WORKSHOP "New Farm" start-up.
Our newest workshop is designed as a custom-made program for individual farms and farmers that are in the planning or early execution stage of a new-(organically-based) farm start up. Using successful field-tested methods, ranging from soil restoration to raising pastured poultry, the Broadened Horizons Organic Teaching Farm is a viably productive model of a permaculture-based, sustainable food growing operation that uses low-cost, low-tech solutions encompassing a wide variety of diverse growing conditions.
The "new-farm start up" workshop will be presented as a total custom event for each participant(s). There will be no pre-scheduled calendar dates, rather we will hold the workshop "on demand" when a new farmer(s) is both learning ready and has time available.
The workshop sessions will cover enough topics to require at least a couple of days. Training might also include a work-to-learn" component that would be a hands on labor exchange for practical farm knowledge / experience held at a later, separate time. The workshop can be held at anytime during the week, and is not limited to weekends only.
Meals and overnight lodging could be made available, allowing the participant(s) to experience actual farm living routines. Fees are structured along a sliding scale based on income level. Contact us for more specific information concerning registration and cost.
Subjects covered:
Designing an efficient, low maintenance farm infrastructure
Benefits and wisdom of crop diversity
Soil testing through plant presence
Utilizing internal & external nutrient inputs
Managing sustainable growth & expansion
Recycling & resource reconfiguration (permaculture inspired)
Business management guidelines to maximize profit potential
Establishing a signature farm product
Minimizing energy costs through green construction and appropriate landscaping
Sustainable agricultural practices in the East Tennessee region
Seed saving and improving plant genetics
Rebuilding and nourishing topsoil
Testimonials
We really enjoyed our visit out to Broadened Horizons Organic Farm, meeting you and Cielo and learning about your farming practices. You have clearly invested a lot of time and energy into growing your farm, and your experience and enthusiasm are evident.
It was very helpful to see the systems you have put in place, and to hear about the recycled and salvaged materials you have incorporated into your farm. Books, conferences and the like are certainly useful tools for beginning farmers, but the opportunity to see and learn about examples of sustainable practices first hand is invaluable.
Chris & Dana Saywell, Blount County, TN.
We can't thank you enough for the time you spent teaching us about the practices you've put in place at Broadened Horizons Organic Farm. Though we've read about Permaculture and attended lectures, those experiences are incomplete compared to the opportunity you provided to see your projects and learn from your work first hand.
You covered a broad variety of sustainable and organic practices that any small farmer can apply, and you showed us how they can be achieved at relatively low cost using mostly recycled materials.
We’ll certainly be following your progress and continuing to learn from your experiences as you share them in your Weekly Farm Journal and your Blog.
Dudley & Patria Leath, Blount County, TN.