This February, Connecticut’s next generation of farmers are getting together for the first New Farmer Summit and Young Farmer Mixer. Born from conversations in the field and at the farmers' market, a small group of farmers decided to bring the next generation of Connecticut farmers together to meet peers from across the state. Organic or conventional, first generation or seventh, dairy, meat or vegetable producers; all are invited to this inaugural summit.
The summit is Friday February 11th at the 4-H Education Center at The Auer Farm in Bloomfield from 2-6pm. Following the summit will be a Farmer Mixer and Pizza Social, at the same location from 6-8:30pm. Delicious pizza from Farm to Hearth, local beers and refreshments will be served for a $5 donation.
The summit is designed for young and/or beginning farmers who are currently farming, either operating their own business or as employees of a farm (the USDA defines new farmers as farming less than 10 years and young farmer as 35 years old or younger). Participants in this summit should have at least two seasons full-time farm experience and plan to be mostly employed as a farmer in the future.
Registration is required and applications must be received by February 1st. Participants will receive registration confirmation by February 4th. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply early. The registration information provided by applicants will help to steer the conversation and activities for the summit. This event is participant -driven and all contributions strengthen the event’s objectives.
This summit is generously sponsored by UCONN Extension, Connecticut Farm Bureau Young Farmer Committee, CT Northeast Organic Farming Association, Jones Family Farm, Sepe Farm, Farm Credit East, Holcomb Farm CSA, Massaro Farm, Hurricane Farm, and more.
