Start Your Own CRAFT

Guidelines on Starting a CRAFT Program
Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training
Upper Midwest (Region 1)

 

Gather farmers

• Establish need for a program
• Secure commitment of farmers to guide the program (a board or advisory group)
• Secure commitment to allow interns to attend all events
• Secure commitment to lead training events

Outline a mission statement

• Expose interns to diversity of approaches in farming
• Provide a peer group for interns
• Build cooperation among regional farmers

Define the components of the program

• Workshops
• Orientation
• Transition sessions at season end
• Exchanges
• Other

Divide up responsibilities for the components

• Who will organize each part?
• Who will lead each activity?
• Who will facilitate the evaluations?
• Who will guide the overall program?
• Who will handle administrative functions (mailings, printing, calls, finances, etc.)?

Map out how to handle expenses

• Coordinating the annual planning meetings
• Organizing the training activities
• Leading the training activities
• Transportation and food for the activities
• Sending out the mailings (postage, paper, envelopes, cards)
• Making phone calls to farmers and interns
• Printing the annual CRAFT packets
• Fundraising for the program
• Decide on if/how much membership dues

Develop communications materials

• Brochure
• Annual CRAFT handbook (w/ calendar, opps, farms, advanced internships)

Publicize your CRAFT

• On the web (ATTRA, Biodynamic Assoc., etc.)
• Through all member farms
• With colleges and universities
• At regional events and conferences

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This outline for starting a CRAFT was developed by the Upper Midwest CRAFT and Angelic Organics Learning Center. For more information on how to start a CRAFT program, contact the Angelic Organics Learning Center at CRAFT@learngrowconnect.org or 815-389-8455. To find out more about other CRAFT programs or connect to CRAFT groups, join our Yahoo Group by sending an email to international_craft-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.