Boots to Bushels – Market Garden Training for New England
Educators at the University of Rhode Island (URI) are hosting the Boots to Bushels New Farmer Training Program (B2B) starting in the winter of 2024.
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.
Phase 1:
10 weeks of online instruction. Classes will be held online every other Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. from February 20th through June 25th, 2024.
Phase 2:
Further instruction will be provided through monthly farm visits. If you are from Maine, or live nearby, you can attend the Maine farm visits at no extra cost. Each farm visit will highlight techniques and methods learned during classroom instruction. URI is also offering farm visits in Rhode Island, see their website for more info.
Registration Ends February 18, 2024
UMaine Cooperative Extension is hosting these farm visits with funding from USDA NIFA Grant #2021-70033-35716.
In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).