Education & Resources for Small & Beginning Farmers

Penn Center recently implemented a project funded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) entitled “Capacity Building for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers in South Carolina”. A series of workshops were held to introduce participants to marketing practices and Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) for those participants whose intent is to sell fresh farm produce at farmers markets, to schools, military bases, and hospitals. To provide participants with hands on and actual marketing opportunities, Penn Center converted an old barn located on the Penn Center campus to a Farmers Market Demonstration and Education Center. The demonstration and education center will help fill a gap between beginning farmers and the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program because it creates a way for these farmers to become certified in GAP and GHP so that they can expand the market for their products. Stay tuned for information about future workshops and demonstrations!