PA Veteran Farming Network Beginning Farmer Field Day

Friday
June 9, 2023
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
The PA Veteran Farming Network is hosting a workshop for beginning/newer farmers at Gracedale Farms, Collegeville, Montgomery County, on Friday, June 9th. 
 

Host Austin Lamac and his family supplement their income with diversified sales of fruit, vegetables, eggs, pumpkins and firewood from their 10 acre property. Austin and our guest presenters will share lessons learned and information for new farmers to get started on the right foot.

 

What attendees will see and learn about:

Gracedale Farm’s high tunnels, outdoor garden, and chickens.

How to learn from mistakes to build a better farm operation.

Pumpkins for profit

Pros/cons of an honor stand.

Compost production with chickens.

Insurance for hobby farms

 

Farm accounting legitimate farming expenses: Kelsey Feeg of Horizon Farm Credit. 

Integrating USDA programs into your business plan: USDA Beginning Farmer Coordinator for PA Michael Sherman

Business planning basics: Jodi Gauker of Chester County Economic Development Council’s AgConnect

Beekeeping Q&A with Navy veteran Dan Boylan, President of the Montgomery County Beekeepers Association

 Networking lunch following the field walk.

With funding from the USDA Office of Partnerships & Public Engagement, this workshop is free, but registration by June 6 is required: https://www.troopstotractors.org/event-details/beginning-farmer-workshop or scan the QR code.