Beginner Farmer Training Program: 2016 Application
Applicant Requirements: In order to be eligible for the Beginner Farmer Training Program (BFTP), applicants must have at least one season of hands-on farm experience. Applicants must also demonstrate a firm commitment to a career in sustainable agriculture, and must either already have access to land or be actively searching for land. We accept applicants from MD, DC, VA, WV, DE, and PA.
Directions for Submission: Complete application packages must include:
1) completed application form (in Word format),
2) a cover letter,
3) resume,
4) a list of 3 references (at least 2 references must be from a work setting; the third may be educational)
The deadline for applications has been extended to November 1, 2015. Applications must be submitted by email to to Sarah Sohn, Communications and Program Manager: .
First Name:
Last Name:
Address:
Home Phone:
Cell Phone:
Email:
1. How did you hear about the Beginner Farmer Training Program?
2. What prior experience have you had working on farms? (Please include farm names, location, acreage, growing practices, and other relevant details.)
3. What are your farming goals in the next 1-3 years?
4. What are your long-term farming goals (next 5-10 years)?
5. How do you believe this program will help you achieve these goals?
6. How do you plan to further your farming goals in 2016? (Please describe at least 3 concrete steps you plan to take in the coming year.)
7. Please provide an overview of your business and marketing plan for 2016:
8. Do you already have access to land for your farming enterprise? If so, please provide more details about your land, including ownership/lease arrangement, acreage, access to water/electricity, infrastructure, etc.
9. If you do not currently have access to land, please describe what steps you are taking to actively search for land. (To aid your search, we have compiled a list of land linking resources under our site’s “links” section.)
10. What investments have you made so far in starting to establish your farming career? (Examples include prior classes, books, memberships to farming organizations, tools, equipment, etc.)
11. Are you a beginning farmer at this point in time? (*The USDA defines a “beginning farmer” as someone who: a) has never operated a farm or ranch before, or b) has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10 consecutive years.)
☐ Yes
☐ No
12. Please indicate which farming sectors below you are most interested in receiving hands-on training in.
☐Organic vegetables
☐Organic fruit
☐Conventional vegetables
☐Conventionalfruit
☐Small livestock
☐Grains
13. Please tell us more about the reasons for your selections above, including any relevant knowledge and/or experience in those sectors.
14. Please select the training farms you wish to work with below. You may indicate more than one farm.
☐Flying Plow Farm (Cecil County, MD)
☐Cottingham Farm (Talbot County, MD)
☐Whitmore Farm (Frederick County, MD)
☐Summer Creek Farm (Frederick County, MD)
☐Calvert’s Gift Farm (Baltimore County, MD)
☐Oak Spring Farm (Baltimore County, MD)
☐Butterbee Farm (Baltimore County, MD)
☐Clagett Farm (Prince George’s County, MD)
☐Sassafras Creek Farm (St. Mary’s County, MD)
☐Colchester Farm (Kent County, MD)
☐Love Dove Farm (Howard County, MD)
☐Two Boots (Carroll County, MD)
15. Please indicate your schedule availability for on-farm training. You may select more than one option.
☐Part-time (1-4 days per week)
☐Full-time (5 or more days per week)
16. If you are available for full-time farm training, please indicate whether you would require room and board in order to participate.
☐Yes
☐No
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Demographic Information (Optional):
Age
Gender
Marital Status
Race/Ethnicity
Limited Resource
Immigrant/Refugee
Non-English Speaking or ESL
Veteran
Disabled