I am looking into post-seondary schools that offer distance learning and one popped out at me... it offers a certificate in general agriculture and the fees are very reasonable.
I have been talking myself out of getting a real farm (with livestock to sell at market etc) lately because I have no experience and just a desire to learn. I did not grow up on a farm and figured I would never be able to figure out all the ins and outs of farming.
When I started looking for a course it was because I wanted to see if there was a way to learn the things about feeding, lambing, organic growing and raising without being completely on my own.
Is farming something you can learn from a course or am I just fooling myself?
"Everybody likes to go their own way--to choose their own time and manner of devotion." Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22944 Posts
Posted - Nov 14 2008 : 1:44:10 PM
Tracy- there is a lot that you can learn "book learning" so to speak. But at some point you do need to take it beyond the pages of the book and learn in a real farm environment. I would suggest taking the course and also finding a local farm that could use some help with the understanding that you want to learn from them as much as possible.
There is nothing like hands on working in the dirt, wrangling critters and all that fun stuff. Can't get that from a book. It sure does help, though, to have a little knowledge when it comes to a sick goat or cow. I always panic. But practice and lots of it is a good thing.
If there is a working farm nearby that offers apprentisships, I'd recommend that first. See if it's really what you want to do. Sometimes you see other people's nice pretty places and think yours will be that way and then all hell breaks lose and I think I'm talking about myself now. I do wish I had done that.
Is it just yourself or do you have a family? I sure wish you lived closer, you could come live here awhile. I have a guest house that's empty at the moment. You'd really see then how a small farm works and what it's like before you jump in yourself. Come on over!
Farming school
Posted - Nov 14 2008 : 1:37:28 PM
