Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program Components
Who Should Attend?
Who is a beginning farmer? USDA defines a beginning farmer as anyone who has been farming less than ten years continuously. The Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program is focused on those interested in starting a farm business or those who have recently begun farming and want to improve their operation.
What Kind of Training Does the Program Provide?
Interested farmers will attend one of two different Small Farm Business Planning trainings: Small Farm Business Planning training run by the UGA Small Business Development Center, or the AgAware program run by AgCredit. The business training offered in your area is selected by the Extension team hosting the Journeyman program. Following the Small Farm Business Planning training, farmers will either participate in a Small Fruit and Vegetable Production training or a Small Ruminant Production training, depending on which program they signed up for. Some Journeyman programs offer a Hands-On Production training and depends on the Extension team hosting the program.
Step One
Small Farm Business Planning is four 2-hour sessions developed in partnership with the UGA Small Business Development Center, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, and Georgia Organics. Topics include lessons learned from successful small farms, market feasibility, balance sheets, income statements, risk management, marketing and technology, as well as preparing a business plan. Successful participants will have the foundation to prepare their own farm business plan. For a general agenda on the Small Farm Business Planning training, click here.
Or
AgAware is a one-day workshop run by AgCredit that is aimed at young, beginning, small and minority farmers. The workshop covers farm business topics including: lessons learned from successful small farms, balance sheets, income statements, family finance and budgeting, applying for financing, risk management, marketing and technology, as well as preparing a business plan. Successful participants will have the foundation to prepare their own farm business plan. They also receive a FSA borrower certificate and a certificate of completion. Participants in Ag Aware are eligible to enroll in either the Small Fruit & Vegetable Production or Small Ruminants Production trainings. For more information please visit the AgAware site: https://www.agsouthfc.com/News/AGAware.aspx
Step Two
Small Fruit & Vegetable Production is a seven week 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, and marketing. For a general agenda on the Small Fruit and Vegetable Production training, click here.
Or
Small Ruminant Production is a six week training developed by Fort Valley State University in partnership with UGA Extension. Topics include: goat and sheep breeds and selection, nutrition and body scoring, pasture management, predator control, health and diseases, reproduction and kidding/lambing, integrated parasite management, as well as meats and marketing. The training includes a session with live animals to practice body condition scoring, hoof trimming and checking for internal parasites. For a general agenda on the Small Ruminant Production training, click here.
Step Three
Hands-On Production may or may not be offered, depending on the Extension team who is hosting the Journeyman program in your area. This includes internships, mentorships, and/or incubator options with experienced farmers. In order to qualify for this portion of the program, you must complete and pass Steps 1 and 2. You will need to apply for Hands-On opportunities and not everyone is guaranteed a spot. Check in with the county agent running your program to learn about the details of their program.
This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture under award number 2015-70017-22861. It is a partnership between UGA, Georgia Organics, Fort Valley State University, UGA Small Business Development Center, AgSouth, Georgia Department of Agriculture, and the Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association.
If you have general questions about the program please contact your local County Extension Office.