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What
is Farm Beginnings?
Course Information
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What is
Farm Beginnings?
Program Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
Download Fact Sheet (PDF)
Farm Beginnings in Other Regions
Contact us to Learn More
Program
Overview
Farm Beginnings is a Land Stewardship Project initiative that provides opportunities for beginning and transitioning farmers to learn firsthand about values clarification and goal setting, whole farm planning, business plan development, and low-cost, sustainable farming methods.
Farm Beginnings provides 36 hours of training and hands-on learning opportunities
in the form of classroom sessions, farm tours and mentorships. It
is a year-long training and support effort. Farmers and other agricultural
professionals are the primary presenters, mentors and steering committee
members.
Farm Beginnings graduates come from a variety of backgrounds and are
engaged in a broad spectrum of farming enterprises: beef, dairy,
hogs, meat and dairy goats, sheep, poultry, wholesale vegetables, Community
Supported Agriculture, organic grains and specialty products such as cut-flowers,
hazelnuts, and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the dates for this year's class?
Visit the Farm Beginnings
Course page for class dates.
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Who are the speakers and what are the topics?
View a sample class
outline.
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When is the application due? Thursday, August 28, 2008
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Are scholarship available and how do I apply for them?
A limited number of partial scholarships are available. Submit a scholarship application at the same time as your Farm Beginnings application.
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How much is the deposit? You
must send a $100 non-refundable check with your application to hold
your place in the class.
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Do I have to pay all at once? No.
You can make a payment schedule. Full payment is due at the last class -- usually the end of February or beginning of March.
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Do you have to be interested in organic agriculture to take
the class? No. The Farm Beginnings
class presents a process for making decisions about alternative farming
strategies, including but not limited to direct marketing, grass-based
and organic. We employ established, successful farmers as teachers
and they share from their experience what has worked for them.
We focus on helping participants make the right choice for their goals.
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Do you have to be a beginning farmer to take the class?
No. The decision-making process and planning
tools we share during the class are just as useful to established
farmers as they are to people wanting to get started farming.
As a matter of fact, many people who have gone through the class have
been farming on the side for a number of years and use the class
to help them make the step into full time farming or to transition
into other alternative farming strategies.
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What does the course consist of? Farm
Beginnings classes begin in the fall of each year and meet throughout
the winter. Class participants learn goal setting, financial planning,
business plan creation, alternative marketing and low-cost sustainable
farming techniques. Established farmers and other professionals such
as lenders and agricultural business instructors present at the seminars,
providing community resources, networks and contacts for those interested
in farming.
At the conclusion of classes, participants
take part in a series of on-farm field days during the spring and
summer. Participants tour a variety of farms in addition to having
a one-on-one experience with a specific farmer.
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What is the Livestock Loan and who is eligible?
The Livestock Loan Program is a zero-interest
revolving livestock loan available for qualified Farm Beginnings graduates.
It helps farmers build equity while supporting them with a continuing
education component that connects them with an adviser. Individuals
are able to apply for dairy heifers, beef heifers, hogs, goats, sheep,
and chickens.
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Download Fact Sheet
Download a Farm Beginnings Fact Sheet
(PDF)
If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the fact sheet, download a free copy.
Farm Beginnings in Other Regions
Farm Beginnings is now in Illinois, Nebraska and North Dakota, as well as the Lake Superior Region in northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. If you live in one of these regions and are interested in the program, contact one of the following people:
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Contact us to Learn More
In Southeastern Minnesota:
General Farm Beginnings Information
Karen Stettler
Call: 507-523-3366
E-mail: stettler@landstewardshipproject.org
About the Class
Karen Benson
Call: 507-523-3366
E-mail: lspse@landstewardshipproject.org
Mailing Address
Land Stewardship Project
Attn: Farm Beginnings
P.O. Box 130
Lewiston, MN 55952
In Western Minnesota:
General Farm Beginnings Information
Amy Bacigalupo
Call: 320-269-2105
E-mail: amyb@landstewardshipproject.org
About the Class
Susan Hurst
Call: 320-269-2105
E-mail: fbwest@landstewardshipproject.org
Mailing Address
Land Stewardship Project
Attn: Farm Beginnings
301 State Road, Suite 2
Montevideo, MN 56265
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