By JANE HOUIN
Ohio Correspondent

PENINSULA, Ohio — More people seem to be interested in buying their food locally, from local producers. That’s why the Countryside Conservancy is hosting a short course on Exploring the Small Farm Dream this month.
With the number of farmers’ markets growing dramatically in the past several years, organizers say there is an increasing need and a wonderful business opportunity for more farmers to help meet the rising consumer demands for fresh, local food. This self-assessment short course, which begins July 11, will be the 10th at the Boston Store Visitor Center in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

“The market for local food and niche products is ripe,” said Katie Myers-Griffith, course instructor and Countryside Conservancy’s farmland programs coordinator. “We see a surge in demand and, honestly, supply is the issue.”
The workshop, developed by the New England Small Farms Institute, has been extensively tested in many contexts from New England to West Virginia. Myers-Griffith said it tries to keep the class size small for each course, limiting participants to around 12, and approximately 140 individuals have graduated from the course to date.

The four sessions will take participants through the process of setting personal and farming goals, assessing available resources, determining if farming as a business is right for them and developing an action plan to guide their next steps. Along the way, they will explore the realities of working for themselves, particularly what it takes to own and manage a successful agricultural venture.
“This course is fantastic,” said Beth Knorr, Countryside Conservancy’s farmers’ market manager. “It really introduces participants to the practical things they need to know and evaluate when determining if farming – as a business – is right for them. And Katie, with her wealth of experience, is an incredible guide.”
The course is specifically designed for individuals who have wondered about starting a farm or other agricultural business, including people thinking about full-time farming, part-time while continuing other employment, changing careers to start a farm, taking over an existing family farm business and/or developing an existing but informal agricultural pastime into a more serious business activity.

Established farmers who are re-strategizing their businesses have also benefited from the course. This is not a farm business planning course, but a precursor to farm business planning. “Participants can expect to leave the program and confidently answer the question: ‘Is starting a farm business right for me?’” said Myers-Griffith, who grew up on a produce and Jersey dairy farm in Lorain County, and now lives with her family on their farm near Shreve, Ohio.
“Some may leave answering yes, no or not now. It is really a self and resources assessment course. Do you have what it takes? Do you have the time, resources and energy? For many, it is a reality check!”

Some of the challenges facing potential small farmers are access to land and capital, and skills, said Myers-Griffith, who has been with the conservancy since September 2008. The course will be July 11 and 25 and Aug. 1 and 8, with an optional farm tour Aug. 15.

The course costs $100 for one individual or $150 for two people working on the same business idea. The registration fee includes a workbook as well as handout materials. There is also one scholarship available for a high school or college student interested in pursuing a career in farming.

For more information about the program or to request registration forms, contact Stephanie Webb at 330-657-2542 or by email at swebb@cvcountryside.org or visit the Countryside Conservancy’s website at www.cvcountryside.org