The Land Stewardship Project’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 of it as in-person sessions in Minnesota’s Twin Cities. 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 in this application.
