"Countryside U" - Series of Workshops & Classes

The Conservancy offers a wide array of workshops, classes, and seminars In support of our vision to transform Northeast Ohio into a region of thriving community based farming and food entrepreneurs by 2020.  These workshops are intended to inspire, educate and mobilize the next generation of farmers and food producers, and equip Northeast Ohio citizens with the tools they need to put more local food on their families' plates.

• Exploring the Small Farm Dream – Is Starting a Farm Business Right For You?
  A self and resource assessment short course, guiding potential farmers through the process of determining their suitability to the rigors of farm life — classroom style with guest speakers and an optional farm tour.

• Classes for Active Farmers
  Workshops and Classes designed for intermediate and advanced level farmers.
  

• Your Farm Business: An Educational Series for Beginning Food and Farm Entrepreneurs
  Topics covered in this series of courses include researching and writing a farm business plan, securing start-up funding for a farm, and finding land to farm.

• Specialty Crop Production & Marketing Webinars
  Through a specialty crop block grant from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, Countryside Conservancy has partnered with Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association to provide webinars on advanced farm management, season extension and marketing.  Past webinars include: Improving Efficiency on Your Organic Farm; Building Mutually Profitable Relationships with Independent Chefs and Restaurateurs; and Advanced Weed Management Techniques

• Starting Your Own Vegetable Garden
  Do you love shopping at the Farmers' Market, and wish you too could grow some fresh tomatoes? Join fellow food lovers in a beginning gardening course.
  

• Networking Events & Tools
  Specific social gatherings organized to introduce farm seekers to farm owners. Initiate dialog, exchange information and ideas, and build relationships. 
  
  
• Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
  This day-long workshop is designed to acquaint farmers with the ins-and-outs of organizing a CSA on their farm. Topics include benefits and challenges of CSA farming, suggestions for planning and record keeping, member recruiting and education, opportunities for partnering with other farms, and pricing strategies.

• Cooking Classes (Youth & Adult)
  Junior chefs (ages 7–12) and adults will begin to cultivate and strengthen their culinary skills using the wealth of products available on Saturday mornings at the Countryside Farmers’ Markets' Howe Meadow location.