CRAFT Farmer Network Programs

Posted on April 17, 2021 by Taylor in Beginning Farmers, Education, Training Programs // 0 Comments

CRAFT Farmer Network Programs Offer Farmer-Led Training and Opportunities for Beginning and Aspiring Farmers

The Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a network of farmer-led training programs for beginning and aspiring sustainable farmers across the country. Whether you’re a farming novice, working on a farm, starting your farm from scratch, or adding a new enterprise, CRAFT can serve farmers at any experience level. Participating CRAFT farmers offer their time, talents and experience to help prepare the next generation of producers. CRAFT farmer network programs are extremely diverse. They focus on a variety of things, including: internships, field days, employment, workshops, mentoring, technical assistance, conferences, social gatherings, business planning courses, and more. You can learn more about the alliance at http://www.craftfarmer.org/. Below, find a (probably incomplete) list of regional CRAFT programs.

List of Regional CRAFT Farmer Network Programs

West

Northeast

New York

Midwest

Southeast

Canada

Featured CRAFT Farmer Network Program – Western North Carolina CRAFT from Organic Growers School

Membership is open year-round with fees ranging from $20 to $48 per year. Memberships will give you access to a wealth of summer farm tours, winter workshops, local farming resources, and a community of farmers.

WNC Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a farmer-led effort to bring established farmers, farm apprentices, and aspiring farmers together for year-long training in the art and science of sustainable agriculture, straight from the hearts, mouths, and fields of seasoned local farmers in Western North Carolina (WNC).

Not from our region? Visit www.craftfarmer.org to connect with a CRAFT group near you, or learn how to start your own!

Join Now

What are the benefits of WNC CRAFT?

Farm tours = held monthly from April through October and focus on a specific aspect of sustainable farming. Check out the tour schedule and read blog posts about past tours.

CRAFT farming handbook = farmer-generated, regionally specific information on all aspects of farming.

Round-table discussions = a place for farmers to come together to discuss advanced farming topics.

Farmer network = includes both farmers and farm workers and is built on a farmer-to-farmer exchange of ideas.