Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings Course

Food Works is reaching out for individuals or partners who are interested in launching their own farm or food entrepreneurial small business! The 2020-2021 Farm Beginnings Program will begin the first week of November with a new format! While COVID-19 has pushed us into social distancing, frequent handwashing and mask wearing, it hasn’t taken away the pioneer spirit of independence! 

 

If you have a farm dream or ideas for your own food  entrepreneurship using locally grown foods, then we want you to join us for Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings! We have expanded our focus to include cottage food industry, and hemp production along with the more traditional, fruit/vegetable production, grain production and animal husbandry.

 

Farm Beginnings is a model program that is farmer-led, community based and focused on sustainable/regenerative agriculture. You don’t have to be a “farmer” to join us because unless you already have land access, you’re going to need time to develop your business plan for success. Join us to learn about the financial planning needed to realize your farm dream. Participants benefit from group learning, farmer/entrepreneur mentors for each participant and participation in the field days/webinars of the Southern Illinois Farming Alliance. 

This program will be held virtually, with some in-person learning events where every precaution will be taken to ensure the safety of participants, facilitator, guest speakers and farm hosts. For more information please visit the Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings page on the Food Works Website at https://www.fwsoil.org/farm-beginnings.html Please contact Farm Beginnings Facilitator Margie Sawicki at margie@fwsoil.org for additional details.

 

• Learn more about beginning farmer training programs around the country here.

• Find tons of useful farming resources of all kinds here.