EDUCATION
Lake Superior Farm Beginnings
Launching the Next
Generation of Farmers
The Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association is offering its second annual Farm
Beginnings program in 2010-2011.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Lake Superior Farm Beginnings (LSFB) is a program of the Sustainable Farming
Association, licensed by the Land Stewardship Project. LSFB provides opportunities for
beginning and transitioning farmers to learn firsthand about value clarification and goal
setting, whole farm planning, business plan development, marketing and distribution,
financial management and low-cost, sustainable farming methods. LSFB provides 39 hours
of training and hands-on learning opportunities in the form of classroom sessions, farm
tours and skill sessions. It is a year-long training and support effort. Farmers and other
agricultural professionals are the primary presenters, mentors and steering committee
members. Participants can come from a variety of backgrounds and are interested in a
broad spectrum of farming enterprises: beef, dairy, hogs, meat and dairy goats, sheep,
poultry, wholesale vegetables, Community Supported Agriculture, organic grains, cut-
flowers, cheese, maple syrup and more.
LSFB participants will:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How successful is Farm Beginnings?
During the first decade, more than 400 people have completed the course through the Land
Stewardship Project. Of those graduates - Over 60% of graduates are farming. Over 6,000
acres of land is owned, rented or otherwise farmed by graduates. 59% of graduates have a
business plan and 98% of graduates do financial planning. 66% of graduates who are
farming say their net farm income has increased an average of $12,500 since taking Farm
Beginnings. 91% of graduates use conservation practices.
What are the dates for this year’s class?
In-classes sessions begin October 30, 2010 and run every couple weeks until April 2010 with
a longer break around the holidays. Classes occur on Saturday’s (4 full-day sessions) and
weekday evenings (5 half-day sessions). Ten on-farm classes will run from May 2011
through September 2011 and will include farm tours and skill sessions.
The LSFB program will conclude with an end-of-the-year celebration for graduates, date and
time TBA, in coordination with the Lake Superior Farming Association’s Farm Frolic, an
annual fundraiser for Farm Beginnings. The 2010 Farm Frolic event will occur Saturday,
August 21 and is open to the wider community to attend.
Who are the speakers and what are the topics?
Lake Superior Farm Beginnings is farmer-taught by successful, innovative farmers who are
engaged in a variety of farm enterprises throughout northeastern Minnesota and
northwestern Wisconsin. In addition, various agricultural professionals and other
business constituents are resources. Farm Beginnings topics include: value clarification,
goal setting, Whole Farm Planning, Holistic Management, marketing, financial planning,
organization structure and low-cost sustainable farm methods.
When is the application due?
The application is due September 15, 2010. Space is limited. Only 20 participants can enroll.
We encourage applicants to register early!
Are scholarships available? How do I apply for them?
A limited number of scholarships are available and are needs-based. Scholarship
applications will be included in the class registration package which will be mailed to
interested LSFB participants. To apply for a scholarship, you will be required to provide:
1) a narrative of your financial need, passion and capacity for farming, and willingness to
give back to the program; 2) a Net-Worth Statement describing your income, expenses,
assets and liabilities; and 3) a copy of your most recent tax return.
Is program registration for a single person only?
No. A participant registration includes those in the immediate farm family or enterprise
(spouses or farm business partners). Please be considerate of other participants when
determining appropriate age for the inclusion of youth.
How much does the course cost and is there a deposit?
The LSFB course costs $1000. You must send a $100 non-refundable check with your
application to hold your place in the class. It is not necessary to pay all at once. You can
make a payment schedule. Full payment is due at the last in-class session in 2011.
Is the course strictly for organic agriculture?
Lake Superior Farm Beginnings presents a process for making decisions about alternative
farming strategies including, but not limited to, direct marketing, grass-based farming and
organic methods. The program features established, successful farmers as teachers who
share their experiences. LSFB focuses on helping participants make the right choice for their
goals.
Do you have to be a beginning farmer to take the class?
No. The decision-making process and planning tools of the class are as useful to
established farmers as they are to people wanting to begin farming. As a matter of fact,
many people who have gone through the class have been farming on the side for a number
of years and use the class to help them make the step into full time farming or to transition
into other alternative farming strategies.
To learn more about current and future Farm Beginnings program contact Farm Beginnings
Facilitator Cree Bradley: cree@lakesuperiorfarming.org or call (218) 834-0846.
