Skip to main content

NC State Extension

Resources for New and Aspiring Farmers

en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲

The best way to learn how to farm is to gain hands-on experience by working on a farm, participating in an internship or apprenticeship program, or leasing land on a farm incubator. If you are not able to do that at this time in your life, consider visiting as many farms as you can on farm tours. In addition, workshops, conferences, farm schools, and short courses can also provide valuable information, perspective, and resources to ground the development of your farm aspirations. Here is a farming self assessment that you can use to gauge where you are in the farm start-up process.

Although it is exciting to think about starting a farm, farming is hard work and it’s often easier in theory than it is in practice. That said, if you’re committed, persistent, and patient, building a small farm from the ground-up can be achievable and rewarding. Below are some NC State Extension programs for beginning farmers, as well as programs from some of our partner organizations.

NC Farm School

A program of NC State Extension, North Carolina Farm School (NCFS) is a business planning program for aspiring, new, or transitioning farmers. N.C. Cooperative Extension agents, farmers, and university specialists play a key role in advising the work of NCFS in the state and providing guidance for the program. Starting a farm should be a strategic process and knowing what to do first and where to apply your time is important. We help you by investing intentional time and support to help you develop your ideas and take the next step. NC Farm School is a think-plan-do program.

NC Small Farm Bootcamp

Whereas NC Farm School focuses more on strategic and business planning for farms, with the goal of creating a business plan, NC Small Farm Bootcamp focuses more on-farm production methods. The program has several different modules, including soil science, integrated pest management, and post-harvest handling, as well as other specialty modules.

NC Farm Planning Portal

The NC Farm Planning Website is a one-stop-shop for information on starting a farm, with information on a variety of tax and cost-share programs as well as regulations you should consider when planning your farm.

Other Resources

Farm Employment

NC FarmLink

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture Labor Link

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Job Board

Apprenticeships

Center for Environmental Farming Systems Apprenticeships

ATTRA Internship Listing (Filter by state)

Mentorships

Value of Mentorships for Early-Career Farmers (web article)

Organic Growers School Mentor Services

Incubator Farms in NC

In partnership with the NC Local Food Program Team, NC FarmLink conducted surveys and interviews with farm incubator programs across North Carolina throughout 2023-2024. The results have been published in a farm incubator document for farmers, aspiring farmers, and those considering starting an incubator program. Incubator programs are diverse in their mission, goals, funding, structure, and capacity. We believe there is something to be learned from the wonderful incubator programs in this document, and they prove that incubator programs are not one-size-fits-all. For those interested in working with one of the farms or to learn more, you can contact each farm directly or contact us for general questions at info@ncfarmlink.org.

Incubator Farms in NC

Farm Incubators List

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association’s Lomax Farm Concord NC

Breeze Farm Orange County NC

Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Asheville, NC

Good Hope Farm Cary, NC

Patterson School Foundation Incubator Program Caldwell County, NC

Golden Organic Farm Pinetops, NC

Piedmont Community College Caswell County, NC

MICDC Incubator Forsyth County, NC

FIG Farm Boone, NC

Veterans Farm of NC Cameron, NC

Foothill Conservancy Incubator- Morganton, NC

Farm Schools

NC Farm School

Organic Growers School – Farm Beginnings

Appalachian Farm School

Community Colleges: Many NC Community Colleges offer agriculture courses and degrees.

NC Ag Institute: A two-year degree program through NC State University with many different majors and concentrations.

Workshops & Conferences

Check N.C. Cooperative Extension for events near you.

ASAP Business of Farming Conference

Center for Environmental Farming Systems Lunch and Learns

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association Event List

Farm Tours

ASAP Farm Tour (ASAP)

Piedmont Farm Tour (CFSA)