by CFSA | Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019 –

Having fun at a workshop at SAC

From gaining knowledge to getting inspired for the year ahead, the Sustainable Agriculture Conference (SAC) is THE place for new farmers to learn and connect with the sustainable ag community in the Carolinas and beyond. Have you thought about attending, but wondered how SAC might benefit you, if you could afford it, or whether it would be worth your time?

 

Why Come to SAC? One Beginning Farmer’s Experience

Mary Beth Miller of Blue Merle Farm

Mary Beth Miller, CFSA Education Coordinator and co-owner of Blue Merle Farm, shared that attending SAC as a beginning farmer brought her dreams of farming into reality.

“I learned some hard truths about what it takes to be a successful farmer from advanced growers and longtime members of the sustainable ag community by attending workshops and speaking with folks who are willing to share their stories and experiences with beginners,” she said. “At the same time, my passion for sustainable ag and my desire to be part of this community grew out of these conversations and newly formed relationships.”

“You owe it to yourself to enrich your farming knowledge, build community, make new friends, add a skill to your grower’s toolbox, eat delicious food, and celebrate the hard work you’ve accomplished this year.”

As for networking, Mary Beth met a lot of other farmers at her first SAC, as well as extension agents, service providers, and representatives of organizations that she had only heard about. She says that the conference provided her with the connections and the confidence to ask for assistance when she might not have before going to SAC.

To beginning farmers who are on the fence about coming to the conference, Mary Beth says, “You owe it to yourself to enrich your farming knowledge, build community, make new friends, add a skill to your grower’s toolbox, eat delicious food, and celebrate the hard work you’ve accomplished this year. And what better way to spend a tax write-off?”

 

Workshops for Beginning Farmers

SAC attendee asking a speaker a question

CFSA’s Sustainable Agriculture Conference will feature 130 speakers teaching more than 60 sessions, including a variety of workshops taught by experts in the field of sustainable agriculture that are designed specifically for new farmers. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the workshops for beginners that will be offered at this year’s conference:

  • Farming with Your Feet on the Earth: History, Applications, & Practicality of Walk-Behind Tractors
  • Holistic Farm Planning: Goal Setting for Farmers (Part 1 of 2)
  • Holistic Farm Planning: Farm Decision Making (Part 2 of 2)
  • Walk Slow and Look for Snakes
  • Raising Rabbits Sustainably for Food and Profit
  • Organic Certification
  • Growing Potatoes in the Carolinas
  • Creating a Quality of Life While Farming: The 30-Hour/Week Profitable Livestock
  • Farm, Understanding & Promoting Beneficial Insects, Cultivating Your Marketing
  • Farm Transfer Contracts: Leases, Options, “Farming Together” Agreements, &
  • Purchase Scenarios Farm Transfer Contracts
  • A Seed to Stem Harvest: Using the Whole Plant
  • Develop That OTHER Green Thumb: Funding Options for Your Farm or Ag Enterprise
  • Cultivating Climate Resilience on Your Farm
  • Permaculture: An Adaptable System
  • Hands-On Mushroom Log Inoculation

Leonora Stefanile adjusting irrigation fittings at a workshop

There’s also the Beginning Farmer Bus Tour on Friday, Nov. 1 from 12:30-5 p.m. Join host Dylan Alexander, CFSA’s Lomax Farm Coordinator and owner of Alexander Acres, to visit a farm incubator and learn how alternative land agreements can provide access to new farmers and growers looking to scale up. Hear from beginning farmers about what it takes to get started, how to break into local markets, and what resources are best for a new operation. This tour includes Good Hope Farm in Cary and Red’s Quality Acre in Durham.

 

Networking Opportunities

Group socializing during the Local Food Feast at SACGroup socializing at SAC

With so many different people to meet and connect with, we understand that going to a large event as a newcomer can be intimidating. We try to make it easy to make valuable connections at SAC. Here are a few of the networking opportunities that would be particularly helpful for beginning farmers at this year’s conference.

  • Join CFSA staff for a special networking event for new attendees—a facilitated yet informal community-building session. This is a great opportunity to meet new folks, get to know others in the sustainable agriculture community, and find people to share a table with for the Local Food Feast! It takes place from 5:15-6:15 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 1.
  • Meet other farmers and food advocates in your region at the regional meetup. This gathering brings you and your neighbors together to discuss regionally-specific issues. At least one CFSA board member and a CFSA staff member will be there to listen and facilitate discussion about the issues that matter most to your section of the Carolinas. This is a great time to meet new people and continue your conversations at CFSA’s 40th Birthday Reception to follow! The meetup takes place from 5-5:45 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.

 

On a Tight Budget? Reduced Rate Tickets, Work Exchange, & Other Options Are Available

A work-exchange volunteer at SAC

If the full costs of SAC are not affordable for you, here are ways you can attend the conference even if you are on an extremely tight budget.

We offer options for reduced tickets. If you’re an apprentice or student actively enrolled in an academic program, you can get a reduced rate. See our full conference pricing here.

Consider doing a work exchange. This can reduce the cost of your attendance by up to $90, and you’ll get to collaborate with a team to help put on the conference!

Helping at the conference registration table

We’ve made it as easy as possible for you to carpool and share lodging at the conference. Rideshares are an incredible opportunity to minimize congestion, save on fuel, as well as have an opportunity to bond with other local, organic farm advocates!

“Pick one thing you’d like to attend. There’s a certain magic that happens at the conference and it is inspiring to be part of any piece of it.”

You don’t have to attend the whole conference. You can register for the day, for one of the 13 pre-conference intensives, for the Local Food Feast dinner and keynote, and more. See more opportunities here.

Mary Beth suggests that if you can’t afford to attend the entire conference, “then pick one thing you’d like to attend. There’s a certain magic that happens at the conference and it is inspiring to be part of any piece of it.”

 

Join Us at SAC 2019

A cob oven building workshop at SAC

Please join us in Durham, NC, on Nov. 1-3 to learn, share knowledge, and make valuable connections. Join a growing community of fellow farmers and sustainable ag advocates who are passionate about sustainable food systems.

Register Now! button