UGA Extension Office

Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program

Across the United States and in Georgia, the number of small and medium–sized farms is declining and the average age of farmers is on the rise. Although we need new farmers, the barriers potential farmers face when trying to grow new agricultural businesses from the ground up can be challenging. UGA Extension and partners have developed the Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program to provide a comprehensive training program for beginning farmers.

Check in with your county Extension agent to see if a program is scheduled in your county. Each program is different, so make sure to ask which components of the Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program they plan to offer.

Possible Components of a Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program:

  • Small Farm Business Planning or AgAware Training
  • Small Fruit & Vegetable Production or Small Ruminants Production,
  • Hands-on Production Training (Internship, mentorship, and/or incubator opportunities. *Not available with every Journeyman Program*

Participants are welcome to travel to any classes offered around the state, so if there is not a program being offered in your county, you may also check with other county Extension agents to see if one is being held nearby. You will receive a certificate if you take the classes and pass the knowledge evaluation that follows the classes. Please realize that counties offering Hands-On Production Trainings may only have opportunities available in their county.

For more information on the program, go to: Journeyman Farmers Certificate Program.

Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program at UGA Extension Henry County

Small Farm Business Planning Section

UGA Extension Henry County is offering the Journeyman Farmers certificate Program for small farmers who are new and for those who would like to become a small farmer. The program will consist of two parts: The Small Farm Business Planning Section.

The Small Farm Business planning section that will cover the basics business topics such as: Lessons learned from successful small farms

·         Balance sheets & income statements

·         Business planning & budgeting

·         Family finance

·         Applying for Financing

·         Risk management

Successful participants will have the foundation to prepare their own farm business plan. 

The program is being hosted by AgSouth Farmer Credit’s AGAware program, which is a one-day workshop that is aimed at young, beginning, small and minority farmers. Participants will receive a notebook and instruction by professionals and will learn how to develop their own small farm business plan. Lunch will also be provided.

The program will be held on Friday, January 20, 2023, 8:00am to 4:00pm at the University of Georgia Henry County Office located at 97 Lake Dow Road, McDonough, GA 30252.

The cost of the program, which includes all materials, is $75. Deadline for Registration is Monday, January 16, 2023. To register, please go to the following weblink: Small Farm Business Planning.

 

UGA Extension Henry County Journeyman Farmers Certificate Program Fruit and Vegetable Production Section

UGA Extension Henry County is offering the Journeyman Farmers Certificate Program for small farmers who are new and for those who would like to become a small farmer. The program will consist of two parts: The Small Farm Business Planning Section and Fruit and vegetable production Section.

The Fruit and Vegetable Production is a seven-part training developed in partnership with Georgia Organics and the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association.

Topics include:

·         Soil health and Fertility

·         Soil Amendments and Fertilizers

·         Cover Crops

·         Crop Rotations, Pest Management,

·         Crop Selection

·         Crop Propagation

·         Equipment

·         Post-harvest Handling

·         Food Safety

·         Marketing.

 

We will visit a local small farm as part of one of the sessions. The program will be held on Thursday, February 2, 2023, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Friday, February 3, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, and Saturday, February 4, 8:00 am - 1:00pm at the University of Georgia Henry County Office located at 97 Lake Dow Road, McDonough, GA 30252.

The cost of the program, which includes all materials, is $100. Registration Deadline is Monday, January 30, 2023. To register, please go the following link: Fruit and Vegetable Production Section

Note: There will be no hands-on intern opportunities offered with these programs