Maine AgrAbility

A Market Garden Program for Beginning Farmers

Using the “5 F’s” of farming risk (Farming, Family, Finances, Fitness, Future) as a guide, participants will acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to successfully grow produce for small-scale private or commercial fruit and vegetable production. All participants will receive classes and training on soil health, crop planning, fruit and vegetable production, integrated pest management, no-till production, harvest and storage, safe food handling, marketing/branding, farm business/economics, and tool and equipment maintenance and safety. Further instruction will be provided through monthly farm visits across Maine. Each farm visit will highlight techniques and methods learned during classroom instruction. Each participant will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with a business mentor with the culmination of the 10-month program resulting in a business plan.

Course Objectives

• Understand and implement best practices to promote long-term productivity and efficiency of soil health.
• Understand and implement best practices for crop planning
• Understand and implement best practices for various vegetable and fruit variety production including pest management and cultural practices that optimize high-quality harvests
• Know how to develop marketing and branding strategies
• Understand the need and use of a farm business plan
• Learn the business skills required to run a successful farm business
• Develop a business plan