Master Urban Farmer Training Program - Short Course
Thank you for your interest! Registration is now closed.
If you have any questions or would like to inquire about a waiting list, please contact Alexis Barnes at arbarnes@illinois.edu or 630-584-6166.
Master Urban Farmer Training Program: Short Course (KANE/DUPAGE/KENDALL)
Learn about gardening as a business or community project
Four-part online series | February/March 2025
Are you a great gardener and considering the leap to farming? Not sure on the next steps? This short course is designed for those with some food-growing experience who are ready to scale up and explore making this into a business or community food project.
Learn the basics of how soil quality impacts plant growth and how to assess and utilize available space to grow as much food as possible in urban context. You'll also be introduced to the concepts of designing a mission and vision for your farm and how to begin writing a formal, yet simple, business plan; in order to access funding sources to make your ideas actionable, tangible goals.
At the end of just four weeks, you’ll have identified some action steps to implement in 2025 and be prepared for the full 12-week MUFTP course, offered in Fall 2025. This program is great for teachers, community food system change makers, Master Gardeners, and even backyard growers ready to scale up your production, refine your systems, and formalize plans for success.
Meets online: 6 to 8 pm. Mondays, Feb. 17, Feb. 24, March 3, and March 10 (log-in details provided closer to the program).
Cost: $40
Feb 17: Begin Planning Your Urban Farm or Project
This session will cover the first steps you should take when planning an urban farm. You’ll learn the why and the how of designing vision and mission statements and of business planning. The principles apply whether you are planning a commercial farm, a non-profit farm, or a large community garden.
Feb 24: Basics of Soil
This session will highlight the basics of urban vs. native soils, soil quality and organic matter. You will learn the importance of soil management and its effects on vegetable production methods.
Mar 3: Site Assessment and Basic Production Planning
This session will outline the considerations needed when evaluating a new or existing site for urban agriculture. How to use tools like Google Earth and Web Soil Survey to assess your site, and spreadsheets to plan your production schedule and harvest forecast.
Mar 10: Finding and Planning for Start-up Funds
This session will cover how to make a realistic start-up budget and how to find and write small grants to cover some of your costs.
Space is limited and registration is required. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Extension Educator Alexis Barnes at arbarnes@illinois.edu or 630-584-6166. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.
TO REGISTER: Log in as a Guest by completing the form below, or log in with your Extension account if you have one (or want to set one up).