BEGINNING FARMER & RANCHER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR UPCOMING CFSA SUSTAINABLE CONFERENCE

Scholarship application deadline is Sept. 3, 2011.

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Scholarship program is designed to give new and beginning farmers and ranchers a low-cost opportunity to participate in Carolina Farm Stewardship Association's (CFSA) Sustainable Agriculture Conference Nov. 11-13, 2011 in Durham, NC.

The Sustainable Agriculture Conference is an unparalleled opportunity for beginning farmers to learn how to be successful in their sustainable farming enterprises. The conference has special programming for beginning farmers on basic farm planning, marketing, how to avoid common startup pitfalls, and applying for grants and loans for farmers. Other conference workshops cover cutting edge issues in sustainable agriculture, including organic weed and pest control, plant diseases, soil fertility, heritage livestock, food safety and processing, and direct marketing. All of it is essential information for new farms to thrive.

http://carolinafarmstewards.org/sac11.shtml

Scholarship recipients will be eligible to attend all regular conference activities, beginning with the dinner and evening program on Friday, Nov 11, and including all workshops, plenary sessions, meals and networking sessions taking place on Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday Nov. 13. The scholarship does not cover the pre-conference workshops and tours held on Nov. 11, or travel & lodging costs. The value of this scholarship totals $300.

Scholarship Eligibility: Up to 40 scholarships are available. For purposes of this scholarship program, a new or beginning farmer or rancher is defined as an individual who:* Has not operated a farm or ranch, or who has operated a farm or ranch for not more than 10 consecutive years, and* Will provide substantial day-to-day labor and management of the farm or ranch.

CFSA encourages minority farmers to take advantage of this scholarship. Fourteen of the 40 scholarships are reserved for minority farmers.

Scholarship Requirements: Recipients will be required to attend one of the two Basic Farm Planning workshops and cover the cost of their own lodging and travel expenses.

Scholarship Application Deadline:The deadline to apply for this scholarship is Sept. 3, 2011.

Scholarship recipients will be notified of award decisions by Sept. 23, 2011.

To Apply for the Scholarship, please complete the scholarship application and email to Cheryl Ripperton Rettie at cheryl@carolinafarmstewards.org. Please put Beginning Farmer Scholarship in the subject line of your email. Applications can also be submitted by postal mail; send your completed application to:
CFSA
c/o Beginning Farmer Scholarships
P.O. Box 448Pittsboro, NC 27312

Download Scholarship Application

.pdf - http://carolinafarmstewards.org/docs/2011_SAC_Beginning_Farmer_and_Rancher_Scholarship_Application.pdf

.doc – http://carolinafarmstewards.org/docs/2011_SAC_Beginning_Farmer_and_Rancher_Scholarship_Application.doc

This scholarship program is made possible by a grant from National Institute for Food and Agriculture and the National Center for Appropriate Technology, and we are grateful for this support.