PRINCESS ANNE, MD – (August 5, 2019) – Several events associated with the UMES Socially Disadvantaged Groups Grant (SDGG) program is scheduled for the coming week for farmers and small businesses associated with farmers. The first event is an introduction to the newly created Single Point Farmers Portal that’s set to provide connectivity between key groups that are connected by small farming. Several on-farm demonstrations are scheduled that emphasizes tried and successful farming techniques that will improve a farmer’s profit level.
The Single Point Portal Training workshop is scheduled for Thursday, August 15. Two sessions are offered for the day. Session I begins at 10 a.m., and Session II will start at 1. The workshop will provide an introduction and overview of the Single Point Farmers Portal. Though the primary intended beneficiaries of this project are farmers, the system can benefit small businesses such as consultants, buyers of farm products, banks and various lenders, grant providers, and other facilitators engaged in supporting small agriculture. Session II is a repeat of Session I.
The second event is scheduled for Friday, August 16, and involves on-farm demonstrations that will showcase tried and successful farming techniques sure to improve a farmer’s profit level. A van will leave the Richard A. Henson Center at 9:15 a.m. for area farms. Detailed information about specific stops is forthcoming.
The SDGG program has sponsored several events, including several impactful listening sessions, Small Farm Conference sessions and a successful on-campus farmers’ market over the last year. The program, funded by the USDA Rural Development Business and Cooperative Program to identify individuals within SDGs who are interested in developing or expanding small businesses involved with the production and sale of various consumer products including, but not limited to, goats, sheep, yellow perch, fruits and vegetables. In addition to identifying such individuals, the grant supports technical training and assistance on various aspects of business development and business management.
For more information about or to register for the Single Point Portal Training, visit https://singlepointporttraining.eventbrite.com. For more information about or to register for the On-Farm Demonstrations, visit https://farmdemonstrations2019.eventbrite.com.
If special accommodations are needed to attend the events, please call 410-651-xxxx.
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Tanesha Hankerson, Agricultural Communications and Media Associate, School of Agricultural & Natural Sciences AgCom Office, 410-651-6196, tmhankerson@umes.edu
