In January 2014 and again in spring, Northeast Farm Access, LLC, hosted the first-ever Scaling Up curriculum, and brought together six or so experienced farmers who wanted grow their operations and plan for long-term viability. Participants convened for a series of two-day sessions hosted at the Copake Agricultural Center in Copake, NY. There they refined their business plans and worked through typical “scaling up” issues with fellow farmers and educators. Participating farmers built capacity to scale up their businesses by focusing on these topics: Business Planning, Administrative Skills, and Marketing & Distribution.
The program is structured so that participants take a break from classes for the summer (while they manage their farm businesses), then reconvene in November for the balance of the sessions. Potential topics for this second half of the curriculum include: Leadership, Soil Fertility, Land Acquisition Planning, and Production Systems. Participant interest guides the curriculum and activities.
Northeast Farm Access, LLC, anticipates hosting a second cohort of Scaling Up during 2015. Read below for more curriculum details.
IN EACH COHORT, PARTICIPANTS WILL…
- Assess their current operations for challenges and opportunities.
- Gain the management skills needed to successfully manage their growing business.
- Refine and peer-review written plans for marketing, production, and finances.
- Emerge with updated business plans.
- Receive a certificate of completion upon finishing the program.
FORMAT
Farmers will gather for 10 two-day sessions at the beginning of each month from January 2015 to April 2015, pause for the growing season, then reconvene October 2015 to March 2016. On-farm lodging and local food meals will be provided by the Center. Group preference will determine exact scheduling.
Sessions will include time in the classroom, hands-on activities, and peer-to-peer exchange. Farmers and educators will lead presentations and activities, and participants will break into groups for discussions and projects. The new Copake Agricultural Center’s 112 acres will act as stage for in-field learning through field walks, facility tours, and shop demonstrations. The sessions include ample time for meeting with fellow farmers.
ENROLLMENT
For this pilot year, program costs are $1,000 for 10 sessions, lodging, and all meals. Tuition reduction is available through a work-study arrangement: for more information, contact bob [at] nefarmaccess [dot] com.
APPLY:
• Application
STEERING COMMITTEE AND SPONSORS
Scaling Up Steering Committee
- Bob Bernstein, Northeast Farm Access
- Faith Gilbert, Northeast Farm Access
- Jacob Meyer, Northeast Farm Access
- Marissa Codey, Columbia Land Conservancy
- Michelle Russell, Northeast Farm Access
- Rachel Schneider, Hawthorne Valley Farm
- Stephen Hadcock, Cornell Cooperative Extension
- Terri Lawton, MA Department of Agricultural Resources consultant
- Zach Wolf, The Farm at the Locusts
Scaling Up Sponsors
- Columbia Land Conservancy
- Cornell University Cooperative Extension
- Hawthorne Valley Farm
Scaling Up thanks all sponsors and Northeast Farm Access LLC for first funding of our 2014 pilot program. Additional sponsors are needed. Donations are tax deductible. Please contact Bob Bernstein at 603-209-2000 to find out more.
