Heartland Farm Beginnings

What is Heartland Farm Beginnings?

Heartland Farm Beginnings is an intensive, farmer-led training and support program designed to help early career farmers achieve their goal of creating a sustainable farm business. 

This series of intensive workshops will help beginning farmers develop a whole farm business plan through goal setting, financial management and an individualized assessment of resources, skills and markets. Participants will be paired with a farmer-mentor for one-on-one support. 

OEFFA is a part of the Farm Beginning Collaborative, a national coalition of farmer support organizations that each offer their own versions of the Farm Beginnings curriculum.  

Throughout Heartland Farm Beginnings participants will:

1. Create a detailed action plan for their farm, that includes personal goals, a marketing plan, and financial objectives;  
2. Learn holistic farm management skills, such as innovative marketing strategies, record keeping, and financial management;  
3. Learn how to access resources, including financing options and land access ideas, and  
4. Join a vibrant network of local and ecologically-minded farmers, developing relationships with new and experienced practitioners. 

Program includes:

• OEFFA Family Farm Membership ($50 value)
• 2023 conference registration
• Farm planning materials
• One-on-one pairing with a farming mentor for the 2023 growing season

Application details

• The course is designed for early career farmers that focus on sustainable and organic production. Participants should be currently farming or have experience working on farms and be in the process of planning a farm business.  
• The next cohort will begin in January of 2023 with classes running through March 2023. You can vew the course schedule here. There is space for up to 12 farms available in this cohort. 
• Applications open on October 24, 2022 and must be submitted by December 4, 2022. 
• Heartland Farm Beginnings tuition is $1,200 for up to two individuals from the same farm business working on the same business plan. Tuition relief may be available to increase accessibility of this program.  

Applications for the 2023 cohort of Heartland Farm Beginnings are now closed

 

The Farm Beginnings Collaborative (FBC) is a national alliance of regional groups who are offering Farm Beginnings® programs in 13 states. OEFFA’s Heartland Farm Beginnings® is the first offered in Ohio. According to survey data from member organizations, these programs have graduated hundreds of farmers, with 71 percent of graduates still farming in 2016.

This program is supported by NIFA USDA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (2019-49400-30033).

Photo: Our Harvest Cooperative