Registration has been extended for a 12-week class that starts with the question: "So you want to be a farmer?"
Or a rancher. Or produce something from the land that would be direct-marketed to the public.
"It's a great way for people who are potentially interested in some small- acreage production to explore the idea and look at it from a number of different angles," said Lydia Clayton, who is horticulture agent and small farm educator with Nez Perce County Extension.
It could be livestock, canning, herbs, or any other thing with a connection to the land, she said. "It's really about developing a sustainable enterprise, with a focus on direct marketing." That will include looking at how to explore the market to see if there's a need or desire for the product.
Participants will receive a large resource notebook with information on all the topics, lists of resources, and work sheets to explore ideas about their small-farm enterprise.
Clayton's counterpart in Latah County, Cinda Williams, has been teaching a similar course since 2001.
The overall topic is sustainability, environmentally, economically and socially, Clayton said. Successful local producers and university specialists with expertise in direct marketing, value-added processing, production planning and other areas will be among the speakers. Three farm tours will give participants a look at different crop and livestock operations.
The cost is $100 for an individual or farm family, payable at the first class that will start at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 31. at Genesee High School. Prior registration is requested at either the Latah or Nez Perce counties' extension offices at (208)883-2267 in Moscow or (208)799-3096 in Lewiston.
With a couple of exceptions, classes will continue each Monday evening through Dec. 7.
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Lee may be contacted at
slee@lmtribune.com or
(208) 848-2266.
