BEGINNING FARMER & RANCHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Scholarship program is designed to give new and beginning farmers and ranchers a low-cost opportunity to participate in the Carolina Farm StewardshipAssociation's (CFSA) Sustainable Agriculture Conference Oct 26-28, 2012 in Greenville, SC.  

The Sustainable Agriculture Conference is an unparalleled opportunity for beginning farmers to learn how to be successful in their sustainable farming enterprises.  The conference has special programming for beginning farmers on basic farm planning, marketing, how to avoid common startup pitfalls, and applying for grants and loans for farmers.  Other conference workshops cover cutting edge issues in sustainable agriculture, including organic weed and pest control, plant diseases, soil fertility, heritage livestock, food safety and processing, and direct marketing.  All of it is essential information for new farms to thrive.  

Scholarship recipients will be eligible to attend all regular conference activities, beginning with the dinner and evening program on Friday, Oct. 26, and including all workshops, plenary sessions, meals and networking sessions taking place on Saturday, Oct. 26 and Sunday, Oct. 27. The scholarship does not cover the pre-conference workshops and tours held on Friday, Oct. 26, or travel & lodging costs.  The value of this scholarship totals $300.

 

Scholarship Eligibility: Up to 40 scholarships are available.  For purposes of this scholarship program, a new or beginning farmer or rancher is defined as an individual who:

* Has not operated a farm or ranch, or who has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 consecutive years, and

* Will provide substantial day-to-day labor and management of the farm or ranch.

* CFSA encourages minority farmers to take advantage of this scholarship.  A portion of the 40 scholarships are reserved for minority farmers.

Scholarship Requirements: Recipients will be required to attend one of the two Basic Farm Planning workshops and cover the cost of their own lodging and travel expenses.  

Scholarship Application Deadline:
The deadline to apply for this scholarship is Aug. 15, 2012.   Scholarship recipients will be notified of award decisions by Sept. 5, 2012.  Those applicants who do not receive the scholarship will be eligible to register for the Conference at the low early bird rate for students and apprentices.  

Download Scholarship Application -  http://www.carolinafarmstewards.org/sac-support/

For More Information: Email info@carolinafarmstewards.or with "Scholarship" in the subject line.

This scholarship program is made possible by a grant from National Institute for Food and Agriculture and the National Center for Appropriate Technology, and we are grateful for this support.