Applications Open for Hybrid Armed to Urban Farm

In partnership with the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), NCAT is bringing a unique hybrid model of their popular veterans’ urban sustainable agriculture training to Baltimore, Maryland in September and October 2021.

Armed to Urban Farm is usually a five-day, in-person training. It gives military veterans an opportunity to see sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and learn about urban farming as a career. In response to changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Armed to Urban Farm will be a hybrid of online sessions via Zoom and two days of in-person farm tours. Participants must commit to attending both the virtual and in-person sessions.

This hybrid Armed to Urban Farm will combine engaging online classroom sessions with in-person farm tours and hands-on activities. Participants will learn about whole-farm planning, farm financial planning, urban crop production, urban soils, marketing, and more. Participants will gain a strong foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable farming enterprise. In addition, attendees will join a nationwide network of supportive farmer-veterans and agricultural advisors.
In partnership with the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), NCAT is bringing a unique hybrid model of their popular veterans’ urban sustainable agriculture training to Baltimore, Maryland in September and October 2021.

Armed to Urban Farm is usually a five-day, in-person training. It gives military veterans an opportunity to see sustainable, profitable small-scale farming enterprises and learn about urban farming as a career. In response to changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Armed to Urban Farm will be a hybrid of online sessions via Zoom and two days of in-person farm tours. Participants must commit to attending both the virtual (on Zoom 5-7:00 pm the first four Wednesdays in September) and in-person sessions (Baltimore Oct. 4th and 5th).

This hybrid Armed to Urban Farm will combine engaging online classroom sessions with in-person farm tours and hands-on activities. Participants will learn about whole-farm planning, farm financial planning, urban crop production, urban soils, marketing, and more. Participants will gain a strong foundation in the basic principles of operating a sustainable farming enterprise. In addition, attendees will join a nationwide network of supportive farmer-veterans and agricultural advisors.

Instructors will include NCAT sustainable agriculture specialists and U.S. Department of Agriculture personnel. Attendees will also learn from producers experienced in an urban setting.

Veterans can visit https://www.ncat.org/atf_MD/ to complete an application by August 13, 2021.

The program is available to military veterans who are interested in starting an urban farm or who are beginning urban farmers (less than 10 years). All veterans are welcome to apply, but those from the Mid-Atlantic region will receive priority. Spouses and farming partners are welcome as well, but must submit separate applications. NCAT will notify selected participants by August 20.

Dates, Location, and Cost
Armed to Urban Farm’s online sessions will take place via Zoom from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Eastern on the following dates:
September 1
September 8
September 15
September 22

Participants may join the live Zoom sessions online or via phone. However, access to a computer, tablet, or mobile device and internet is required in order to watch recorded sessions and complete online assignments.

The in-person portion of the training will take place Oct. 4-5, 2021, in Baltimore, MD. Participants must be able to travel to Baltimore to meet in person. Lodging will be provided at the Hyatt Place Baltimore/Inner Harbor. The training will include short classroom sessions at the Hyatt and travel to urban farms in Baltimore for tours and hands-on activities.

The event is free for those chosen to attend; lodging, transportation to local urban farms, and most meals will be provided. Participants must pay their own travel costs to and from the event.

Hosts
NCAT and the USBG are partners in this program and will organize and host the Armed to Urban Farm online sessions and in-person event in Baltimore.

Questions?
Please contact Andy Pressman at andyp@ncat.org or (479) 587-3475.