BF 210: Stress Reduction for Farmers

Strategies for Streamlining Your Farm

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Work Smarter, Not Harder

Interested in creating a farm that runs smoothly, having time for off-farm interests, and reducing your overall stress? In this course, farmer Allyson Angelini shares Holistic Management tools and other time-tested wisdom from her 10+ years of farming. Conduct an annual review, establish priorities, create an achievable plan, and connect with peers for support and encouragement!

With Allyson as your guide, you’ll approach farming with intention, an eye for efficiency, and in ways that are more self-supportive. When farm systems are organized, they are more manageable and that reduces risk of farmer burnout. You are your farm’s greatest asset. It’s important to care for yourself just as you would prioritize the health of your soil, crops, or animals. Move towards your goals while establishing a manageable farm operation now. Why wait? Invest in yourself and your farm today!

In addition to guidance from Allyson, this course showcases knowledgeable guest speakers including:

Julie Bradley-Low, farmer body worker and yoga teacher
Kayla Hedman, digital marketing expert
Larry Manire, farm monitoring systems specialist
Phil Metzger, holistic financial planner

Target Audience

Beginning to Intermediate: No prerequisite knowledge is required, and newer farmers/homesteaders are welcome. However, farmers with one or more years of experience, who are able to conduct an annual review of their farm and work through tangible assignments to improve current farm systems, will benefit most from this course.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will know how to:

  • Conduct a year end analysis
  • Identify areas in your farm and home life that you want to prioritize
  • Set achievable goals and take steps toward incremental progress
  • Build a farm calendar that supports your priorities
  • Set up systems for clear communication
  • Work more efficiently
  • Install monitoring systems to reduce stress
  • Make more time for things that matter most to you

Webinars

The bulk of the course happens on your own time, with discussions, readings, and assignments in Teachable, our virtual classroom. To add to the experience, webinars will be woven into the online interface of the course to allow you to meet on a weekly basis to learn from presenters and ask questions in real time. If you miss one, they are always recorded and posted for later viewing.

Webinar Schedule

Live instruction for 2024 has concluded. You are welcome to enroll now to complete this course on a self-paced schedule and join our next live session in Fall 2025. All webinars are recorded and posted in your online classroom to watch anytime. Once enrolled in this course, you will retain access to all materials indefinitely and may return to participate in future live offerings of the course as well. Please join us!


Your Instructor


Allyson Angelini
Allyson Angelini

Allyson has a degree in Sustainable Agriculture from UMass Amherst and has worked on dozens of farms in New England and Italy. She owns and operates Full Heart Farm, which she purchased in 2012 at the age of 24. She serves as a mentor for Holistic Management International and is a member of the National Young Farmers Coalition. Allyson was named one of CT Magazine’s 40 Under 40 in 2015, as well as eWomen Network’s Emerging Leader of the Year for 2015. In BF 203, Allyson shares the details of how she plans and manages her farm’s finances using Holistic Financial Planning.


Student Testimonials

"I so appreciate how you shared your knowledge and insights, for it has been impactful. Thank you for being so attentive and available during this class. I have retooled and made some positive changes in my approach to farming with your influence. I think I will also carry some more joy to my work. It will never be a perfect world, but perhaps we can enjoy the process by having the right tools and better approaches to the work."

"Wonderful instructors. Very experienced and passionate. Hearing from farmer's who are really experiencing everything they are speaking about was awesome."

"Thank you for a great experience. I feel like I was able to take away new information that will improve my practices and help my farm become more sustainable."

"The resources / worksheets and guest speakers have been really helpful!"

Course Curriculum


  General Course Resources
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  Week 1: Conducting a Year End Analysis
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  Week 2: Efficient Scheduling
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  Week 3: Prioritizing Projects and Maintaining Infrastructure
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  Week 4: Marketing and Customer Communication
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  Week 5: An Office with a View
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  Week 6: Self-Care: Making the Most of the Time You’ve Saved
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course officially starts and ends on the dates given above, when the instructors get involved and begin hosting live weekly webinars. If you are registering after the webinars have concluded for the year, you will have immediate access to all the course materials, and will be able to participate in the next year's webinars if you choose to.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 7 days and we will give you a full refund.

Get started now!