Exploring the Small Farm Dream
- Is Starting an Agricultural Business Right For You?

Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy (CVCC) is pleased to introduce Exploring the Small Farm Dream to Ohio. This highly regarded short course developed by the New England Small Farms Institute, has been extensively field tested in diverse contexts from New England to Virginia. CVCC anticipates offering the course annually or semi-annually depending on demand.

In this four-session course you will set personal and farming goals, assess available resources, determine if farming as a business is right for you, and develop an action plan to guide next steps. Along the way you will take a close look at the realities of working for yourself, in particular what it will take to own and manage a successful agricultural venture.

Who Should Attend
If you are thinking about starting an agricultural business, this course is designed for you. This includes people thinking about full-time farming, farming part-time while continuing other employment, changing careers to start a farm, taking over an existing family farm business, and/or developing an existing but informal agricultural pastime into a more serious business activity. Established farmers who are re-strategizing their businesses have also benefited from the course.

Lead Instructor
Janet Hahn, co-owner/operator of Sweetbriar Farm and Market in Garrettsville, Ohio. Sweetbriar is a 55 acre diversified organic farm, producing herbs, vegetables, grain, maple syrup, goat milk and meat, lamb, pork, and several value added products. Sweetbriar includes a CSA, an on-farm market, and participates in off-site farmers’ markets. Janet was an OEFFA organic certification inspector from 1993 to 1996. In 1992, following eight years as an engineer and training instructor for New York Telephone (New York City and the Hudson Valley), Janet returned to Ohio to care for her sick mother – and ponder a new career direction. Here she began exploring her own small farm dream – one that led to development of Sweetbriar Farm.

Fee
$100 for one individual; $150 for two people working on the same business idea. Fee includes workbook and additional handout materials. Fees have been kept low through contributions from CVCC.

Class Size
Limited to 12 businesses. One or two partners per business may register to participate as space allows.

Dates
The class will meet in Fall 2007, exact dates to be determined.

Location
Hines Hill Conference Center, 1403 Hines Hill Rd., located near the center of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, is easily accessible from I-77, I-80, and I-271.