Land Stewardship Project

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Farm Beginnings

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  • Farm Beginnings Application
  • Farm Beginnings Español
  • Graduate Profiles

LSP’s Farm Beginnings class is a 12-month training session that helps beginning farmers clarify their goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan, and start building their operation. The course uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network. Farm Beginnings focuses on the business management skills of farming. We do not go in depth on specific how-to’s of growing and raising crops or livestock.

Farm Beginnings is designed for new and prospective farmers who want to plan a profitable farm business. Students do not need to currently own or lease land, but some farming or production experience is helpful to get the most out of the class.


Applications are now OPEN for the 2026-2027 Farm Beginnings class.

The class will run from December 2026 through March 2027. The 2026-2027 class will be hybrid, with about half of the class taking place virtually via zoom and half in-person sessions in the Twin Cities (Minnesota). The cost of the class is $1000, which covers up to two participants per farm. Partial scholarships are available and you can indicate your interest within this application.

The cost of the class is $1,000, which covers up to two participants per farm. Partial scholarships are available and you can indicate your interest when you apply.

FB Application 2026-2027

Inscríbete aquí en español

FB Class Schedule 2026-2027


Is Farm Beginnings a Good Fit for You?

Beginning farmers face steep barriers because corporate power, discrimination, and a system favoring commodity crops shut too many people out of agriculture. Farming should be a fair, viable path for anyone—and a just system must support diverse farmers, healthy food, thriving communities, and repair past harm.

Farm Beginnings Course: A Community of Support

The Land Stewardship Project’s Farm Beginnings initiative creates thriving small and mid-sized farms by providing a place for people to name their vision and acquire the tools and instruction they need to make it happen. It also provides a community of support to help them succeed over the long term.  

The Farm Beginnings class is a 12-month training session that helps beginning farmers clarify their goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan, and start building their operation. The course uses a mix of farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours, and an extensive farmer network. Farm Beginnings focuses on the business management skills of farming. We do not go in depth on specific how-to’s of growing and raising crops or livestock. 

Farm Beginnings is designed for new and prospective farmers who want to plan a profitable farm business. Students do not need to currently own or lease land, but some farming or production experience is helpful to get the most out of the class. 

In this class, participants will:

-Establish quality of life goals and clarify their values.
-Learn about whole farm planning, marketing and financing.
-Write a farm business proposal.
-Learn from some of the most innovative and skilled farmers operating in the Midwest.
-Learn alongside a classroom of your peers.
-Access an extensive network of farmers through the Farmer Network.
-See sustainable farming practices in action on active farms.


Farm Beginnings Guiding Principles 

• Farmer Led 

Farm Beginnings is a farmer-led training program for new and beginning farmers. It was started by experienced farmers, and farmers participate at all levels as steering committee members, classroom presenters, on-farm presenters, and on-farm mentors. We believe that the leadership of farmers of color is vital to the sustainable agriculture movement.  

• Community Based 

Farm Beginnings offers new and beginning farmers a means to establish strong relationships with local farmers, businesses, resources, and consumers within a community network that supports and strengthens the local food and farming system. 

• Racial Equity

We acknowledge the historical and ongoing racial inequities and oppression towards farmers and communities of color. We commit to furthering our own understanding and supporting the farmers we interact with to do the same. We commit to using the power and influence we have across our organizations to build more inclusive and equitable agricultural systems and implement changes that make it possible for more farmers of color to be successful.  

• Rooted in Sustainable Farming

Farm Beginnings programs support sustainable farming by promoting farming practices that are ecologically sound, economically viable, socially just, and achievable for new and beginning farmers.

Farm Beginnings News

  •  Beginning Farmer Program for MN, WI & IA Accepting Applications for 2025-2026 Course

    July 16, 2025

    LEWISTON, Minn. — One of the most successful beginning farmer training programs in the country is now accepting applications for its 2025-2026 course session serving the…

    News Releases
    beginning farmers, Farm Beginnings, farm transitions
     Beginning Farmer Program for MN, WI & IA Accepting Applications for 2025-2026 Course
  • California Dreaming

    June 30, 2025

    2025-2026 Farm Beginnings Class
    LSP is now accepting applications for its 2025-2026 Farm Beginnings class session. For details, click here.
    ♦ ♦ ♦

    By the time Elyssa Eull…

    Farm Beginnings Profiles
    beginning farmers, California Street Farm, CSA, Elyssa Eull, Farm Beginnings, soil health, Twin Cities Metro Growers Network, urban agriculture, vegetable farming
    California Dreaming
  • The Other 80%

    June 30, 2025

    2025-2026 Farm Beginnings Class
    LSP is now accepting applications for its 2025-2026 Farm Beginnings class session. For details, click here.
    Before jumping into agriculture, Kevin Keene worked…

    Farm Beginnings Profiles
    begninning farmers, business planning, direct-marketing, Farm Beginnings, Keenes’ Greens, Kevin Keene, land access, vegetable farming
    The Other 80%

Contact:

• Annelie Livingston-Anderson, LSP Farm Beginnings organizer, 612-400-6350, e-mail

  • For Farmers & Landowners
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      • Beginning Farmer Profiles
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      • Farmland Clearinghouse
      • Farm Transition Course 2026
      • Conservation Leases
      • Beginning/Retiring Farmer Tax Credit
      • Land Transition Tools
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