We receive great feedback from our Field School students each year and we wanted to share some of them with any prospective students out there interested in pursuing their dream of farming! Thanks to funding from a USDA Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development...
Field School
2018 Field School Graduation Celebration
It’s hard to believe that our third year of the Field School is coming to a close already, but our graduation celebration will be on Thursday August 9 at 6pm at Grand Oak Farm in Jonesborough. This year, we had our largest enrollment yet, with 40 beginning farmers...
Sustainable Livestock Management: Field School April 21st
On Saturday, April 21st, Field School was held at John Abe Teague’s Farm in Telford. The topic of this session was Sustainable Livestock Management, with a focus on rotational grazing systems. Rotational grazing is an intensive pasture management system that rotates...
Sustainable Produce Production at Grand Oak Farm: Field School April 14th
On Saturday, April 14th, the Field School visited Grand Oak Farm in Jonesborough, TN, owned by Dana York. Dana’s family settled at this property in the 18th century, and she returned to revitalize it after retiring from a distinguished career with the NRCS. 2018 will...
Friday April 13 – Free film screening with local farmers in Elizabethton
As the average age of American farmers surpasses 60, a growing number of young Americans are leaving desk jobs for the rigors and rewards of farming. A new documentary, Farmers for America, examines young farmers’ challenges and triumphs, and a free public screening...
Counting Sheep at Clover Creek: Small Ruminants at Field School March 17th
On Saturday, March 17th, the Field School took a field trip to Clover Creek Farm in Jonesborough and enjoyed ruminating over small ruminants. Chris Wilson, the farm’s owner, shared her story of how she came to raise her flock of Katahdin/Dorper cross hair sheep. Chris...
Endless(ish) Summer and Season Extension in High Tunnels: Field School March 10th
March 10th’s Field School was at Harbin Hill Farms in Mountain City, TN, and we discussed season extension and year round growing using high tunnels. High tunnels (also called hoop houses) are unheated, plastic-covered structures that protect rows of in-earth planting...
Farmer’s Marketing: Field School Feb 8th
At February 8th’s Field School, we explored markets and marketing methods. A farmer panel of Adam Borden of Sunset View Farm, Jamie Dove of River Creek Farm and Main Street Pizza, and Rodney Webb of Salamander Springs Gardens discussed their personal experiences with...
Fun with Farm Finance
...may not be our sexiest Field School workshop, but getting a handle on your farm’s finances is crucial for the long term sustainability of your farm. A small farm is a small business! While financial planning may seem daunting, knowing what resources are available...
Thank You 2017
from Emily Bidgood, Executive Director Highlights and many Thank Yous to follow.... What an exciting year for us who have the privilege of working and volunteering through the Appalachian RC&D Council! This year has shown me that by working together with...