Beginning Farmer Program
- Health & Well-being
-
Agricultural Programs
- Agribusiness
- Animal Science
- Beginning Farmer Program
- Commercial Crops
- Commericial Horticulture
- Delaware Soil Testing Program
- Disease Management
- Farm Vitality and Health Project
- Irrigation
- Nutrient Management
-
Insect Pest Management
- Insect Trapping Program
- IPM Hot Topics
- Commercial Field Crop Insect Management
- Commercial Field Crop Disease Management
- Commercial Fruit & Vegetable Crop Pest Management
- EIPM Implementation Projects
- Pollinators
- Research and Extension Demonstration Results
- Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) Management, Research, and Resources
- Publications
- Pesticide Safety Education Program
- UD Plant Diagnostic Clinic
- Variety Trials
- Weed Science
- Certified Crop Advisor Program
- Poultry Biosecurity
- 4-H
-
Horticulture
- Climate Variability and Change
- Delaware Soil Testing Program
- Forestry
- Lawn and Garden
- Master Gardeners
- Master Naturalist Program
-
Nutrient Management
- Nutrient Management Certification
- Continuing Education for Nutrient Management
- Nutrient Management Planning Resources
- Commercial Nutrient Handler Resources
- Poultry Litter and Manure Management
- Turf Management
- Agriculture Notebook
- Horticulture Handbook
- Agriculture & Horticulture Handbooks
- Crop Production
- Soil Fertility
- Delaware Climate Change Coordination Initiative (DECCCI)
- Salt Impacted Agricultural Lands
UD Cooperative Extension plans to offer Beginning Farmer Training again in New Castle County in Fall, 2026. Contact Nick Adams or Carrie Murphy for more information.
UD Cooperative Extension is offering Beginning Farmer Training in Sussex County this Fall, 2025. Contact Lyndsie Mikkelsen for more information.
About this program
The Delaware Beginning Farmer Program is for new and beginner farmers working in small-scale vegetable and/or fruit production. Through hands-on training, demonstrations, workshops, field trips and farm tours, as well as self-study, growers will spend an entire season learning and growing with Delaware Cooperative Extension, and other invited agriculture industry professionals.
Although not limited to the following topics, this training will explore the fundamentals of soil fertility and health, basic crop production, integrated pest management, food safety, and business planning and development.
This training will also provide an excellent networking opportunity.
Sample workshop schedule below
- Wednesday, September 11, 6-8 pm, Course Orientation, Soil Basics
- Saturday, September 14, 9-11 am, Greenhouse Production/Tour
- Wednesday, September 25, 6-8 pm, Variety Selection
- Wednesday, October 9, 6-8 pm, Small Farm Business Planning
- Saturday, October 12, 9-11 am, Field Trip to Against the Grain Farm at William Penn Farm
- Wednesday, October 23, 6-8 pm, Weed Identification and Management
- Wednesday, November 6, 6-8 pm, Integrated Pest Management: Insect and Disease Pests
- Saturday, November 9, 9-11 am, Plant Diagnostic Clinic, UD Fresh to You
- Wednesday, November 20, 6-8 pm, Small Animals
- Wednesday, December 4, 6-8 pm, Delaware Beginning Farmer Resource Panel with DDA, NRCS, Farm Bureau and others
Program contacts
The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Institution and Provider. Visit UD’s Office of Equity & Inclusion to learn more.
Additional Links
531 South College Avenue Newark, DE 19716 (302) 831-2501