Growing Farmers Training Programimg_5040-crop-squint

Note: We are accepting a small number of new farmers for 2023. Contact agerdes@familyservicelincoln.org for more information.

Community Crops provides training, technical assistance and land access to beginning, immigrant and limited-resource farmers. Our goal is to help people create sustainable farm businesses to feed their families and their community.

Growing Farmers Workshop Series – 2022 Update

There will be no Growing Farmers Workshop Series in winter 2022-2023. We are accepting a small number of new farmers for 2023. Contact agerdes@familyservicelincoln.org for more information.

All participants in the Core Skills program will leave with the ability to manage plants in a greenhouse environment, succession crop plan for continuous harvest, assess soil health with a microscope and other methods, manage business expenses, develop effective record keeping systems, and much more!

The Savilles, 2014 Growing Farmers participants, shared that “Community Crops has allowed us to slowly become immersed in the farming world without the large initial expense required when beginning a new business. Crops has also been a great resource for organic growing information and networking opportunities. They have given us a multitude of educational opportunities and without them we would not be in our first year of business.”

How can this workshop series help you?

Here is what some of our recent participants have said:

“It has given me a realistic picture of how small-scale organic farming works and given me the tools to start my own market farming business. I am now confident I can at least get started”

“I am so glad I took this class. I can’t imagine trying to start and not have the information that was provided.”

“Really opened my eyes to what it takes to be a market farmer.”

Do you dream of beginning your own small farm? The Growing Farmers workshops will help you learn the planning and production skills you need to start a market farm business. Learn from experienced growers, Extension educators and business experts about sustainable vegetable production.

More Information

Registration for the Core Skills workshops is $20 per workshop. If you enroll in all 10 of the Core Skills workshops the cost is $150. A couple can enroll in all 10 classes for $200. Scholarships are available for those requiring financial assistance.

Included with your enrollment are printed resources and light refreshments and snacks during the workshops.

For more information: contact us at 402-474-9802 or mmcguffey@familyservicelincoln.org.

Learn more about starting your own small farm in our FAQ.

Community Crops Graduates Searching for Land

Since 2005, Community Crops has been supporting beginning farmers as they start new farm businesses. However, our training program is only three years long, and our program graduates need space to expand their growing operations! Are you or interested in supporting the next generation of farmers by leasing or selling your land in or near Lincoln? Most graduates are looking for one to two acres of flat land with access to water.

Contact the Crops office at 402-474-9802 or email mmcguffey@familyservicelincoln.org if you have any information on land that would meet our graduates’ needs.

Farm Beginnings

Another opportunity for beginning farmers is the Farm Beginnings® course, an educational training and support program designed to help people who want to evaluate and plan their farm enterprise. This course is appropriate for those who want to transition their existing farmland or who are focused on larger livestock. More details.