One of the obstacles that we face as we try to rebuild our local food system is that, in some cases, we do not have enough local production to meet the demand. Helping new farmers and ranchers, young or old, who are interested in producing local food and other agricultural products is one part of the solution. Many of the things that our communities can do to support new producers can also help existing producers increase production or move into meeting local food needs.
Here’s what’s underway:
- Growing Farmers Courses: Darrin Parmenter of CSU Extension periodically offers a course on the production and business planning basics for local producers either starting up or scaling up production. Contact Darrin for info on upcoming courses.
- Beginning Farmer Resources: Guidestone Colorado has an excellent list of regional to national resources on their Resource Links Page.
- Old Fort Market Garden Training & Incubator: The Old Fort at Hesperus is a growing and multi-faceted answer to farmer training in the Four Corners region. Welcoming everyone from college interns for brief summer experiences to incubator farmers ready to start a business, the Old Fort offers good (and challenging) growing conditions, supportive and knowledgeable staff, and rich resources for high elevation market farming.
