in this section: scholarship eligibility, scholarship application information, download scholarship application (.pdf) , download scholarship application (.doc)

BEGINNING FARMER & RANCHER SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship application deadline is Nov. 12, 2010

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Scholarship program is designed to give new and beginning farmers and ranchers a low-cost opportunity to participate in Carolina Farm Stewardship Association's (CFSA) Sustainable Agriculture Conference Dec. 3-5, 2010 in Winston-Salem. 

The Sustainable Agriculture Conference is an unparalleled opportunity for beginning farmers to learn how to be successful in their sustainable farming enterprises.  The conference has special programming for beginning farmers on:
- basic farm planning,
- marketing,
- how to avoid common startup pitfalls, and
- applying for grants and loans for farmers

Other conference workshops cover cutting edge issues in sustainable agriculture, including:
- organic weed and pest control,
- plant diseases,
- soil fertility,
- heritage livestock,
- food safety and processing, and
- farmer business issues

In addition, the conference offers beginning farmers the invaluable opportunity to network and learn from experienced farmers.

In short, the Sustainable Agriculture Conference will help beginning farmers survive and thrive.

Scholarship recipients will be eligible to attend all regular conference activities, beginning with the reception and dinner on Friday, Dec. 3, and including all workshops, plenary sessions, meals and networking sessions taking place on Saturday, Dec. 4 and Sunday Dec. 5.   
The value of this scholarship totals $275.

The scholarship does not cover the pre-conference workshops and tours held on Dec. 3, but all scholarship recipients will be eligible to attend these activities at discounted CFSA member rates. Eligible Friday programs are:  Sustainable Fruit and Vegetable Production Tour, Sustainable Livestock Tour, Sustainable Diversified Farm Tour, tours of Reynolda Gardens and Old Salem and the Edible Schoolyard, and the Organic Certification Workshop.

Learn more about conference speakers and workshops.

Download the 2010 Conference brochure.

Scholarship Eligibility:
Up to 40 scholarships are available.  For purposes of this scholarship program, a new or beginning farmer or rancher is defined as an individual who:

- Has not operated a farm or ranch, or who has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 consecutive years.  This requirement applies to all members of an entity,

- Will materially and substantially participate in the operation of the farm or ranch.  Material and substantial participation requires that the individual provide substantial day-to-day labor and management of the farm or ranch, consistent with the practices in the county or State where the farm is located

This scholarship is for individuals who live in North or South Carolina.

- CFSA encourages minority farmers to take advantage of this scholarship.  Fourteen of the 40 scholarships are reserved for minority farmers.


Scholarship Requirements
Scholarship recipients will be required to:
- attend one of the two Basic Farm Planning workshops held during the conference.

- cover the cost of their own breakfasts, lodging and travel expenses.  For more information about lodging options and CFSA's host program, click here.

The scholarship will pay for the full cost of conference registration, covering all activities from the opening of the conference at the Friday, Dec. 3 reception through the close of the conference at 12:30 on Sunday, Dec. 4.  Recipients are responsible for any meals not included in the registration fee, travel, and lodging.  



Scholarship Application Deadline:
The deadline to apply for this scholarship is Nov. 12, 2010.   

Scholarship recipients will be notified of award decisions by Nov. 19, 2010.



To Apply for the Scholarship, please complete the scholarship application and email to Cheryl Ripperton Rettie. Please put Beginning Farmer Scholarship in the subject line of your email.

Applications can also be submitted by postal mail; send your completed application to:
CFSA
c/o Beginning Farmer Scholarship
PO Box 448
Pittsboro, NC
27312

Download Scholarship Application (.pdf)

Download Scholarship Application (.doc)

 

For More Information:
Email
Phone -  919-542-2402


This scholarship program is made possible by a grant from National Institute for Food and Agriculture and the National Center for Appropriate Technology, and we are grateful for this support.