AUGUSTA — Military veterans and family members interested in small-scale farming for market sales will begin a free 30-week training program on Jan. 13, from 9 a.m. – noon, at Togus VA Medical Center, 810 Eastern Ave., Augusta. Semimonthly sessions continue through September 20. 

Topics to be covered during “Boots-2-Bushels” include soil health and crop planning; seedling, vegetable and small fruit production; harvest and storage; marketing and bookkeeping; integrated pest management, tools and equipment.

The course also includes field work utilizing existing raised garden beds at the Togus campus.

Instructors include UMaine Extension and MOFGA subject matter experts. 

Sponsors include University of Maine Cooperative Extension, UMaine Extension Maine AgrAbility, Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association and VA Maine Recreation Therapy Service. 

For more information, contact Anne Devin, 207.991.2651, anne.devin@maine.edu.

More information is also available online.