|
What
is Farm Beginnings?
Course Information
Register for Course
Meet Our Graduates
In the News
Livestock Loan
Beginning Farmer Resources
Farm Beginnings Home |
|
Course
Information
Classes
On-farm Education
Classes
2008-2009
We are pleased to announce the 2008-2009 class dates for Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings program. By participating in Farm Beginnings, you will have the opportunity to develop goals that reflect your values, while also connecting with and learning from some of the area’s most innovative and successful farmers, local entrepreneurs and other beginning farmers. The classes run from the end of October 2008 to the first part of March 2009, followed by the on-farm education component including farm tours and skills sessions. During 2008-2009, classes are being held in two locations. The application deadline is Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2008.
Goodhue, Minn.
12 miles from Red Wing
Saturday, October 25, 2008 — 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, November 8, 2008 — 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, November 20, 2008 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 4, 2008 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 18, 2008 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 8, 2009 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 22, 2009 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 5, 2009 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 19, 2009 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 7, 2009 —10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, March 12, 2009 (SNOW DATE)
Paynesville, Minn.
30 miles southwest of St. Cloud on Hwy 23
Saturday, October 18, 2008 — 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, November 1, 2008 — 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 — 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 28, 2009 —10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, March 1, 2009 (SNOW DATE)
The course includes:
- 36 hours of seminar time, much of it with established farmers.
- 12 on-farm education events, including farm tours and skills sessions on working farms.
- Course books, binders and other materials.
- Connection to a network of established sustainable farmers interested in helping you succeed.
- A one-year Land Stewardship Project membership.
- Application for a livestock loan for those successfully completing Farm Beginnings.
To download a course application, click here.
For more information or to have application materials mailed to you, contact:
Karen Benson
Land Stewardship Project
P.O. Box 130
Lewiston, MN 55952
Phone: 507-523-3366
E-mail: lspse@landstewardshipproject.org
Download a sample class
outline to see what topics are covered in Farm Beginnings.
Course Fee
The cost for the 10 month course is $1,500. The $1,500 covers the farmer
presenter's time, the materials, on-farm education and a complimentary
year long membership in the Land Stewardship Project. There are a limited
amount of scholarship dollars available to help if there is financial
need. If you are considering a scholarship, you need to get your Farm
Beginnings and scholarship applications in by
Tuesday, August 28, 2008.
Download the scholarship application
and worksheet.
back to top
On-farm
Education
Participants spend the spring and summer attending on-farm education
sessions. They have the opportunity to tour a wide variety of farms that
encompass many different systems of farming. View
a sample farm tour schedule.
Farm Tours
Tours are arranged to visit a variety of farms during the course…
April- August. The purpose is to see many different operations, look at
the systems each farm family has implemented, ask questions about production
methods, farming techniques and be exposed to creative problem solving.
The tours will consist of a tour of the farm, an overview from the farmers
and a time for discussion and questions.
Public Farm Beginnings Events Spring & Summer 2008
The Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings program will be holding
public field days and educational events on organic agriculture, grazing, animal husbandry, value-added processing and marketing at various locations in the region in April, May and June 2008. These events are open to the public; there will be a nominal charge.
• Organic 101 Workshop April 1 in La Crosse
Want to learn the basics of how to get in on the organic farming revolution? An “Organic 101” workshop will be held Tuesday, April 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, Wis.
The workshop will be led by Jim Riddle, Organic Coordinator for Outreach at the University of Minnesota’s Organic Ecology program. Riddle has more than 25 years experience as an organic farmer, inspector, researcher and policy maker. During the workshop, the basic foundations of organic philosophy, regulations, certification and policy will be covered to aid participants in understanding the dynamic organic marketplace and how to access that market. The workshop will also provide participants an overview of organic farming systems and the most current production methods.
To register and for more information, contact Heather Flashinski at 715-289-4896 or fbse@landstewardshipproject.org. More information is also available at www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/08/newsr_080321.htm.
• Intro to Grazing Workshop April 12 in La Crosse
An increasing number of farmers in the Upper Midwest are turning to managed rotational grazing as a way to raise livestock in a manner that is profitable, efficient and protects the environment. The basics of setting up a grazing plan will be the focus of a special workshop Saturday, April 12, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse, Wis.
The workshop will be led by Howard Moechnig of Midwest Grasslands. Moechnig has extensive experience setting up grazing plans for farmers throughout the region. During the workshop, he will help participants work through optimal paddock location/size, watering options, lane set-ups and monitoring methods. Forage management will also be covered. Participants are encouraged to bring aerial photos, soils maps and topographical maps of their own farms so they can begin planning.
