Grow Your Farm Starts Sept 12 in St. Clair

10 Session Program which includes 2 farm tours to be held September 12, 2011 through October 31, 2011 at 400 N. Commercial, St. Clair, Missouri 63077.

Participants will have an opportunity to:

 Tap into the knowledge of skilled, innovative farmers.
 Network with other farmers and make friends.
 Learn critical farm management skills such as creative financing and innovative marketing strategies.
 See local farming practices being used on real farms under a variety of conditions.
 Learn to view a farm as an interconnected system and learn how goals determine farming practices.
 Craft a tailor-made farming and business plan.
 Meet farmers who have diversified their products.

Session 1: Identifying Values & Creating Goals - Monday, September 12th, 6:30 pm Dean Wilson, MU Ag & Rural Development Specialist Eric & Kathy Lober, Grass-fed beef, poultry, CSA


Session 2: Planning Your Farm - Monday, September 19th, 6:30 pm Greg Tucker, MU Small Business Development Specialist Karen Davis, LU Horticulture Regional Educator, former producer of specialty cut flowers to over 30 local florists

Session 3: Farm Tour - Saturday, September 24th, 9:00 am Eric Lober Farm, CSA, grass fed beef, natural pork, poultry and vegetable production Session 4: Assessing Opportunities, Monday, September 26th, 6:30 pm Miranda Duschack, LU Small Farms Specialist Todd Geisert, Pasture pork, roadside vegetable stand

Session 5: Developing Your Business Plan - Monday, October 3rd, 6:30 pm Ron Mueller, MU Small Business and Development Specialist Sheria Yancey, Farm Service Agency

Session 6: Walking the Farm - Monday, October 10th, 6:30 pm David Price, LU Small Farm Specialist

Session 7: Farm Tour - Saturday, October 15th, 9:00 am Stan & Sue Koch, Beef cattle, goats, Jersey cows, chickens

Session 8: Marketing Your Farm Products - Monday, October 17th, 6:30 pm Connie Cunningham, Goose producer and GYF alumni Paul Krautmann, Organic vegetables, dry beans
 
Session 9: Understanding Legal Issues - Monday, October 24th, 6:30 pm Ken Bolte, MU Ag Business Specialist Debi Kelly, Project Manager, Missouri Alternatives Center Session 10: Presenting Your Farm Plan Monday, October 31st, 6:30 pm
 
Register through Franklin County Extension, 116 W. Main Street, Union, MO 63084, 636-583-5141.  For more information contact Dean Wilson, Ag & Rural Development Specialist, 636-797-5391