Tell Us About Your New Farmer Training Program

by Bob Benenson, FamilyFarmed.org

Consumer interest in Good Food is growing fast — so fast that it will be very difficult to meet future demand unless the supply of sustainably and locally produced food expands. One requirement for that expansion is assisting a new generation of young farmers to get established, and giving them the tools they need to succeed.

The Land Connection, a non-profit organization based in Champaign, Illinois, has posted the details of its 10th annual Central Illinois Farm Beginnings Program. It is aimed at people described as having “strong commitment to creating a sustainable farm business, but with limited farm production or farm management experience.”

The program, which begins Oct. 18 and runs through March, includes “nine full-day Saturday seminars that focus on intensive business and enterprise planning.” These classes will be held at Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery near Champaign.

But The Land Connection is just one of many new-farmer training programs across the nation. Other programs in Illinois alone include:

* The Farm Business Development Center at Prairie Crossing Farm in Grayslake

* Angelic Organics Learning Center in Caledonia

* Growing Power in Chicago

* Growing Home in Chicago

* The Black Oaks Center for Sustainable Renewable Living in Pembroke Township

* Windy City Harvest in Chicago.

And we want to bring others to our readers’ attentions as well. So if you are running a farmer-training program, participating in one, or have benefited from one that you want to give a shout-out, please let us know by posting a comment below.