Program Overview
Virtual Spring Session: Farm Dreams Intensive
- A 7 week interactive group course designed for aspiring and beginning farmers to turn farm dreams into clear farm business visions
- Featured guest speakers: farmers and technical service providers
- Structured peer to peer learning, personal learning plans, and market research
- Pricing: $800 (scholarship assistance is available, $25 application fee which counts towards total)
- Scheduling: twice a week, February 28th to April 13th
- Wednesday nights, 6 - 8pm CT
- Saturday mornings, 10am - 1pm CT
Hybrid Summer Break: Optional Mentorship and Coaching
- While we break from meeting as a group, the learning can continue through optional personalized farm operations mentorship and coaching from our instructor team
- Personalized learning plan support, follow ups, and guidance thru emergent business opportunities
- 5 hours of mentorship with a farmer managing an enterprise aligned with your interests
- Pricing: $300 ($250 direct to farmer, scholarship assistance is available).
- Scheduling: Flexible, Post Farm Dreams Intensive between April - December
Virtual Fall Session: Farm Business Intensive
- A 7 week interactive group course designed for Farm Dreams Intensive completionists and farmers with 3+ years experience managing an income generating farm business
- Featured guest speakers: farmers, finance professionals and service providers, technical service providers
- In-depth conversations with finance professionals and service providers, business plan audit or development - marketing plan and financial projections
- Pricing: $900 (scholarship assistance is available)
- Scheduling: twice a week, October 2nd to November 16th
- Wednesday nights, 6 - 8pm CT
- Saturday mornings, 10am - 1pm CT
Payment Plans
Tuition can be paid in multiple installments. A plan will be collaboratively developed during our consultation.
Refunds and Cancellations
Unfortunately there are no refunds. In the event of cancellation, we'll hold spot for you in subsequent programs.
Our program can help you receive Usda funding |
As a United States Department of Agriculture - Illinois Farm Service Agency (FSA) approved Borrower Training program,
we fulfill up to two years of the three year farm management experience FSA loan requirement. Other requirements for successful loan application range from production space to farm sales records - both of which our program will support you in securing. |
Meet the instructor and learn more about Farmers Rising
Our Farm Beginnings® instructor, Rashad X, is focused on bringing energy, facilitating interactivity, and fostering long running community between participants of farm beginnings. Before entering the food industry as a farmer and garden workers prior to Farmers Rising, Rashad spent years teaching topics ranging from social entrepreneurship to community organizing, running startup ventures ranging from an indie film social streaming platform to an adult social studies bootcamp cooperative. Prior to his teaching and startup years, he spent several years working as an analyst on wall street.
Want to hear from Rashad and others in our organization - check out the video below! |
Interested in The Fall Farm Business Intensive session?
Want to get a head start on applying for 2025 Farm Beginnings®?
Have General Questions about Farm beginnings®?
Email Rashad - rashad@farmersrising.org