Pennsylvania Farm Link, a non-profit organization dedicated to the linking farmers to the future, is sponsoring an eastern Pennsylvania workshop designed to help beginning farmers succeed in their farming endeavors. The Beginning Farmer Workshop will be held Saturday, Mar. 19 from 9:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Chester County Economic Development Council, Eagleview Corporate Center, 737 Constitution Drive, Exton, Pa.

Registration has been extended to March 12. Register online at www.pafarmlink.org or contact PA Farm Link at 717-705-2121. The $20 registration fee covers lunch and dessert.

Register for Pa. Farm Link beginning farmer workshop by March 12

It’s an excellent opportunity to network with other farmers, says Farm Link Executive Director Darlene Livingston. Perhaps the best part is that a panel of three farmers will share their experiences and answer questions.

On the menu
9:45 a.m.: Registration

10 a.m.: What’s available in business and market planning resources, presented by Amanda Knackstedt, Mid-Atlantic Farm Credit

10:40 a.m.: What you need to know about proper lease documents and leasing options, presented by Doyle, Stock & Leader, Attorneys at Law

11:25 a.m.: Land options available through Pennsylvania Farm Link’s database, by Michele Grove, Farm Link’s southeast coordinator

11:45 a.m.: Learn about AgConnect, a resource to help grow farm businesses in southeast Pennsylvania, presented by Jodi Gauker of the Chester County Economic Development Council

Noon: Lunch

12:45 p.m.: Breakout session 1

* Help available from the Farm Service Agency – Douglas Kilgore and Tiffany Lutz, USDA-FSA

* Insurance needs of farmers producing and selling food-grade crops – Jason Morrissey and Tim Morrisey, Morrissey Insurance

* Conservation & NRCS cost share programs – Beth Sassaman, USDA-NRCS

1:30 p.m.: Breakout session 2

* Crop insurance: How it works as a risk management tool – Michele Grove, Pa. Farm Link

* Help available from the Farm Service Agency – Douglas Kilgore and Tiffany Lutz, USDA-FSA

* Accounting and recordkeeping tools you need to have – Lori Oraschin and Jeff Yovanovich, Oraschin & Associates

2:15 p.m.: Dessert and farmer panel including Heidi Secord of Josie Porter Farm, Sue Miller of Birchrun Farm and Trey Flemming of Two Gander Farm

This workshop is sponsored by Pennsylvania Farm Link in collaboration with Agconnectpa, a public-private partnership to help farmers start, finance and grow ag businesses in southeast Pennsylvania. It’s made possible via a USDA specialty crop block grant.