The Connecticut Department of Agriculture, in partnership with Miranda Creative, is proud to present CT Grown Academy this fall. These free webinars will offer guidance on how Connecticut farmers and agricultural producers can improve their digital presence, allowing them to better connect with consumers online.

Joining all three webinars is recommended, but participants can also attend webinars individually. Each webinar will last approximately one hour. For more information, please contact Yana Dynia at [email protected].

Webinar One: From Farm Life to #farmlife: Social Media Marketing Basics

When: Monday, November 6th at 1 p.m.

What: Gain an understanding of how a strong social media presence can benefit your farm. The topics covered encompass establishing a social media foundation for your farm, reaching the appropriate audience, creating a comprehensive strategy for your social presence, an overview of scheduling tools, and more. The webinar also provides ample time for an extended Q&A session. Presented by Allie Bryant, the Social/Digital Brand Manager at Miranda Creative.

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Webinar Two: Your Digital Multi-Tool: Using Canva Effectively For Your Farm Marketing

When: Friday, November 17th at 1 p.m.

What: Canva is a free, easy-to-use graphic design tool that lets you quickly and easily liven up the visual materials you use in your marketing. The eye-catching graphics you can create are perfect for social media posts, flyers, brochures, and more. Emily Karam, a Miranda Creative graphic designer, guides you through the process of creating and sharing images using Canva.

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Webinar Three: Are Customers Finding You Online? Understanding Your Online Presence, Google SEO and Google Analytics

When: Wednesday, December 6th at 1 p.m.

What: When customers search online for fresh, locally sourced products, you want to make sure that your farm is showing up in the results. Greg Boyd, Director of Digital Media Services at Miranda Creative, discusses how you can improve the search engine optimization (SEO) of your website and use other tactics to be seen online. 

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June 6, 2023 @ 10:00 AM 12:00 PM

The Movement Workshop series, offered free of cost to Connecticut farmers, covers better body mechanics and movement patterns in order to decrease injury potential, increase efficiency, and extend career longevity. Each session includes time to practice four basic movement patterns: hinge, squat, push and pull, along with kneeling patterns, rotation, and core stability.

The workshops will be held at four separate Connecticut farms. Sessions are limited to 15 participants.

626 Providence Pike
Putnam, Connecticut 06260 United States
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May 9, 2023 @ 10:00 AM 12:00 PM

The Movement Workshop series, offered free of cost to Connecticut farmers, covers better body mechanics and movement patterns in order to decrease injury potential, increase efficiency, and extend career longevity. Each session includes time to practice four basic movement patterns: hinge, squat, push and pull, along with kneeling patterns, rotation, and core stability.

The workshops will be held at four separate Connecticut farms. Sessions are limited to 15 participants.

175 Northford Road
Wallingford, Connecticut 06492 United States
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March 24, 2023 @ 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

This training course, presented by the UConn Extension and CPEN Inc., meets weekly to provide classroom instruction as well as hands-on learning related to urban agriculture. Participants will take part in harvests, preparations, and farmers’ market vending. Scholarships are available.

$300

February 22, 2023 @ 10:00 AM 12:00 PM

The 2023 Tri-State SARE Webinars will focus on soil nutrient management.

Feb. 22: Principals of Nutrient Management (Kirsten Workman, Cornell Extension PRO-DAIRY)

March 15: Integration of Pasture Management and Nutrient Management (Cheryl Cesario, UVM Extension; Rich Meinert, UConn Extension)

April 19: Nutrient Management Decision Making Based on Soil Testing (Heather Darby, UVM Extension)

February 9, 2023 @ 3:00 PM 6:00 PM

Interested in making your farm more resilient? Concerned about climate change? Join us to learn about ways to enable your operation to be sustainable.

843 University Drive
Torrington, Connecticut 06790 United States
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February 7, 2023 @ 9:30 AM 3:30 PM

This three-day winter course is for active, commercial farmers looking to transfer their farm to a related or unrelated successor. It is an opportunity for senior farmers and partners to talk with peers, learn from advisors, and get support on succession planning. Farmers do not need to have an identified successor to participate in this course.

Followup courses will take place on Feb. 28 and March 28. Farmers are required to attend all three courses.

Register to participate by Jan. 31.

$100
24 Hyde Ave.
Vernon, Connecticut 06066 United States
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February 1, 2023 @ 3:30 PM 5:00 PM

Interested in reducing your energy costs for on-farm consumption? Come learn about available programs and incentives in Connecticut.

218 Day Road
Pomfret, Connecticut 06259 United States
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January 30, 2023 @ 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

This fully online, seven-module course is designed for new and beginning farmers who have 0-3 years of vegetable growing experience or no formal training in agriculture. The participants will learn answers to the basic questions about farm business planning, planning and preparing for vegetable farm, warm and cool-season vegetable production techniques, season extension, identification of biotic and abiotic issues, and marketing. 

$149

January 21, 2023 @ 10:00 AM 4:00 PM

Join the New CT Farmer Alliance Build Your Network, Grow Our Future 2023! This annual event is a chance for farmers to connect with each other and with service providers who can help us in our farming journeys.

Join us for a keynote address, workshops, a farm hack competition, networking with agricultural service organizations, and of course, delicious food.

158 Auer Farm Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002 United States
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