Do you dream of having your own vegetable, livestock or grain farm, but don’t know where to start? Then join us on a three week journey to sketch out your farm dream so that you can turn it into a farm reality!
The online Farm Dreams workshop series will be held over three consecutive Tuesdays in October (8, 15, and 22) from 6-8 pm. Each session will include exercises and guided discussion to help aspiring farmers assess their skills and resources, and provide direction for next steps in building a farm business. Participants will be expected to complete some work independently prior to sessions to allow for the best use of our time online together. Registration to attend all three sessions costs $30 and limited scholarships are available.
Session 1 – October 8th | 6:00 – 8:00pm CDT | Online
Getting Acquainted with Farming | Assessing readiness and identifying needs.
“Very holistic coverage of what could/should be considered needs in starting a farm. I’ve done needs assessments for other fields so it was extremely helpful to see what all to consider in this space.” – 2023 Workshop Participant
Session 2 – October 15th | 6:00 – 8:00pm CDT | Online
Building a Dream | Explore the varied paths to farming with insight from Illinois producers.
“I greatly valued hearing from a diverse group of growers with varying experiences to provide candid insights to being a beginning farmer.” – 2023 Workshop Participant
Session 3 – October 22nd | 6:00 – 8:00pm CDT | Online
Creating a Path | Determine your next steps toward starting a farm business.
“I loved the interactive parts in the breakout sessions because it’s always great to learn the human side of things and learn what others’ hopes and dreams are.” – 2023 Workshop Participant
Farm Dreams Workshop is a three session, six hour total, virtual crash course organized and facilitated by the two Illinois organizations who administer Farm Beginnings programs/trainings:
The Land Connection — Beginning Farmer Support, Training, and Mentorship
Farmers Rising — Stateline Farm Beginnings
*Farm Dreams Workshop is a snapshot of a more involved program – Farm Beginnings.
Everyone has dreams, and if farming is yours then this online workshop series is definitely a place to start turning your dreams into a reality.
This 3-part interactive online Farm Dreams workshop series is a collaborative effort of Farmers Rising, and The Land Connection and is made possible with generous support from the Routes to Farm Alliance. Routes to Farm is a collaborative effort to make resources available to farmers who are launching or growing their farm businesses.