Lake Superior Farm Beginnings
Launching the Next
Generation of Farmers
The Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association is offering its second annual Farm
Beginnings program in 2010-2011.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Lake Superior Farm Beginnings (LSFB) is a program of the Sustainable Farming
Association, licensed by the Land Stewardship Project. LSFB provides opportunities for
beginning and transitioning farmers to learn firsthand about value clarification and goal
setting, whole farm planning, business plan development, marketing and distribution,
financial management and low-cost, sustainable farming methods. LSFB provides 39 hours
of training and hands-on learning opportunities in the form of classroom sessions, farm
tours and skill sessions. It is a year-long training and support effort. Farmers and other
agricultural professionals are the primary presenters, mentors and steering committee
members. Participants can come from a variety of backgrounds and are interested in a
broad spectrum of farming enterprises: beef, dairy, hogs, meat and dairy goats, sheep,
poultry, wholesale vegetables, Community Supported Agriculture, organic grains, cut-
flowers, cheese, maple syrup and more.
LSFB participants will:
- Tap the knowledge of some of the most innovative and skilled farmers operating in the
Lake Superior region. - Develop lifelong friendships and networks with other beginning farmers.
- Learn critical farm management skills such as creative financing and innovative
marketing strategies. - See sustainable farming practices being used on real farms under a variety of
conditions. - Learn to view a farm as an interconnected system and learn how goals determine
farming practices. - Craft a tailor-made farming / business plan.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How successful is Farm Beginnings?
During the first decade, more than 400 people have completed the course through the Land
Stewardship Project. Of those graduates - Over 60% of graduates are farming. Over 6,000
acres of land is owned, rented or otherwise farmed by graduates. 59% of graduates have a
business plan and 98% of graduates do financial planning. 66% of graduates who are
farming say their net farm income has increased an average of $12,500 since taking Farm
Beginnings. 91% of graduates use conservation practices.
What are the dates for this year’s class?
In-classes sessions begin October 30, 2010 and run every couple weeks until April 2010 with
a longer break around the holidays. Classes occur on Saturday’s (4 full-day sessions) and
weekday evenings (5 half-day sessions). Ten on-farm classes will run from May 2011
through September 2011 and will include farm tours and skill sessions.
The LSFB program will conclude with an end-of-the-year celebration for graduates, date and
time TBA, in coordination with the Lake Superior Farming Association’s Farm Frolic, an
annual fundraiser for Farm Beginnings. The 2010 Farm Frolic event will occur Saturday,
August 21 and is open to the wider community to attend.
Who are the speakers and what are the topics?
Lake Superior Farm Beginnings is farmer-taught by successful, innovative farmers who are
engaged in a variety of farm enterprises throughout northeastern Minnesota and
northwestern Wisconsin. In addition, various agricultural professionals and other
business constituents are resources. Farm Beginnings topics include: value clarification,
goal setting, Whole Farm Planning, Holistic Management, marketing, financial planning,
organization structure and low-cost sustainable farm methods.
When is the application due?
The application is due September 15, 2010. Space is limited. Only 20 participants can enroll.
We encourage applicants to register early!
Are scholarships available? How do I apply for them?
A limited number of scholarships are available and are needs-based. Scholarship
applications will be included in the class registration package which will be mailed to
interested LSFB participants. To apply for a scholarship, you will be required to provide:
1) a narrative of your financial need, passion and capacity for farming, and willingness to
give back to the program; 2) a Net-Worth Statement describing your income, expenses,
assets and liabilities; and 3) a copy of your most recent tax return.
Is program registration for a single person only?
No. A participant registration includes those in the immediate farm family or enterprise
(spouses or farm business partners). Please be considerate of other participants when
determining appropriate age for the inclusion of youth.
How much does the course cost and is there a deposit?
The LSFB course costs $1000. You must send a $100 non-refundable check with your
application to hold your place in the class. It is not necessary to pay all at once. You can
make a payment schedule. Full payment is due at the last in-class session in 2011.
Is the course strictly for organic agriculture?
Lake Superior Farm Beginnings presents a process for making decisions about alternative
farming strategies including, but not limited to, direct marketing, grass-based farming and
organic methods. The program features established, successful farmers as teachers who
share their experiences. LSFB focuses on helping participants make the right choice for their
goals.
Do you have to be a beginning farmer to take the class?
No. The decision-making process and planning tools of the class are as useful to
established farmers as they are to people wanting to begin farming. As a matter of fact,
many people who have gone through the class have been farming on the side for a number
of years and use the class to help them make the step into full time farming or to transition
into other alternative farming strategies.
To learn more about current and future Farm Beginnings program contact Farm Beginnings
Facilitator Cree Bradley: cree@lakesuperiorfarming.org or call (218) 834-0846.
| Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association 310 Carlton Avenue, PO Box 307 - Carlton, MN - 218.393.3276 - info@lakesuperiorfarming.org © 2010 LS-SFA |
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