I joined farmers, landowners and agriculture supporters at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s 11th annual small farm conference to network and learn about new opportunities and strategies that promote farm profitability and sustainability. It was especially helpful for people who have an interest in farming, but have little to no farming background.
As I witnessed, the conference attracts a large group and offers a variety of workshops to address the diverse interests of the participants. It offered three main tracks: alterative agriculture, farm business and marketing, and beginning farmers. I was most interested in the workshops directed more toward beginning farmers. My fist session “Accessing Land and Legal Considerations” was extremely informative. A panel of three speakers who were all involved in local agribusiness in some way presented information on land use, acquiring land or machinery, leasing land, importance of documenting agreements, and finally how to use land most efficiently. Similar to college lectures, the workshop gave me a chance to write down information that I found important to me and ask questions I had about the presentation. Unlike a college course, I could focus on what I wanted to learn and what I thought was important. I really enjoyed learning for a purpose.
After the first workshop, conference participants were treated to an impressive lunch, during which the small farm conference coordinator, Cindy Ayers Elliott, spoke about UMDES and its large influence on local agriculture.
I was very pleased with the conference even though it was not exactly what I was expecting. The conference was more professional and informative than I imagined. I thoroughly enjoyed meeting the different vendors who were set up at the conference and were eager to speak with me to learn more about my personal interests. The conference was a great source of networking where a student who is interested in local agriculture could meet many different people and businesses that have a role in local agribusiness. Along with getting a chance to network, the conference gave me the opportunity to learn more about the numerous paths beginning farmers can take to get started, and it opened the door to different resources available for beginning farmers. As a first year IAA student majoring in Agricultural Business Management the conference was extremely informative, great chance to network, and I’m glad I took advantage of this opportunity.
