AGROpreneurship: Sonoma County Beginning Farmer & Rancher Development Program

Sonoma County UCCE received a three-year USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development grant through 2014, to provide training for beginning farmers and ranchers for the purpose of:

Increasing access to fresh local food
Growing more farmers and ranchers
Offering them an opportunity to farm on county lands

The program, with classes at Santa Rosa Junior College's Shone Farm, cover a range of farm and ranch operations, tools and resources, basic business planning, accounting, and finance.

There will also be hands-on time with our select "Master Farmers & Ranchers" who have a wealth of experience and wisdom to share. Participants will have the opportunity to visit Sonoma County farms and ranches to learn about seasonal farming and ranching activities.

Graduates who meet the required criteria will receive a certificate and have the opportunity to access affordable farm land. There is a desired outcome of 25% under-served participation, with specific outreach by our partner, Latino Service Providers.