Hi all,
Couldn't help but comment on this topic. With my conference only a few
weeks to go, I've been busy setting up classes (8 from Feb.to May), 5 farm trips
this year, mentoring programs for newbies,and so on. Living at 6200+ feet with
extremely alkaline soils(9+) and strong west winds continually; the surest way
to discouragement is get a newbie excited and then let them figure it out for
them selves. Grant some have done it,but most fail.
What I'm doing is making it clear right from the git go that if people want
to farm, wether it be bd, organic,permaculture or something else
sustainable-they will have a mentor. Success is essential due to our goal of
providing our local schools with 75% of their food needs within 5 years, thereby
keeping millions of dollars in our local economy. When you have got that kind of
incentive, mentoring is more than a whim, it is a must.
Pat
