Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings Now Enrolling in the Metro East!

For the first time, St. Clair County will be the site of the 2016-17 class of Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings (SIFB), a farmer-taught, community based program for people seeking to create a sustainable small farm business.

The 12-month program includes 48 hours of winter seminars where experienced farmers and farm advisors share their expertise with students as they are writing their business plan and building their skills. A six-month mentorship then pairs students with an experienced farmer while students develop specific skills pertaining to their enterprise – whether it’s hogs, hay or honey. Graduates also receive a 12-month membership in the Southern Illinois Farming Alliance, where they will have opportunities for on-farm field days and workshops.

Farm Beginnings is built on a model pioneered more than 20 years ago by the Land Stewardship Project in Minnesota and is now offered in 11 regions of the United States, including in three regions in Illinois. Nationally, the programs train hundreds of farmers every year.

“We wanted to bring the opportunities of Farm Beginnings to the Metro East, which is in the northernmost area of our service territory,” said SIFB Coordinator Kathleen Logan Smith. “Entrepreneurial farming is attracting people from all backgrounds and this program helps people create viable farms.”

The 2016 Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings classes will meet in Millstadt and Belleville, at classroom and farm locations. Interested people from the Metro East, surrounding communities, and Southern Illinois are encouraged to apply at Food Works’ website: http://www.fwsoil.org/farm-beginnings.html or call (618) 370-3287. Seminars begin in October and meet until February. Students may enroll through Oct. 12th, 2016.

Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings® a farm business planning program for anyone wanting to engage in sustainable, entrepreneurial farming.

• helps you move ideas to reality.
• can help clarify your path and avoid dead ends.
• can help get you obtain resources, relationships and knowledge to reach your goals.

Get started on your farm enterprise business plan today!
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Now offering Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings® in St. Clair/Monroe Counties, IL (Metro East)

In Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings® you will:

• Craft a detailed business plan for your farm enterprise
  • 48 hours of business planning seminars between October and March, much of it with established farmers, give you the time you need to focus.
• Learn at on-farm education field days and workshops during the growing season March through September
  • Field days help you gain knowledge of how farmers are working in Southern Illinois.
• Complete a one-on-one farmer mentorship
  • The second six-months of Farm Beginnings® includes your mentorship with an experienced farmer.
• Connect with people, books, and resources.
  • Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings® provides you books, resources, and your free 12-month membership in the Southern Illinois Farming Alliance so you can connect with other small farmers and sustainable producers.