Welcome to Project Farm Team

Project Farm Team is a leadership training program sponsored by the Candidate Recruitment Committee of the Denton County Democratic Party.

Primary Mission

The mission of Project Farm Team is to help develop a base of Democratic candidates for public office in Denton County by training, mentoring, and providing support for individuals with an interest in public service.

As the name implies, this is a TEAM project that will build a cohesive base of Democrats, moving incrementally from private life, to public service at the municipal and school board levels, then into Denton County offices, and State offices.

Who Should Participate

We are seeking people of integrity who are willing to put their Democratic values in action and join a team of individuals who will learn while helping each other. We are seeking individuals who would entertain the notion of running for public office in Denton County at any point in the future, whether 2 years, 4 years, 6 years, or 10 years out. No commitment to run is required, and we expect that some team members would make the informed decision that public office is not for them. We are also seeking people who are willing to learn the material and apply it to Democratic campaigns in the county as Campaign Managers and Campaign Advisors or volunteers.

What is Required

In order to join Project Farm Team you must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a registered voter in the State of Texas, and provide proof.
• Must have good-faith interest in running for an office that represents the citizens of any part of Denton County, even if the district falls primarily in another county. (Or be willing to serve as campaign staff for the same)
• Must fill out the Farm Team application form.
• Must become a Sustaining Member of the Denton County Democratic Party if they are not already

What is Expected

Because the Farm Team is preparing potential candidates for the rigors of political campaigning, a time commitment and some individual work is required:

• One team meeting each month, generally on a Saturday for 2 to 4 hours, depending on the topic.
• Homework assignments, several hours per month, consisting of required reading, writing exercises, and other assignments relevant to the office being sought.

What Topics Will Be Covered

• Introductory class . get to know each other and what our plans and aspirations are.
• Life as a public servant. An elected Democratic official will visit and give a talk and Q&A for the recruits.
• Resume Building and dealing with closet skeletons.
• Texas and Federal Election Law
• Texas Politics - Constitutional roles of various offices at the state and county levels
• City Government . Learn about forms of government for Texas cities, and the scope of authority for cities.
• School Boards
• US Congress . Constitutional roles, and rules of the game
• Cultures and Values . An overview of the makeup of the county, its culture and trends.
• Public Speaking
• Campaigning
• Texas Constitution
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Trans-gender Issues
• Minority / Racial Issues
• Framing of issues.
• Understanding religion as it relates to your constituency.