START FARMING
Extension Education
Tianna Dupont
Educator- Sustainable AG
NAZARETH
Abstract
\r\n The PA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program is led by a team of eleven Penn State Extension Educators in collaboration with PA Farmlinkand the Seed Farm --a Lehigh County Agricultural Incubator Project. We launched this project in 2009 in response to increasing interest in farm start-up. Our goal is to enhance the success of beginning farmers and ranchers by providing information and hands-on training in production, marketing, financial management and land/resource acquisition. To date, the Southeast Pennsylvania Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program, “Start Farming” has produced 20 program brochures including a yearly calendar of events, 1 new website (http://extension.psu.edu/start-farming), and 36 blog articles. In year one: 406 new and beginning farmers participated in 19 courses in seven counties. All courses were face-to-face with 1 to 8 sessions per course. 61% of participants attending introductory workshops said they learned a great deal or a moderate amount, 38% said they learned a great deal. Of 133 participants in intensive courses the average increase in real knowledge was 35%. 54% of participants plan to adopt at least one new practice as a result of classes attended. 51% plan to continue farming and 26% plan to start farming.
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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
A poster file has not been provided
Authors: S.T. DuPont
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DuPont, S. Sustainable Agriculture Educator, Penn State Extension, Pennsylvania, 18064