Training Course for Aspiring Farmers – March to May – Louisville, Kentucky

Sustainable Agriculture of Louisville (SAL)
Education, advocacy, consultation and accompaniment of youth and aspiring farmers

SAL is now planning and recruiting for a first training course for new and aspiring farmers to take place from March through November, 2010.

Curriculum Outline: March-May, with weekly follow up sessions over Summer, Three 90-minute sessions per week (times negotiated with trainees).

·         The Decision to Farm, Process, Market, Community Organize: Refining the Vision, Transition or Leap? Means of Production: Land, Water, Tools. Location, housing, income and lifestyle.

·         Soil Fertility Stewardship: Theory and Practice

·         Crops, Animals and Fish: Integrated Agricultural or Aquaponic Models: From worms to carp to cattle, by way of honey bees.

·         Direct Marketing Strategies: Solidarity Economy mechanisms, CSAs, Farmers Markets, Niche Markets, Value Added, Food Procurement Contracting, Human Relations and Communications

·         Business Planning basics

·         Political economy, agriculture and democracy.

Practicum Opportunities: May-November. These mini- apprenticeships, mentorships and experiential leaning opportunities constitute 50% or more of the learning experience. Participant-trainees will choose from a variety of experiential work placements with area farmers, urban agriculturalists, food processors, marketers, community organizations.

Accompaniment Program: This program includes a medium-term (2 years or more) commitment to accompany participant-trainees in taking steps to acquire access to the means of production, a process that will be adapted to the unique needs and particular circumstances of each participant-trainee.

Cost: Sliding Scale Fee*. $250 minimal fee. *Pending fund-raising activities.

Time commitment: On average 4-20 hours per week, varies with practicums.

For more information, to register to be among SAL’s first class of aspiring farmer trainee-participants, to donate or to volunteer, please contact SAL coordinator, Stephen Bartlett sbartlett@ag-missions.org (502) 896 9171), or talk with active member Amanda Fuller, abfuller@gmail.com (502) 452 6770