Seminar will offer bio-intensive techniques to farm efficiently, productively and profitably in 2018.
Craftsbury Common, VT — January 9, 2018 — Designed for small-scale and aspiring farmers, renowned author, farmer and educator, Jean-Martin Fortier will return to Sterling College February 2-3, 2018 to teach a class on successful and lucrative farming. Fortier will share tools, techniques and inspiration for setting up a holistic farm, bio-intensive crop production, and profitably bringing a product to market.
Globally recognized as a leader in small-scale organic farming, Fortier’s micro farm, Les Jardins de la Grelinette in Quebec utilizes bio-intensive crop practices and low-tech farming methods to demonstrate efficient, high-yield, and profitable agriculture. Les Jardins de la Grelinette actively cultivates 1.5 acres, grossing more than $100,000 per acre.
“Jean-Martin’s model aligns with trends toward smaller farm sizes, community-based agriculture systems, and increased demand for locally grown food,” said Heather Jerrett, Director of Continuing Education at Sterling College. “He brings both instruction and vision for what the farm of tomorrow could look like, and how it can be profitable.”
The Market Gardener 2.0 begins Friday, February 2 with a seminar on bio-intensive farming techniques including crop rotation, nutrient management, and working with living soils, as well as inspirational discussions about Les Jardins de la Grelinette and Fortier’s newest endeavor, Ferme des Quatre-Temps. Participants will learn about tools to improve efficiency, review standard operating procedures to achieve consistency, and discuss navigating markets to make informed decisions about pricing and sales.
Saturday morning, Fortier will facilitate a small group round-table on finding niche markets, maximizing profits, and budgeting for success. Limited to 15 attendees, each participant will have the opportunity to troubleshoot areas of interest specific to their farm and gain valuable insight from their peers.
This course is co-sponsored by the Center for an Agricultural Economy and the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont (NOFA-VT) and is offered through The School of the New American Farmstead at Sterling College, which aligns continuing education classes with the school’s undergraduate focus of environmental stewardship and experiential learning. Generously underwritten by Chelsea Green Publishing, Vermont Creamery, and the Cellars at Jasper Hill, the School of the New American Farmstead offers workshops and professional development opportunities that support sustainable farmstead models.
For more information including a full schedule of continuing education classes, or to register, please visit www.sterlingcollege.edu/snaf or call (800) 648-3591. Registration is limited.
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ABOUT STERLING COLLEGE
Founded in 1958 in Craftsbury Common, Vermont, Sterling College is the leading voice in higher education for environmental stewardship and rural placed based education. The College was among the first colleges in the United States to focus on sustainability through academic majors in Ecology, Environmental Humanities, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, and Outdoor Education. Sterling is home to the School of the New American Farmstead and the Wendell Berry Farming Program, is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and is one of only eight federally recognized Work Colleges in the nation.
MEDIA CONTACT
Katie Lavin, Office of the President, Sterling College
802.586.7711 x111 • [email protected]
