Field School
Join us for our Winter Business Intensive and/or our Summer Workshop Series.
CLICK Here to sign up for summer field school sessions!
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Summer Field School
an overview of small scale farming
Summer Field School runs from May to September. Each session includes a tour of a working farm, presentations from technical speakers, and opportunities for questions and networking. Many workshops will be hands-on. Participants can attend Summer Field School workshops a la carte, choosing from one session up to all eight. Discounts are available for those who pre-register for a bundle of classes. The Summer Field School is designed for new and beginning farmers, experienced farmers seeking to learn new skills, and anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of agriculture!
Summer Field School 2026 Schedule:
- Sunday, May 17th, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Field School Kickoff Potluck Party at Grand Oak Farm (Jonesborough, TN)
- Thursday, June 11th, 6p.m. to 8p.m.: Improving Soil Health on Your Farm at Rainbow Angus Farm (Piney Flats, TN)
- Thursday, June 25th, 6p.m. to 8p.m.: Appalachian Sustainable Development Hub Tour (ASD Campus, Duffield, VA)
- Thursday, July 9th, 6p.m. to 8p.m.: How to Become an Incubator Farm (Farm Bureau, Jonesborough, TN)
- Thursday, July 16th, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Rotational Grazing at Mike’s Farm (Greeneville, TN)
- Thursday, July 23rd, 6p.m. to 8p.m.: Niche Markets at Two Stones Farm and Mill (South Greene County,TN)
- Thursday, August 13th, 5 p.m. to 8p.m.: Basic Farm Skills Workshop at Grand Oak Farm (Jonesborough, TN)
- Thursday, August 20th, 6p.m. to 8p.m.: Season Extension and On-Farm Food Safety at Persephone’s Garden (Johnson City, TN)
- Thursday and Friday, September 17th and 18th, 10a.m to 3p.m.: Two-Day Disaster Preparedness, Learn about all the ways to plan ahead and prepare for natural disasters on your farm. (Rural Resources, Greeneville, TN)
Typical Topics Covered:
- Sustainable Livestock Production
- High Tunnels & Season Extension
- Fruit & Orchard Production
- Rotational Grazing
- Marketing
- Organic Vegetable Production
- Irrigation
- Biochar
- Soil Health Management
Participants will have the opportunity to explore various production methods and farming enterprises on farms that are thriving in East TN. They will also have the opportunity to meet peers and experienced farmers, gaining confidence and knowledge to fit their farm business needs.
Winter Field School
Winter Business Intensive (WBI) What’s Included?
- Classroom sessions held each winter on a variety of business, marketing, and financial planning topics.
- Presentations by agricultural experts from USDA Extension, NRCS, Farm Service Agency and more, plus experienced farmers providing an insider’s look into their operations
Who should attend?
- Beginning farmers looking to learn from local farmers and experts.
- Experienced farmers who are looking for new ideas or looking to expand their operations.
Tennessee Ag Enhancement Program (TAEP) Credits
The Field School Winter Business Intensive is accredited by the TN Department of Agriculture, so graduates can qualify for up to 2 Education Credits toward the Producer Diversification Cost-Share Program. Education credits are good for up to 3 years from the end of the class. We are the first non-UT program to be accredited! (Summer Field School does not qualify for Education Credits at this time.)
Workshop Dates & Topics
- Nov 7: Introductions & Getting Started
- Nov 21: Visioning Your Farm & Assessing Your Resources
- Dec 12: Farm Infrastructure & Natural Resource Plan
- Jan 9: Markets & Marketing
- Jan 23: Business & Financial Management
- Feb 20: Sustainable Production Planning
- Feb 27: Entrepreneurship & Risk Management
- Mar 13: Loans, Grants, & Support Programs
- Mar 27: Graduation Celebration and Presentation of Business Plans
Partners
We are so grateful to the partners who have already committed support, either through teaching or through financial sponsorship. Thanks to all UT Extension teachers, NRCS, FSA, TDA, to all farmers, and the 20+ professionals who will teach at the Field School over the course of the year. The ARCD’s Field School is supported by the Beginning Farmer and Ranchers Development Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Farm Bureau, provides classroom and kitchen space for us for free at their Jonesborough location.
Dana York Ensor, retired 2014 Associate Chief USDA-NRCS, has moved back home to Northeast Tennessee with ambitions to spend the next phase of her career training new beginning farmers in our region. Dana is the Field School’s Lead Facilitator and Curriculum Consultant. Having worked in the Chesapeake Bay watershed where nutrient management is lifeblood, her strength is coaching you to plow a straight row between cost-effective and conservation farming that leads to better soil, water quality, and profits.