Organic Farming 101

This educational course for beginning and conventional farmers considering transitioning into organic production is offered yearly by FARRMS. Participants learn farm goal setting, financial planning, business plan development, organic farming techniques, certification requirements and marketing opportunities.

In addition to classroom instruction, on-farm field days give participants the opportunity to see innovative organic farmers demonstrate successful management techniques. The course is taught by a variety of presenters - established farmers as well as other agricultural professionals. This diversity of instructors provides a strong foundation of community resources, networks and contacts for participants.

The course is adapted from the Farm Beginnings® program developed by the Minnesota-based Land Stewardship Project. All Farm Beginnings® materials were developed by the Land Stewardship Project and are based on the experiences of their farmer-members. These materials are used by permission under license. For more information visit:
www.farmbeginnings.org

This program is funded in part by a Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant and the North Dakota Natural Resources Trust.

For more information about any of these services, contact FARRMS.

Click Here to view Organic Farming 101 brochure. (.pdf 294kb)

Organic Farming 101

Organic Farming 101 Class Picture

Organic Farming 101 2007-08 Participants from L to R (back row) Dick Lovestrand, Wayne Marmon, Jay Basquait, Bob Nelson, (middle row) Joy Faul, Dick Grotberg, Barb Price, Bonnie Palecek, (front row) Mary Mitchell, Linda Grotberg, and Brenda Marmon. Not pictured: Donna Bliss, Ross Gienger and Marte Holen-Stensli.


Course Dates/Location:
Currently, all Organic Farming 101 classes will be held in the FARRMS classroom in Medina.

The class will meet on Saturdays from 10 am – 4 pm.

The tentatively scheduled dates are:
Oct. 25, Nov. 8, Nov. 22, Dec. 6, Dec. 13, Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Feb. 7, Feb. 21, & March 7. March 21 will be an alternative class day incase of inclement weather.

Course Applications:
Course applications are now available for Organic Farming 101. Applications (.pdf) should be completed and mailed to FARRMS with a $50 non-refundable deposit by September 15.

Need-Based Scholarships:
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available for the Organic Farming 101 course. All applications for scholarships must include a general course application as well as the scholarship application materials (.pdf) and must be received in the FARRMS office by September 1st for consideration.

Steering Committee:
The members of the steering committee review the Organic Farming 101 curriculum, evaluation process and scholarship applications.

  • Virgil Dagman, Farm Business Management Instructor, Jamestown, ND.
  • Dwight Hofmann, Organic Farmer & Inspector, Medina, ND.
  • Rick Mittleider, Organic Farmer, Tappen, ND.
  • Karri Stroh, Organic Farmer & Inspector, Tappen, ND.