Demonstration
Farms Help Producers Learn About New Practices
In response to the growing
interest in on-farm training from farmers and ranchers, the Alabama
Sustainable Agriculture Network (ASAN) is proud to announce a new
program to promote and support demonstration farm sites around the
state. The program will enlist farms, ranches, and community gardens
around the state to share their knowledge by hosting open houses and
other training events.
According to ASAN project
manager Karen Wynne, “We are really excited about this program.
Farmers learn best from one another, and by having these resources
located around the state we can highlight practices that work best
in each area.”
The program will develop an
interactive online map identifying agricultural education programs
around the state, including universities and research farms, working
farms with educational programs, and community gardens. In addition,
ten demonstration farm sites will be sponsored with mini-grants of
$2500. The sites will use funds for their educational programs as
needed and will plan to host at least one field day within the next
year. ASAN staff will also work with each farm to develop
educational materials and provide technical assistance.
Farms will be selected by a
review committee based on geography, production system, and past
educational programs. Preference may be given to
socially-disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
Download an application
(includes farm listing and application for funding)
File type:
pdf
doc
Applications are due by November
15!
The project is carried
out in partnership with the Alabama A&M University Small Farms
Research Center and the Consortium for Agricultural Newcomers Access
to Learning (CANAL), funded by the USDA National Institute for Food
and Agriculture’s Outreach to Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and
Ranchers Program and Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Development
Program.
For questions or to
volunteer to participate on the review committee please contact
Karen Wynne at 256-520-2400 or
karen@crotovina.com.
Contact information:
Karen Wynne, Project Manager
Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network
P.O. Box 18782
Huntsville, AL 35804
256-520-2400
205-449-4535 fax
karen@crotovina.com
Jim Allen, ASAN Board President
PO Box 102061
Birmingham AL 35210
334-499-2380
928-833-1334 fax
asanjim.allen@gmail.com
