URI B2B is designed for beginning farmers, military veterans, and their family members. The course begins with 11 weeks of online instruction on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 pm – 7:30 pm beginning January 20th and ending April 2nd , 2025. Classes will be taught by subject-matter-experts from across New England. Attendance and participation are encouraged but sessions will be recorded for delayed viewing as needed. In addition to the live zoom sessions, participants will have access to an online learning platform with additional resources. Participants are expected to complete several assignments that will deepen their understanding of concepts discussed in class.
In the spring and summer there will be optional opportunities for farm tours across Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine. Farm tours provide valuable opportunities to learn and build relationships from farmers with boots on the ground. If you are considering B2B but are not from RI, CT, MA or ME, and would like to attend a farm tour(s), we can help facilitate other options closer to you. Many farmers are happy to share their knowledge!
The final stage of the program includes optional summer workshops at the URI Kingston campus. Workshops are hands-on opportunities to discuss and practice risk management strategies. Workshops are free for B2B participants who complete the course.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
Dates: January 20, 2026 – April 2, 2026
5-6 hours/week completing the following online activities:
- Attend Zoom webinars on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6 pm – 7:30 pm
- Complete weekly homework assignments
- Complete pre and post course surveys
11 Weeks of Online Instruction Covering Identified Risk Areas Including:
- Farm Business and Marketing (business planning, financials, record keeping, funding, and marketing)
- Farm Production Methods (Seedling production, crop planning and production, food safety, soil health, pest and disease management)
- Farm Legal and Human (health and wellness, adaptive equipment, farming ergonomics, stress reduction)
Farm Tours Topics
Tours are held across Rhode Island and Maine starting in May. Tours are scheduled in late winter and topics are subject to change and are based on the interests of the current cohort.
Fees:
11 Weeks of Online Classes, Optional Farm Tours and Workshops – $195*
* We have scholarships available for veterans and participants with limited resources. Please contact Tricia Lourenco Boucher, telourenco@uri.edu for scholarship opportunities.
To Apply: Click here and apply by December 31st, 2025.
QUESTIONS? CONTACT:
Tricia Lourenco Boucher
Program Facilitator
URI Cooperative Extension
TeLourenco@uri.edu
This is material based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA under Award Number 2023-70027-40447.