Solid Ground Farmer Training Program
UConn Extension leads this project along with six organizational partners and 11 collaborators to generate new learning opportunities that:
- Respond to different skill gaps in production and farm management for advanced-level and early-stage beginning farmers (BF).
- Leverages organizational partners’ capacity to meet the unmet needs of BF through existing training.
- Addresses farmland access needs of BF.
Developed by and for BFs, this shared project represents a significant investment in the growth and leadership of the BF community. The program offers video resources, an online course on
Soil Health & Climate Adaptation, a series of webinars and field days on AgroEcology, a series of Agriculture Mechanic trainings, as well as the
availability of one-on-one technical assistance. The program partners with two Agri-Science and Technology High Schools to deliver 18 agriculture mechanic training courses using their well-equipped learning spaces. The program works closely with the New CT Farmer Alliance and CT Northeast Organic Farming Association; the Solid Ground Farmer Training Program has launched new peer learning opportunities called Farmer Circles. There is engaged the capacity and expertise of a team of Hartford-based farmers called ‘I Got Next Coalition’ to develop and deliver a new urban farming training program that will reach farmers of color in Bridgeport, New Haven, and Hartford. There are partnerships with Land for Good to coordinate matchmaking events (Farmland Mixers) for farm seekers and farmland owners. Finally, the program produces two video series featuring ‘New Entrepreneurs’ and ‘DIY Farm Infrastructure.’ Our long-term goal is to increase the durability of the next generation of farmers by improving their ability to withstand disruption and shocks (social, environmental, financial) through more advanced skills, convenient learning tools, and more robust peer support networks.