. of Agriculture, and county governments cooperating. UT Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.