Agri News
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Fendry talks about Farm Beginnings Program
By Carol Stender
Agri News staff writer
12/13/07
ST. CLOUD, Minn. — NFO member Matt Fendry started his operation from scratch.
At the Minnesota NFO convention in St. Cloud Saturday, the Lanesboro farmer described how, with no farm background or family assistance, he enrolled in Land Stewardship Project's Farm Beginnings program. He learned how to write a business and financial plan and worked with a farmer mentor. He graduated from high school in June 2001 and started to build his facility.
He had 15 Jersey cows and has built the herd to 30. He has 160 acres of hay and pasture and purchases grains for his feed ration.
Fendry credits LSP's Heifer Loan program as an important start to his operation. The loan offers zero percent interest for five years, he said.
He worked with LSP and a financial adviser on the loan.
Fendry transitioned his Jerseys to organic and now sells milk to Organic Valley. The prices are stable and his cows and land are healthier, he said.
"I encourage everyone to look at it," he said. "Because of Farm Beginnings, others like me are excited about the dairy industry. I encourage you to look at your farms and look at how to bring someone in by helping them."
Fendry married his wife, Rebecca, in September. The couple plan to expand to 40 cows.
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