Beginning Farmers Conference in Colorado

Tweet

Denver Botanic Gardens, National Young Farmers Coalition and Rocky Mountain Farmers Union invite you to the third annual Front Range Beginning Farmers Conference!

WHEN: Saturday, March 19, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., followed by social time from 4:30 – 6 p.m.  AND join us March 20 for hands-on volunteer learning opportunities at participating farms. Contact Phil Cordelli at phil.cordelli@botanicgardens.org for more information. 

WHY: Two acres of farmland are lost every minute. The average age of U.S. farmers today is 57. Many people dream of starting an urban or rural farm, but lack access to land, capital, education and training. Let’s do something about it!

WHAT: A one-day conference focusing on small-scale sustainable farming with instructional workshops led by regional experts. Topics include land access and financing, crop rotation and food safety, marketing strategies for small farms, policy advocacy and more! Time to share and connect over a locally sourced lunch and post-conference social time.

WHO: Those who are considering starting an urban, suburban or rural farm; those who have already been growing for a couple of years; and those who want to learn more and support the burgeoning small farm movement on the Front Range.

WHERE: Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms, 8500 W. Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, CO 80128 $52 general public, cost of lunch and social hour food and beverages is included. To learn more about volunteering for a discounted registration cost, please email sami.lester@botanicgardens.org or for more information and to register, visit www.botanicgardens.org/farmers

Beginning Farmers Conference KEYNOTE Nic Koontz & Katie Slota (Native Hill Farms) 

Land Access & The Building Farmers Program, Danielle DuBois (CSU Extension)

Exploring Market & Grant Opportunities for Beginning Farmers, Dawn Thilmany (CSU Extension) & Casey Toyne (Farm Service Agency)

Season Extension, Dan Goldhamer (CSU Extension Denver) 

Farm Marketing Panel, Brad Berger (Boulder County Farmer’s Markets), Scott Washkowiak (Field to Fork), Adam Ring (Ringading Farms), Roger Burleigh (Marczyk’s Fine Foods) 

Specialty Crop Panel, Chris Krabbenhoeft (DBG Chatfield Farms), Harrison Topp (RMFU), Jessica Washkowiak (Field to Fork) 

Small Machine & Tractor Maintenance, Jim Sell (DBG Chatfield Farms) 

Young Farmer Resources & Mentorship, Virginie Pointeau (Quivira Coalition) 

Ag Policy Panel, Kate Greenberg (NYFC), Harrison Topp (RMFU), Shannon Spurlock (DUG) 

Record Keeping: Beyond the Data, Steve Cochenour (Clear Creek Organics) & Elaine Granata (Granata Farms) 

Post-Harvest & Food Safety, Phil Cordelli (DBG Chatfield Farms) & Scott Washkowiak (Field to Fork) 

Link to register: https://catalog.botanicgardens.org/Selection.aspx?item=2086&sch=64643