In 2023-2024, Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings plans to continue with its expanded farmer training program to reach out to young, young-at-heart, and underrepresented farmers with the intent to teach holistic farm financial management and marketing, farming skills for specialty crops and humane animal husbandry, and navigation of land and resource access. People actively preparing to begin their farm or within their first 10 years farming are encouraged to apply. Throughout the program, farmers lead in-person and virtual sessions, sharing their experiences with beginning farmers. The inclusion of farming skills training reduces trial-and-error approaches, saves financial and human resources, and improves success. All farmer trainees develop and present their farm plan, participate in a farmer mentorship, and become members of the Food Works’ Farming Alliance network upon completion of the program.

If you would like to mail in your application, click here for a pdf, and you can mail in your application to Food Works, PO Box 3855, Carbondale, Illinois, 62902.