Statewide Alabama CRAFT Network
What is CRAFT?
CRAFT stands for Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training. The original CRAFT network formed in upstate New York as a way to provide diverse on-farm training and a shared social network for farm interns, apprentices, and employees. The model has been replicated in many other places, and adapted to meet the needs of each particular place, and we have been doing that right here in Alabama since 2019 when we launched the Central AL CRAFT Network. In 2022 we expanded Statewide and are pleased to offer farmer-to-farmer sustainable agriculture skillshare workshops 1-2 times a month across Alabama.
The Alabama CRAFT Network is made by farmers for farmers, focusing our programming for small farmers (under 100 acres), landless farmers (renters, employees, interns, apprentices) and large-scale producers who are interested in sustainable or organic practices. It is led by a 12-person (’24-’25) statewide Farmer Steering Committee who determines and carries our the slate for the year with support from our Farmer Programs Director, Arlo Pate [email protected]. If you are interested in joining the SC, please reach out to Arlo (and see info below)!
Add CRAFT Calendar to your personal google calendar by clicking here.
The Alabama CRAFT Network is supported through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Transition to Organic Partnership Program (TOPP). TOPP is a program of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative and is administered by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP).
2024 CRAFT Schedule
Sunday, April 14, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM (potluck following) High Tunnel Repair Workday (Gurley) register here
Sunday, May 26th from 2:00 to 5:00pm Added Value Products & Farm Tour (Blountsville) register here
Thursday, July 18th, 2024 5:30 to 7:00pm Market Access for Organic, Sustainable and Specialty Growers Panel (virtual over zoom) register here
Saturday, July 27, 2024 from 10:00am to 12:00pm Sustainable Growing Methods for Row Crops & Navigating Climate Smart Ag Funding (Elba) register here
Sunday, September 8, 2024 from 2:00 to 3:30pm North AL Market Access for Sustainable, Organic & Specialty Growers (Huntsville) register here
Sunday, October 13th, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm Mountain Sun Farm Certified Organic Tour (Mentone) register here
Thursday, October 17, 2024 from 2:00 PM-5:00pm BBMIC Tour, Tractor Workshop featuring a Roller/Crimper, and Small Grains Info Session (Selma) register here
Upcoming:
Sunday, November 24th, 2024 from 1:00- 5:00pm Southard Farms Tour: Silvopasture, Grow-Your-Own-Feed, and Farmer Social Dinner (Madison) register here
Sunday, December 8th, 2024 from 1:00-4:00pm Dr. Nettle’s Natural Beauty Certified Organic Farm Tour & Herbal Tea Party Farmer Social (Mobile) register here
Please keep an eye on this page as well as our Facebook page and Instagram for more details
Want to Join the Farmer Steering Committee?
Do you love learning with fellow farmers? Do you have sustainable ag skills to share or is there something you’ve been wanting to learn to expand your farm skills?
Join the Alabama CRAFT Network’s Farmer Steering Committee! You’ll get to connect with farmers across the state and support the farmers in your region, all while growing your own farming skills within community.
The commitment is a minimum of 15 hours for the whole year, which includes the commitments below:
* attending the ONE yearly planning meeting (virtually)
* plugging CRAFT events and promoting to other farmers
* shepherding (coordinating) at least 1 workshop for the network of your choosing (with staff support)
Thanks to our generous funders, CRAFT Steering Committee members receive a modest stipend per workshop and have access to travel cost support.
FILL OUT THIS INTEREST FORM (rolling)
Questions?
For more information contact Arlo Pate at [email protected] / 256-743-0742.
