Stateline Farm Beginnings® is a yearlong program, with 100+ contact hours of class time, designed to help aspiring and beginning farmers plan and launch a sustainable farm business. Participants develop holistic farm and financial planning skills, explore emerging opportunities, and network with experienced regional farmers.
The program has three courses: Farm Dreams Intensive, Skills Building Practicum, and Farm Business Intensive. The first course begins in Winter by shaping your dream farm into a functional farm proposal and a personalized learning plan. During Spring and Summer, you’ll work with an experienced farmer in the region toward specified goals in your declared interests. In Autumn, we’ll focus on business development and finance budgeting, resulting in a business plan developed around your farm proposal. Most sessions feature a regional farmer or expert panel segment, where you’ll hear first-hand experiences of innovators and professionals. Sessions feature a collaborative, group-learning space for creating lifelong friendships within a new farming network. Presenters include: farmers, university professionals, accountants, attorneys, Extension educations, USDA program personnel, insurance providers, bankers, and more. |
In 2021, we went virtual. Participants connected with one another and learned from regional farmers and experts without the commitment and cost of travel, while in the convenience and comfort of their homes. We currently offer a hybrid of virtual and in-person sessions. |
Stateline Farm Beginnings® is open to anyone within the stateline area, including both rural and urban participants from Chicago, Rockford, Milwaukee, Madison, and everywhere in between.
BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and US Military Veteran community members are strongly encouraged to apply!
BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and US Military Veteran community members are strongly encouraged to apply!
Three Courses
Farm Dreams Intensive
Cohort 1: January to March | Cohort 2: May to July
Skill Building Practicum Cohort 1: March to October | Cohort 2: July to October
Farm Business Intensive Cohorts 1 & 2: October to December
|
Why Farm Beginnings® ?
The Farm Beginnings® model has emerged as an effective method of increasing the number of beginning farmers who are interested in building farm & food economies which are ecologically sustainable, equitable, and health-conscious. Stateline Farm Beginnings® (SFB) uses the Farm Beginnings® model and is a part of the Farm Beginnings Collaborative®. SFB has graduated nearly 300 sustainable farmers in the stateline region! Farm Beginnings® is approved as an educational provider through the United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (USDA - FSA). Completion of this course fulfills the educational requirements for FSA loan applicants. |
Not ready to Break ground on your farm dream?
Consider joining Upper Midwest CRAFT, our farmer training alliance