Beginning Farmers
Beginning Farmers - Practical Tools for Successful Family Farming
Heartland Farm Beginnings Course Begins November 2020, Online
Heartland Farm Beginnings is the Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association's (OEFFA's) year-long farmer-led training and support program designed to help early career farmers committed to creating a sustainable farm business achieve their goals.
The intensive, nine-part workshop series will enable farmers, with at least one year of production experience, to develop a whole farm plan through realistic goal setting, financial management, and assessment of resources, skills, and markets.
Through Heartland Farm Beginnings Participants Will:
- Learn critical holistic farm management skills such as creative financing and innovative marketing strategies
- Craft a tailor-made farm business plan
- Join a vibrant network of local family farms
- Receive one-on-one feedback from a farmer engaged in a similar enterprise
The Heartland Farm Beginnings® program includes:
- 37 hours of farmer-led, community-based sustainable agriculture virtual education
- OEFFA Family Farm membership for one year
- Registration to attend the 2021 OEFFA Annual Conference (mid February 2021)
- A passionate and like-minded cohort
- One-on-one mentorship with an experienced farmer
- FSA Borrower Training Completion Certificate and KIVA loan endorsement for qualified participants
Cost: $1,000 ($1,200 for applications received after September 1, 2020) for up to two individuals from the same farm business working on the same business plan. Payment plans and scholarships of up to $500 are available.
The 2020-2021 course will be virtual, with live webinars, recorded lectures, individualized office hours, and mentorship. Read the Program Information document for the full schedule.
Cost: Heartland Farm Beginnings tuition is $1,000 ($1,200 for applications received after September 1, 2020) for up to two individuals from the same farm business working on the same business plan. This fee includes a one-year OEFFA membership and conference registration. Payment plans and partial scholarships of up to $500 are available.
Applications: Applications are being accepted through September 20, 2020 and evaluated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Questions: Contact Rachel Tayse at (614) 947-1633 or rachel@oeffa.org.
Ohio Ecological Food and Farm Association
41 Croswell Rd. | Columbus, Ohio 43214
(614) 421-2022 | oeffa@oeffa.org