Agricultural producers can take advantage of UMES Extension’s MyFaRM initiative, a free program consisting of a series of classes taught by experts covering different aspects of farm risk management. The series kicks-off February 24 with a class on legal risk from 3-6 p.m. in the Richard A. Henson Center on the main campus of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
“MyFaRM presents an opportunity for Delmarva farmers to get comprehensive information and assistance with developing risk management plans that cover the needs of their individual farms,” said Nicole Cook, UMES Extension’s environmental and agricultural faculty legal specialist and instructor for the first class. “The goal is to help them better manage the risks associated with today’s farming businesses.”
A series of production risk classes are scheduled for March 8, by University of Maryland Extension educator and UMES alum Ginny Rosenkranz and April 7, by UMES Extension’s alternative crop specialist Dr. Nadine Burton. Both of the classes take place from 9 a.m.-noon at the Henson Center. A special full-day workshop is in the works for March 31 beginning at 10 a.m. at the Henson Center, followed by an off-site afternoon visit to Provident Farm in Bivalve, Maryland. Owner Jay Martin will lead a hands-on presentation on production risk related to his greenhouse and transplant business.
The final class, May 13 from 1-3 p.m. in the Henson Center, is on marketing risk. Dr. Theresa Nartea, an associate professor and extension specialist in agribusiness and marketing at Virginia State University, brings over two decades of experience working with small farmers to the discussion.