Orientation and Seed Starting

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Thursday, April 10th from 5-7:30pm

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Bright Spot Farm

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Orientation and Seed Starting 〰️ Thursday, April 10th from 5-7:30pm 〰️ Bright Spot Farm 〰️

New Ground Growers Series

“A Pathway to Urban Farming in Delaware”

A FREE flexible and accessible training for urban/community growers of all styles and scales to increase local food production. This program is designed for participants to craft their own journey to build their experience and education with three different ways to participate (see below). Through a combination of events and assignments participants will learn about topics from the primary aspects of urban growing: planning, planting, tending, processing, marketing, and managing.

Our program features three different formats for our classes

Virtual Panel Webinars
Evening Workshops
Saturday Volunteer Sessions

Download our 2025 Program Schedule - updated February 26th

Participants will also have opportunities to apply previous experiences for credit and to complete individual learning exercises, in the event of not being able to attend an in person class.

2025 PROGRAM REGISTRATION HERE

If you have any questions, please reach at to Madison Walter at madison.walter@delaware.gov

Three Ways to Participate:

Community/Urban Gardener Track

This track is for those growing produce/farm products at the community garden or home garden scale. It is also ideal for those individuals who are interested in improving their skill for volunteering at an urban farm or community garden. Topics in this track include: Seed Starting, Planting Tending, Land Access, Finding Urban Ag Resources, Social Media and Outreach, Crop Planning, Container Growing, Season Extension, Integrated Pest Management, Irrigation, Soil Health and Composting, Working with Volunteers, Community Partnerships, and Regenerative Systems.
Requirements of this track include 30 hours of training (10 classes) and 12 volunteer hours at a local urban farm over the six month program
Those that complete the track will receive a certificate of course completion.
Urban Farmer Track

This track is for those who are interested in pursuing an operation that grows produce/farm products in an urban or small scale setting with the intent to sell those items. Topics in this track include all the topics covered in the Community/Urban Gardener track PLUS: Farm Business Planning, Farm Financing, Product Licensing, CSA Models, Options for Selling Products, Preparing for Markets, Value-Added Products, Using Harvesting Equipment, and Produce Safety. This track includes 42 hours of training (14 classes) and 25 volunteer hours at a local urban farm over the six month program
Those that complete the track will receive a certificate of course completion.
Individual Events

All are welcome to attend any of the free events offered through the program which runs April - September. Program credit will not be provided and participants are not required to submit documentation. Additionally, any participant in either track is welcome to take attend any event that falls outside of their track course work.
To help our presenters better prepare, we do ask that those interested register for the individual events using the link above.

Regardless of the level of participation, registration is REQUIRED!

Registration here for our 2025 Program

Program Details

Here you can find more detailed description of the different class types within the NGGS program. Below, be sure to also check out some photos of the 2023 program.

Virtual Panel Webinars

These virtual sessions happen in two parts. Those registered for these session will receive a pre-recorded presentation or information from our presenters. Then during the session are panelist will be available in real time to answer questions and engage in discussion!
Topics usually focus on on farm management and administration and feature speakers for local and state agency, as well as other farm service providers.

Evening Workshops

These 2-hour workshops happen from 5-7:30pm on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at various local urban farms and gardens
During these workshops, we’ll focus in on one particular topic such as: crop planning, integrated pest management, small equipment usage, and much more! Participant will then either:
- gain hands-on experience working at farm site on project that align with that night’s theme
- have the ability to tour and hear from a local business/organization that focuses on that workshop’s theme

Saturday Volunteer Sessions

Happening from 8am-12am on the 3rd Saturday of the month, our Saturday Volunteer Session are a great way to get hands-on experience working on a local urban farm. Happening in April and July, participants will get to learn about the operation before digging in and helping our local farmers with projects around the site.
The topic covered during these session will be related to the farm project that participants will be assisting with that morning. Additionally, the farmer’s might also be sharing their experiences and perspectives about some of the behind the scenes work that is required to running a small urban farm.