Crop Production Course in Massachusetts

Posted on April 27, 2019 by Taylor in Beginning Farmers, Farming, Farming Resources, Small Farms, Sustainable Agriculture, Training Programs, Workshops // 0 Comments

Crop Production Course in Massachusetts Starting May 5th, 2019

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project is offering a 20-week Crop Production Course starting Sunday, May 5^th through the end of September! This is a great course for anyone looking to develop skills and knowledge growing vegetable crops organically and using soil health and conservation principles. We tailor the course to be informative and useful for anyone interested in producing food, particularly for those with goals of growing commercially who need “hands-in-the-dirt” skills training. The course meets in person 10 times on Sunday afternoons, with supplemental instruction in online course modules to learn at your own pace and to supplement on-farm instruction. You can also gain additional experience helping out on the incubator farm and supporting production in the class demonstration plot.

In this Crop Production Course, you will learn how to:

Identify sustainable agriculture practices
Create a crop plan
Manage a greenhouse
Source and maintain farm equipment and machinery
Set up a drip irrigation system
Manage soil nutrients
Manage weeds and use cover crops
Identify pests and implement pest management strategies
Learn how to prepare crops for market and comply with food safety regulations
Connect with agencies that provide services for new farmers

To register for the course (two-step process), visit: https://www.nesfp.org/farmer-training/crop-production-course Cost: $600. Scholarships are available for military veterans, and income-qualified individuals.

For any questions about the crop production course, please email alex.matthews@tufts.edu.

The New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, an initiative of Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and additional partners, works locally, regionally, and across the country to strengthen local food systems by supporting new farmers. We serve and collaborate with the people, communities, and organizations in Massachusetts, the Northeast, and beyond! Click below to learn how you can get involved with New Entry.