Flexible training for new vegetable farmers in Connecticut - Land-Grant Impacts

a person checking on lettuce crop

Flexible training for new vegetable farmers in Connecticut

Agricultural Systems, Story 2024, Connecticut, Crop Management, Extension, Northeast, Pest Management, Profitability/Competitiveness, University of Connecticut

In Connecticut, new and beginning vegetable farmers are frequently first-generation farmers who also juggle off-farm jobs. These farmers need flexible training and support to build a thriving business that remains economically viable.

To support these farmers, UConn Extension has developed an online, asynchronous vegetable production certificate course for farmers who have less than three years of experience growing vegetables. Participants learn the basics of farm business planning, preparing to farm, warm and cool season vegetable production techniques, season extension and marketing. The course is divided into seven modules that each contain a self-paced video, supplemental materials and a short quiz.

The course has been held each year since 2020. In 2023, 53 students enrolled in the course and most indicated that their knowledge increased an average of 80% after participation in the course.

View the full statement on the NIDB.

Project supported by Smith-Lever (3b&c) funds and state appropriations.

Related Posts

sheep in a field

Livestock education programs result in $1.5 million in savings

People need protein in their diet to maintain health. The Pennsylvania State University Livestock Extension team offered an array of educational programs to help [...]

tomato plants growing on a windowsill

Indiana urban farming project teaches city dwellers how to grow food

When large grocery stores move out of urban areas, fresh fruits and vegetables become harder for city dwellers to access. In Gary, Indiana, only [...]

soybean crop

New online tool facilitates information sharing for North Carolina farmers

North Carolina State Extension agents have their fingers on the pulse of statewide crop performance and emerging problems, often spotting regional patterns that are [...]

scientist in a blackberry field wearing a device with finger nodules for picking blackberries

Building a better blackberry picker

Labor is among the biggest expenses for U.S. fruit growers — 39% of production costs for fruit and tree nuts — and farm wages [...]

woman raising her hand in a classroom

Latino families in Indiana get help navigating community life through Extension program

In Daviess County, Indiana, the Hispanic and Latino share of the population has grown by 60% since the 2010 Census was taken. These residents, [...]

a person's torso and hands, holding a cellphone

Gaining real-time insight on food insecurity

Social media is a great tool for immediate feedback on emergency situations. To gain an understanding of issues surrounding access to adequate food and [...]

a scientist shows off a potato in a field

Breeding spuds to take the heat

Heat waves are becoming more common, and common crops are struggling to keep up. One problem is a photosynthetic glitch known as photorespiration, which [...]

drone flying overhead

Researchers develop learning approach for drone-based surveillance, scouting

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) aid farmers in crop disease management, field scouting and pesticide applications. UAS has the unique ability to gather aerial imagery [...]

tomatoes on the vine

Optimizing nutrition for tomatoes enhances economic returns to growers

Nutrient deficiencies and excess can reduce tomato crop productivity, harvest quality and economic return. Mississippi State University Extension researchers evaluated nitrogen application rates in [...]

a tractor spraying pesticides

Farm pesticide training program decreases drift complaints in Georgia

For many family farms, pesticides provide the foundation for effective pest management. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s pursuit of protecting endangered species in accordance [...]