Annual New Farmer School
The nuts and bolts of FArming in New Hampshire
New Farmer School 2026 Registration
Registration is full. Please reach out to Caroline Beaton to inquire about joining this course.
Learn the Fundamentals of Farming and Agricultural Business Management in NH
If you are starting a farm or growing a small agricultural business in New Hampshire, New Farmer School is designed to help you build a strong foundation for success. This multi-session farming course provides practical training for new and beginning farmers across New Hampshire.
Participants will gain hands-on knowledge in farm business planning, crop and livestock production, site and soil evaluation, food safety, agricultural marketing, farm infrastructure, and financial record-keeping. Each session builds on the previous one, creating an introduction to agriculture and small farm management.
New Farmer School also offers valuable networking opportunities with experienced New Hampshire farmers, agricultural service providers, and Extension professionals who understand the challenges and opportunities facing new farms today.
Course Structure
The course includes eight total sessions offered through a combination of live Zoom classes and in-person, on-farm sessions throughout New Hampshire.
While virtual sessions are recorded for future viewing, live participation is strongly encouraged to maximize learning and engagement. In-person sessions provide valuable opportunities to connect with fellow beginning farmers, tour farms, ask questions, and learn directly from experienced growers and agricultural professionals.
Who Should Attend?
This course is ideal for:
- Anyone interested in starting a farming business in New Hampshire, including those interested in selling fruit, vegetables, flowers and other specialty crops, eggs, dairy and meat products, value added products, and more!
- Beginning farmers in New Hampshire who have recently started a farm business.
- Market gardeners or homesteaders looking to scale up and start selling their products.
- Farmers who are interested in learning what support networks and funding opportunities exist for NH farmers.
Registration and Cost
- $250 for an individual
- $450 for a pair from the same farm
Space is limited, and registration will remain open until the course reaches capacity.
Start building your farming future with New Farmer School.
Explore Our New Microcredential
Individuals can earn this microcredential by collaborating with experienced farmers and Cooperative Extension staff to develop a practical, start-up plan for an agricultural business. Earners learn to align agricultural operations with personal and family goals while building skills in farm design, production planning, financial management, branding, market positioning, pricing strategies, channel selection, and the use of balance sheets and other basic financial tools to make informed business decisions. Badge earners are prepared with an operational farm plan grounded in real-world feedback, positioning them to launch as agricultural enterprise.
For more information, please contact Caroline Beaton.
Interested in other learning to farm opportunities? Subscribe to our Beginning Farmer Newsletter to stay up to date on workshops, opportunities, events and more!
2026 Schedule
- August 12: In-person, 6: 00 - 8:00 p.m. | Concord, NH | Whole Farm Planning, Tech Support, Course Overview
- August 19: In-person, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Grafton & Coos County | Site & Soil Evaluation, Farm Infrastructure & Equipment
- September 2: Zoom Session, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Production Records & Scheduling
- September 16: In-person, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Sullivan County | Food Safety & Biosecurity
- September 30: Zoom Session, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Enterprise Budgeting & Cash Flow Budgets
- October 14: In-person, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. | Strafford County | Markets & Marketing
- October 28: Zoom Session, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Financial Statements
- November 11: Zoom Session, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Course Wrap-up & Next Steps
It is expected that participants will attend all sessions. If necessary and arranged in advance, class materials and make-up work can be given to participants who cannot attend a session.
Download the course expectations
Questions? Reach out to the New Farmer School course administrator, Caroline Beaton.
Contact your Extension Course Instructors:
Technology:
- Technology needed for this course includes internet access, the ability to participate in video conferencing sessions, word processing and spreadsheet software, and the ability to read pdf files.
Scholarships:
- A limited number of scholarships are available for those with financial need. For help with technology, scholarships, or other accommodations please contact Caroline Beaton at least 10 business days prior to the course start date
