The Land Connection has a full menu of options to meet our nation’s growing need for new farmers raising good food for their communities.
For one example of our work, watch this video about farmers coming together to grow food for their downstate community with the help of The Land Connection and Heifer International.
If you’ve ever wanted to direct-market your farm products, here are some Land Connection programs that will help you get started.
Is Entrepreneurial Farming for You is a four-hour, interactive workshop for anyone just starting to think about starting a farm/food enterprise. The workshop covers resource assessment, goal-setting, financial planning and marketing options. Participants learn what it takes to start and manage a farm-based business, and decide whether this is the path you are ready to take. For more information click here.
Central Illinois Farm Beginnings (CIFB) is a year-long program for those with a strong commitment to creating sustainable farm businesses but with limited on-farm production or farm-management experience. Farm Beginnings® includes a series of nine seminars on business planning, field days, and customized mentorships with area farmers. Successful Central Illinois farmer-entrepreneurs participate directly in all seminars and play a leadership role in field days and mentorships. For more information click here.
Click on map to see where our farmer-graduates
are farming throughout the state of Illinois.
Central Illinois Farm Beginnings® is based on a model developed by the Land Stewardship Project. It is used by permission under license. Our steering committee, facilitators, evaluator, and trainees have all participated in adapting the program to meet the needs of Central Illinois Farmers.
