The UGA Extension offices in Carroll, Coweta, and Paulding counties have teamed up to facilitate The Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program starting in August. It is a comprehensive training program for beginning and small farmers provided by UGA Cooperative Extension.

The Journeyman Program is a three-part series including the small farm business training, a small ruminant production course, and a hands-on production experience. This program is for those interested in starting a farm business or those who have recently begun farming and want to improve their operation.

Part 1 of the program is AGAware, a small farm business training workshop, offered Aug. 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Carroll County Extension office, 900 Newnan Road in Carrollton. The educational workshop covers balance sheets, income statements, personal finance, building a budget, and much more.

A small ruminants production course will be offered as Part 2 of the Journeyman Program in early 2017. The course will be offered Jan. 10-Feb. 28 on Tuesday nights.

Part 3 of the course is hands-on production experience. The program organizers will assist in finding a mentor for participants with an existing herd and internship positions for would-be farmers without a herd.

The program registration fee is $100 and will include all program materials. Space is limited in the program and participants are required to register before August 12, 2016 by calling 770-836-8546 or emailing [email protected]. For more information about the Journeyman Farmer Certificate Program, contact Carroll County Agent Paula Burke at 770-836-8546 or [email protected].