A five-week course for farmers and those hoping to farm will begin March 2, 6–9 p.m., at the Farm Service Agency (FSA), 306 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough.

The course, So You Want to Farm in Maine?, continues every Thursday in March.

Participants will gain the knowledge and skills to start, adapt and maintain a profitable land-based business. Topics include evaluating farm enterprises, developing a business plan, assessing soil and other resources, record keeping and market research. Scheduled instructors for the course are UMaine Extension staff members Tori Jackson, Cathryn Kloetzli, Frank Wertheim and Jason Lilley, as well as guest instructors. 

This course is approved for FSA Borrower Training — educational training in financial and farm management concepts associated with commercial farming — and is required as a condition of eligibility for new loans for all FSA borrowers of both direct and guaranteed loans.

The $50 per person fee includes the text "Starting and Running Your Own Small Farm Business" by Sarah Beth Aubrey. Two members of the same household may attend for one fee, provided they share course materials. Register online (extension.umaine.edu/register/product/so-you-want-to-farm-in-maine-scarborough-march-2017). For more information or to request a disability accommodation, call 207.353.5550; kymnoelle.hopson@maine.edu.