Small- and mid-sized family farms have unique advantages over larger operations in being able to quickly adapt to new markets, having a positive image, and the ability help meet growing consumer demand for locally grown farm products. But how can smaller operations use these advantages?
“Sustainable Small-Acreage Farming and Ranching,” an award-winning 12-week course, can help. The course is being offered starting Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Cascadia Community College, 18345 Campus Way N.E. in Bothell. Washington State University’s Snohomish, Pierce, and King County Extension programs are sponsoring the course.
The classes will providing a broad overview of production and marketing options and strategies to help participants explore the unique advantages available to the smaller farm and ranch operations.
In this first in the “Cultivating Success” series of courses, weekly presenters will include successful local producers and university specialists with expertise in direct marketing, value-added processing, production planning, agronomy, livestock production, and more. Two Saturday field trips will visit nearby farms to learn about different styles of successful small farm enterprises.
Advance registration is required and class size is limited. The cost for the twelve-week course is $250 per farm or couple. To register, contact Karie Christensen at 425/357-6039 or at klchristen@wsu.edu.
For more information on the course, contact Andrew Corbin at corbina@wsu.edu or 425/357-6012.
More information on the entire “Cultivating Success” course series is available at www.cultivatingsuccess.org.
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