Farming 4-6 years

"The North Carolina Agriculture Cost Share Program helps address nonpoint pollution by providing technical and financial resources to prevent damage to our water resources from soil erosion, excessive fertilizer use, animal waste contamination, and improper use of agricultural chemicals.

"The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Agribusiness Development Office is conducting a pilot project to loan small batch dairy pasteurizers to specialty farmstead dairy producers in North Carolina.

Organic crop and livestock producers in selected states can be reimbursed as much as 75 percent of their certification costs, up to a maximum of $750.

A Journeypersons is a beginning farmer who has recently begun farming independently, whether on an incubator farm or through a different land use agreement, and makes their own financial, marketing and production decisions. NOFA-NJ works with Journeypersons to find mentors, obtain educational resources and create a business plan.

"This course is designed to help you test your ideas, explore new marketing opportunities, and develop a business and marketing plan specific to your farm. Participants will assess their resources, develop marketing strategies, understand financials, learn how and where to get funding for their businesses, and network with other farmers."