The Delaware Beginning Farmer Program is for new and beginner farmers working in small-scale vegetable and/or fruit production. Through hands-on training, demonstrations, workshops, field trips and farm tours, as well as self-study, growers will spend an entire season learning and growing with Delaware Cooperative Extension, and other invited agriculture industry professionals.

Although not limited to the following topics, this training will explore the fundamentals of soil fertility and health, basic crop production, integrated pest management, food safety, and business planning and development.

This training will also provide an excellent networking opportunity. Sessions are covered by one affordable registration fee of $75. Sessions are held at the University of Delaware Cooperative Extension office and Fischer Greenhouse on the University of Delaware campus.

Sessions are held at Fischer Greenhouse on the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources' campus in Newark, unless otherwise noted.

• Wednesday, September 11, 6-8 pm, Course Orientation, Soil Basics
• Saturday, September 14, 9-11 am, Greenhouse Production/Tour
• Wednesday, September 25, 6-8 pm, Variety Selection
• Wednesday, October 9, 6-8 pm, Small Farm Business Planning
• Saturday, October 12, 9-11 am, Field Trip to Against the Grain Farm at William Penn Farm
• Wednesday, October 23, 6-8 pm, Weed Identification and Management
• Wednesday, November 6, 6-8 pm, Integrated Pest Management: Insect and Disease Pests
• Saturday, November 9, 9-11 am, Plant Diagnostic Clinic, UD Fresh to You
• Wednesday, November 20, 6-8 pm, Small Animals
• Wednesday, December 4, 6-8 pm, Delaware Beginning Farmer Resource Panel with DDA, NRCS, Farm Bureau and others

If you have any questions about the program, please reach out to either Carrie Murphy cjmurphy@udel.edu or Nick Adams  naadams@udel.edu

University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, in accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact the office two weeks prior to the event. For additional guidance on creating accessible meetings and events, please reference this UD Office of Disability Support Services guide.