1114 Shawan Road, Suite 1, Cockeysville, MD 21030
(410) 549-7878
2018 Beginner Farmer Training Program
Level 1 Trainee Application
Applicant Requirements: We accept applicants from MD, DC, VA, WV, DE, and PA. For Level 1, no prior farm experience is required, but priority will be given to applicants who can demonstrate a strong interest and commitment to learning about sustainable agriculture for a full year.
Directions for Submission: Complete application packages must include:
1) completed application form (in Word format),
2) a cover letter,
3) resume,
4) a list of 3 work and/or educational reference
The deadline for applications is October 15, 2017. Please note that there are limited spots in the program and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We therefore encourage you to get your application in as early as possible.
All applications must be submitted by email to Sarah Sohn, BFTP Director, at: .
Name:
Farm name (if any):
Farm website & social media (if any):
Address:
Email:
Phone:
1. How did you hear about the Beginner Farmer Training Program?
2. What prior experience have you had either working on farms or doing related outdoor work such as gardening, landscaping, etc.? (Please include farm names, location, acreage, growing practices, and other relevant details.)
3. What are your top 3 learning goals in relation to farming for 2018?
4. How do you believe this program will help you achieve these goals?
5. Where do you hope to be with farming by the end of 2018?
6. Are you already gardening or farming? If so, please describe your growing efforts in more detail here (size of plot, crops you’re growing, whether you’re selling commercially, etc.):
7. Have you already attended any gardening and/or farming conferences, workshops, classes, field days, webinars, etc.? If so, please list:
8. Are you a beginning farmer at this point in time? (*The USDA defines a “beginning farmer” as someone who: a) has never operated a farm or ranch before, or b) has operated a farm or ranch for less than 10 consecutive years.)
☐ Yes
☐ No
9. Please indicate which farming sectors below you are most interested in receiving hands-on training in.
☐Vegetables
☐Fruit
☐Cut flowers
☐Permaculture/Agro-forestry
☐Livestock
☐Grains
☐Herbs
☐Value-added
☐Other (please specify):
11. What are the main benefits you are looking to gain from participating in the BFTP?
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Demographic Information (Optional):
Age
Gender
Marital Status
Race/Ethnicity
Limited Resource
Immigrant/Refugee
Non-English Speaking or ESL
Veteran
Disabled