LEWISTON —  In response to the educational needs of new farmers, a group of agencies have joined forces to develop a comprehensive workshop series to be held every Tuesday beginning Jan. 31 and ending March 13. In case of a storm event requiring a cancellation, the workshop will be held the next day at the same time. A new farmer is considered as one in the farming business less than 10 years or who hasn’t started yet. Partial funding for this endeavor has been provided from the Conservation Technical Assistance funding pool by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

There will be seven workshops throughout this period of time. Registration for attending all seven workshops will cost $50 with a maximum of two per farm allowed to attend for this fee. If not attending all seven workshops, the cost is $15 per person for a full-day workshop, and $10 per person for an evening workshop. The New Farmer Workshop flier and registration form are available at www.androscogginswcd.net. On the home page, click on the link to New Farmer Workshop Series under the pictures.

The Androscoggin Valley Soil and Water Conservation District is partnering with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, Maine Department of Agriculture and Maine Department of Conservation to conduct the workshops. In addition to resource specialists from government agencies, local farmers, organizations and business representatives will participate in the workshops.

Special benefits for workshop attendees will include credits or a certification exam where possible, coffee break refreshments, lunch at two of the full-day workshops, on-site full-day workshop at a local farm on the last day, a resource notebook for those registering for all seven workshops, question and answer sessions and opportunities to network.

Registrations must be received by Jan. 10. Preregistration is required. Anyone with special needs in order to attend should contact Jane Heikkinen at 753-9400, ext. 400.