Agriculture Information

Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching Class

12 week course beginning September 13, 2005 Meets Tuesday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. Please contact the Extension Office for registration forms. Registration closes September 2. Class fee: $125
Partial scholarships are available.

This class examines your farm resources (land, structures, equipment), your financial resources, and your family resources and goals. At the conclusion of this course you will have a farm plan detailing production systens, marketing options and financial management. You will consider your quality of life goals to see how the farm can be designed to support and enhance these goals.

Practical information about whole farm planning, ecologically-based, diversified production systems, and alternative marketing techniques. Gain knowledge of the practical aspects of sustainable small acreage production systems for a wide variety of enterprises. The course involves field trips to local farms as well as classroom instruction. Topics include

· Integrated soil fertility management and composting

· Integrated pest management

· Livestock and poultry production

· Crop planning

· Whole farm planning

· Evaluating personal and family goals

· Researching marketing and community resources

Agriculture and Natural Resources

The Stevens County office is committed to developing a community-based food system that gives local citizens an option to buy local products and gives local farmers an opportunity to make a reasonable profit. The range of products we have in mind goes from fruits, vegetables, and herbs through poultry and livestock products. We are currently working on two projects that help to create this system: a community kitchen and a mobile poultry processing unit. We encourage sustainable production systems that enhances biological activity in the soil. We offer an extensive courses in developing or improving an agricultural enterprise including production, marketing and financial management.