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Growing Farmers In The Heart of Appalachia

The Farmer and Rancher Mentoring Program is the regions first on-farm internship opportunity for beginning farmers.

If you’re interested in participating, view the mentor profiles and complete the registration form.


2023 Mentor Profiles


On Farm Internships

200 Hours of Hands-On Learning

Beginning farmer interns will work closely with their mentors on-farm for a minimum of 200 hours. Interns and Mentors will log their time and submit to Jenni Roop.

Intern Blogging

FARM Interns are required to submit at least 2 blogs during their time on the farm. This is a great tool for tracking their progress as well as sharing their experience with others.

Individual Learning Goals

Mentors and Interns work together to develop individualized learning goals intended to inform lessons learned on the farm. These written goals serve as a road map to guide them through the growing season.


Blogs from the FARM

March Madness

March madness has a different meaning for the farming community. March is when all of…

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Happy FARMing!

The struggle was real… It’s a bit surreal that our first cohort of mentors/interns are…

Read More

Click here to read more blogs from the FARM.


Other Agriculture Education Programs and Opportunities

The Producer Pathway was created in 2021 to help local farmers and gardeners of all skill levels understand the programs we offer and how we can help based on the knowledge they currently have and their educational goals. Explore the Producer Pathway and find out more about what programming is right for you.

View our Programs | Check out our Resources| Complete the Intake Survey

Are you ready to start a new farm or expand your operation?

The Field School is a beginning farmer training program created by our partners in Northeast Tennessee, Appalachian RC&D. Now we are working together to expand the program to SWVA. Sessions will include business planning, finances, and marketing all geared toward helping beginning farmers create sustainable and profitable small farms. The Field School is made up of two sessions: the Summer Field School and the Winter Business Intensive.

Contact Jenni Roop | Learn more about the Field School

Sign up for the Ag Education Newsletter!

Get news, updates, and learning opportunities offered by our Ag Education efforts directly to your inbox!

Supporting Veterans in Agriculture

We strive to offer educational, networking, and financial growth opportunities in agriculture production to all those who aspire to create a viable farming career, but especially to the brave men and women who have served our country.

Contact Michael Klarman | Learn more Veteran Support

The Producer Pathway

The Producer Pathway was designed in 2021 by ASD program managers to help local farmers and gardeners of all skill levels understand the programming offered and how we can help based on the knowledge stakeholders currently have and their educational goals. Explore the Producer Pathway and find out more about what programming is right for you.


Program Coordinator

Michael Klarman
Producer Pathway Manager

Email Michael 423.408.9438

©2021 Appalachian Sustainable Development. All rights reserved.