This will be the 3rd and final Farm Dreams Workshop of the year, and it will be happening September 10th from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. These workshops are designed to provide an insight into small farming for those who might be considering it as a career. Registration costs $30 and includes a light supper and the Farm Dreams Handbook. You can register here. From the press release:
The Land Connection’s third and final Farm Dreams workshop of the year takes place on Monday, September 10, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Sola Gratia Farm in Urbana, IL with host farmer Traci Barkley. At a time when small farming is steadily becoming a more viable career path for many people, it is important to understand what that path looks like, and what demands, pitfalls, and rewards await those that heed the call of the land. The Farm Dreams workshop explores these topics, providing aspiring farmers with the resources they need when they need them.
Sola Gratia Farm is a community-based farm dedicated to producing locally-grown, high-quality, natural produce. The farm is committed to helping those who lack adequate food resources by donating a minimum of ten percent of its produce to support regional hunger programs. The farm promotes healthy lifestyles and community building through volunteering and service, special events, and outreach and education programs.
The Farm Dreams series is held each summer and helps aspiring farmers discover what it would really take to start their own farm business. From assessing skills and resources, to meeting successful farmers in the region, to deciding next steps for pursuing one’s farm dream, this workshop is the perfect setting to find out what it takes to own a successful farm business. Large farm aspirations are not required to attend, and many people who take the Farm Dreams workshops are looking to start farming a small plot, or even their backyard, to sell flowers, vegetables, honey, or fruit at their local farmers’ markets.
Traci will give a comprehensive tour of Sola Gratia, and explain how the organization was started and how it has grown over the years. She will be joined by two other local farmers for a panel discussion where participants will have the opportunity to ask how they started their farms and what they would have done differently. The workshop also includes exercises to help assess skills and resources, and provide direction for next steps in building a farm business.
Photo provided by The Land Connection.