Farmers can still take advantage of new UMES Extension free farm risk management classes through the spring

Local farmers can still take advantage of University of Maryland Eastern Shore Extension’s MyFaRM initiative, a free program consisting of a series of classes covering the aspects of farm risk management. 

The spring line-up starts on March 8 at the Henson Center with the first of two production risk classes and continues on April 7 on the UMES Education and Demonstration Farm, both are from 9 a.m. to noon.  Marketing risk is the final series meeting on May 11 from 3-6 in the Henson Center and in June on a date to be determined to coincide with the UMES Extension Small Farm Program‘s Marketing Bus Tour.

“The MyFaRM program presents an incredible opportunity for Lower Eastern Shore farmers to get comprehensive information and assistance in developing risk management plans that cover the unique needs of their individual farms,” said Nicole Cook, UMES Extension’s environmental and agricultural faculty legal specialist.  “The goal is to help them better manage the risks that come with farming in today’s world.”

Registration is available by visiting https://myfarmfinancialrisk1.eventbrite.com .  All classes will follow COVID-19 public health requirements for the safety of participants.

MyFaRM instructors include experienced educators from the Agriculture Law Education Initiative, UMES Extension, University of Maryland Extension, Virginia State University, the Maryland Agricultural & Resource-Based Industry Corporation, MidAtlantic Farm Credit and other industry experts, Cook said.   Farmers with experience in diversifying their farms and developing niche markets for their products will also be presenters.

“Farmers can attend any of the series of risk classes most pertinent to their operations, however a core group of participants who commit to attending at least eight out of the 10 classes will qualify for other free opportunities through fall 2021, namely, the UMES Small Farm Marketing Bus Tour, the 2021 Small Farm Conference and other tours, field demonstrations and workshops,” Cook said.

For more information about the MyFaRM program, assistance in registering for classes, or to get an application to be in the core group of farmers, contact Nicole Cook at nlcook@umes.edu or by calling 410-651-6182.

The MyFaRM (Mastering Farm Risk Management) project is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture under award number 2018-70027-28588.

Gail Stephens, agricultural communications and media associate, School of Agricultural & Natural Sciences, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, 410-621-3850, gcstephens@umes.edu.

Photo by Todd Dudek, photographer/videographer, agricultural communications, UMES Extension, tdudek@umes.edu.