A new program called Growing Growers ICT, fromK-State Research and Extension – Sedgwick County, will offer hands-on experience with one-on-one guidance to farmers of fruits and vegetables. The program is modeled after a successful effort in Kansas City, which assisted urban and rural as well as new and experienced participants. | Download this photo.
Growing growers: KDA-funded program helps new, experienced produce farmers in south-central Kansas
Workshops plus one-on-one mentorships guide growers in urban, rural areas
Jan. 9, 2018
WICHITA, Kan. – A new program based at K-State Research and Extension – Sedgwick County is helping fruit and vegetable growers from all backgrounds, skills and income levels.
The Growing Growers ICT program is an expansion of the Growing Growers Kansas City program and trains and supports farmers in Sedgwick County and south-central Kansas. Growing Growers ICT — funded by a Kansas Department of Agriculture 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant — uses apprenticeships and a workshop series to provide education and hands-on learning opportunities to new farmers in both urban and rural areas.
“Through our outreach at K-State Research and Extension – Sedgwick County, we have seen a true need for this program in the Wichita area,” said Rebecca McMahon, horticultural food crops agent and grant manager. “The Growing Growers program in Kansas City has been very successful and we want to follow that model to help new farmers, whether in urban Wichita or rural, south-central Kansas.”
A key feature of the Growing Growers program is apprenticeships, where new farmers work on fruit and vegetable farms in south-central Kansas to gain first-hand, practical farming experience. Apprentices attend workshops and receive one-on-one mentorships with local host farmers. The program also will partner with Common Ground Mobile Market and Legacy Garden Works to provide apprenticeships to inner-city residents.
Growing Growers ICT includes six workshops during the spring and summer production months to provide research-based knowledge on growing fruits and vegetables in Kansas. The workshops are open to the public and class fees apply. Workshop dates will be announced in the spring and posted on the website.
Although the workshops are geared toward beginning farmers, they also offer information and skill development for more experienced farmers, McMahon said.
The core workshops include:
- introduction to soil management.
- production planning and plant propagation.
- post-harvest handling.
- small farm equipment and drip irrigation.
- insects, disease and weed management.
- farm business management.
Applications for host farms and apprenticeships are available at the Growing Growers web page. Host-farm applications are due Feb. 4, and apprentice applications are due March 4. Scholarships are available for the participation fee in the apprenticeship program.
