Farm Business Workshop Series
This collaboration between Homer Folk School, Homer Soil and Water, and Alaska Farmland Trust is intended to give both new and experienced farmers the business skills they need to increase efficiency and profits for their farm. Take one workshop or take them all!
Permaculture for Farmers
Wednesday, February 7, 6-8:30pm at Alaska's Wild Emporium, $30
Permaculture looks to nature to help us design systems which give us more rewards for less effort. It is about efficiency planning and setting yourself up for success. Whether you are a new or existing farm, there is always opportunity to expand your yields. Take a few hours to consider how permaculture can help you build a better farm business through design.
About the Presenter: Saskia Esslinger is a certified permaculture designer and teacher as well as a regenerative entrepreneur. She is the director of Homer Folk School and trains garden teachers through teachgardening.com.
Looking for Land in all the Right Places
Thursday, February 8, 6-8:30pm, at Alaska's Wild Emporium, $30
In this evening course, Alaska Farmlink Program Director, Margaret Adsit will talk about the Alaska Farmland Trust's new program, the Alaska Farmlink Program and talk about the in's and out's of what you need to know about writing lease agreements between you and a landowner. Along with a template lease agreement for class participants to take home with them. This class is appropriate for both landowners and farm seekers.
Improving Profitability for Your Farm Business
Friday, February 9, all day at Kachemak Community Center, $75, includes lunch
Become aware of the factors that affect overall profitability, learn about options for keeping good records and understand the difference between cash flow and profitability. Learn strategies for building profit into your products’ prices as well as resources to further your learning. Get an overview in what you should know when filing your farm taxes.
About the Presenter: Longtime Alaskan, farmer, and business consultant, Bill Longbrake is no stranger to the challenges of farming. As current owner of Country Garden Farms- a sod and hay farm in Palmer, Alaska, Bill knows firsthand the challenges of attaining profitability for a farm. Bill has a bachelors degree in accounting and experience in most areas of business, but more importantly Bill understands the tips and tricks of setting up your record keeping to tell you about the financial health of your farm. Bill looks forward to helping you find answers to your toughest accounting questions. When not in the fields or managing business issues, you can find Bill with a grand-daughter on each knee.
Marketing: Retail, Wholesale, agri-tourism, and more
Saturday, February 10, all day, Kachemak Community Center, $75, includes lunch
Date: February 07-10, 2018 6:00 PM-5:00 PM
Location: Homer Folk Skill | 165 EAST BUNNELL AVENUE, Homer, AK 99603
Event website: homerfolkschool.org
