You Asked For It: More Farm Dreams Intensive

If you’re looking for a sign that it’s time to turn your farm dream into reality, this is it!

Stateline Farm Beginnings® is farmer led, community based, and rooted in sustainable agriculture. Cultivating a diverse network of aspiring and beginning farmers, the program gives participants a leg up in achieving viable farm dreams and fosters the growth of the regional farm leaders of the future.

Participants of the Skill Building Practicum summer 2021

For 17 years we have led small group cohorts through a year-long process of building their farm dream into a reality. For the first time ever and in an effort to help more aspiring farmers participate, we are hosting a second cohort of Farm Dreams Intensive. This course will run from May to June and include eight virtual sessions. Participants of Cohort 2 have the opportunity to join Cohort 1 in the summer for Skill Building Practicum in the fall for Farm Business Intensive. Cohort 2 enrollment is open now through April 24. ​

Stateline Farm Beginnings® is a yearlong course, with 100+ hours of interactive class time and three courses: Farm Dreams Intensive
Cohort 1: January to March | Cohort 2: May to July

• Focus on goal-setting, writing a mission & vision statement, learning marketing strategies, planning for profit, creating a personalized learning plan, and developing a farm proposal

⇢Take this as a standalone course or as a part of the complete Stateline Farm Beginnings® program

Skill Building Practicum
Cohort 1: March to October | Cohort 2: July to October

• Visit farms in Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin, and the Chicagoland area during UM CRAFT Field Days
• Work one-on-one with an experienced, sustainable farmer in your areas of interest. Arrangements are flexible; taking location, employment and family into account

​Farm Business Intensive
Cohorts 1 & 2: October to December

• Dive into budgeting, pricing strategies, completing and understanding financial statements, and developing a business plan​

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To learn more or apply for Cohort 2, visit our Stateline Farm Beginnings® page.