To register and for more information, contact Heather Flashinski at 715-289-4896 or fbse@landstewardshipproject.org. More information is also available at www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/08/newsr_080322.htm.
• Pasture-Based Dairying Field Day April 26 Near Goodhue
How to produce and market pasture-based milk will be the focus of a field day Saturday, April 26, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., on the Roger and Michelle Benrud farm near Goodhue, Minn.
The Benruds graduated from the first Farm Beginnings class 11 years ago. They now produce certified organic milk on pasture. They market their milk through PastureLand (www.pastureland.coop), an award-winning cheese and butter cooperative consisting of six southeast Minnesota grass-based farming operations. PastureLand is certified by the National Organic Program of the USDA and Food Alliance Midwest.
During the field day, the Benruds will discuss how they built up their operation using limited resources, and how they are being rewarded for their efforts through a value-added market.
To register and for more information, contact Heather Flashinski at 715-289-4896 or fbse@landstewardshipproject.org. More information is also available at www.landstewardshipproject.org/pr/08/newsr_080323.htm.
• Holistic Mgt., Hog & Cattle Production/Marketing Focus of May 3 Field Day Near Kerkhoven
*The production and direct marketing of pork, beef and chickens will be the focus of a Farm Beginnings field day Saturday, May 3, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., on Pastures A Plenty Farm near Kerkhoven, Minn.
Pastures A Plenty (www.prairiefare.com/pastureshp.htm) is owned and operated by the VanDerPol family. Over the years, they've used the Holistic Management decision making model to transition their conventional farm into an operation that produces hogs, cattle and chickens using alternative methods such as deep-bedded hoops houses and managed rotational grazing.
During the field day, the VanDerPols will discuss how they use Holistic Management to make decisions that take into account the environment, family quality of life, the community and long-term profitability. They will also discuss how they market to food co-ops, local restaurants and directly to consumers via their on-farm meat store. Finally, the field day will feature a discussion of hog farrowing and hog health issues, as well as the VanDerPols' replacement heifer operation.
To register and for more information, contact Amy Bacigalupo at 320-269-2105 or amyb@landstewardshipproject.org.
• On-Farm Dairy Processing June 14 in New Prague
Adding value to grass-based dairy products will be the focus of a Farm Beginnings field day Saturday, June 14, at Cedar Summit Farm near New Prague, Minn. Cedar Summit Farm (www.cedarsummit.com), which is owned and operated by the Minar family, produces milk and other livestock products on rotationally grazed pastures. They process their milk in an on-farm creamery and market locally and regionally under the popular Cedar Summit brand label. Their dairy products are certified by the National Organic Program of the USDA and Food Alliance Midwest. They also market various meat products directly to consumers.
Dave and Florence Minar have served as Farm Beginnings instructors and mentors over the years. During this field day, they will describe how they balance grass-based livestock production, on-farm processing and environmental stewardship in an area being inundated by sprawling development.
To register and for more information, contact Amy Bacigalupo at 320-269-2105 or amyb@landstewardshipproject.org.
• Grazing & Pasture Assessment June 21 in Canby & Marshall
Preparing a grazing plan and assessing pastures on a western Minnesota grazing operation will be the focus of a Farm Beginnings event Saturday, June 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in the Minnesota communities of Marshall and Canby. During the morning session in Marshall, Howard Moechnig of Midwest Grasslands will discuss issues important in preparing a grazing plan. Topics covered include paddock location/size, forage management, watering options and lanes, as well as general concepts and indicators for developing and monitoring a grazing operation. Bring aerial photos, soil maps and topographical maps of your farm to begin planning.
In the afternoon, the event will move to the Lyle Kruse farm near Canby. Kruse, who is a Farm Beginnings graduate (www.landstewardshipproject.org/fb/profiles/kruse.htm), raises crops and livestock. Moechnig will lead an assessment of Kruse’s rotationally grazed pastures. During that session, participants will learn how to evaluate pasture conditions and identify forage species. They will also see firsthand how one farm has set up its paddocks and lanes.
To register and for more information, contact Susan Hurst at 320-839-7132 or fbwest@landstewardshipproject.org.
Skills Sessions
The Skills Sessions were piloted in 2005-2006 and often accompanied a
farm tour with a focus on specific hands-on learning. Some examples from
the 2005-2006 year were preparing winter CSA shares, weeding techniques
on an organic vegetable farms, fence building, calf care, prepping for
and attending farmers markets.
back to top
|
|
® 
