The Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is recruiting participants for its Beginning Farmers Class, Dr. Henry English, director of the program, said.
“The Beginning Farmers Class is a part of UAPB’s Beginning Farmers Program,” Dr. English said. “The class consists of seven monthly workshops that start in February and end in September 2025. The training workshops are conducted on-site at the UAPB Farm.”
The workshops begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:30 p.m. The sessions will include hands-on training, farm business and farm management training.
“Participants will learn about the transplanting of vegetables, germinating seeds, potting containers and media, calibrating sprayers and planters, taking soil fertility and compaction tests, estimating forage and crop yields and much more,” he said. “The seven modules of the program consist of soils; pests and pest controls; U.S. Department of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension Service programs; conservation practices and programs; field tours (laying plastic mulch and farm equipment); farm business planning; and a program summary.”
Participants who complete the class will be assisted in developing conservation and farm business plans for their operations. Program staff will also be available to assist beginning farmers with their operations. Those who complete the course will also receive a certificate of completion and one year of farm managerial credit, which is required to obtain a Farm Service Agency operating loan.
For instructions on how to apply for the training course, contact the Small Farm Program at (870) 575-7225.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offers all its Extension and Research programs and services without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
