Beginning Farmer Institute

National Farmers Union's Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) is a free training programs for new producers of all ages and operation type/size. Participants attend three in-person learning sessions over the course of the year, one each in Washington, D.C., Northern California, and Savannah, Georgia. The sessions include farm tours as well as seminars on a variety of beginning farmers issues, such as business planning, USDA programs, and acquiring land.

Learn more about the Beginning Farmers Institute in the FAQs below!

Beginning Farmer Institute FAQs!

Eligibility

  • Must be 18 years or older.
  • Applicants should be currently farming or planning on starting within the next year.
  • Owning an operation is not required.
  • Operations of any type and size are eligible to apply.
  • This program is open to residents of the contiguous United States, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico.

    • Commitment

  • The Beginning Farmer Institute meets three times a year. Attendance at these meetings is required.


    • Application and Selection Process

  • Applications are made available on nfu.org February 1-April 15, 2019.
  • Each application will be carefully reviewed and analyzed for content and completion by a screening committee. A team of people who have hands-on farming experience will score applications.

    • Cost

  • NFU will cover the majority of the remaining costs of the NFU Beginning Farmer Institute including travel, lodging, and most meals during the event.


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    Expectation

  • NFU’s expectation is to have each institute graduate become an inspiration to and actively mentor similar individuals in their area or to become candidates for local boards and other community opportunities.


    • Stitched College Wildcats Jersey Blank Blue 2018-2019 BFI Participants

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    Deanne Boyer
    Pennsylvania

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    Stitched College Wildcats Jersey Blank Blue Rachel Brann
    Minnesota

    Leslie Caccamese
    California

    Jill Chi
    Minnesota

    Konnor Dehmlow
    Colorado

    Danielle Endvick
    Wisconsin

    Jesse Endvick
    Wisconsin

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    Kat Johnson
    Virginia

    Amanda Olson
    North Dakota

    Tyler Neubauer
    North Dakota

    Christina Pegg
    Hawaii

    Sarah Rachor
    Montana

    Elliott Salazar
    Colorado

    Rebecca Sheahan
    Delaware

    Sarah Stenuf
    New York

    Dion Stepanski
    Michigan

    Molly Stepanski
    Michigan

    Olivia Terry
    Colorado

    See More Photos from BFI

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    A special thank you to BFI's sponsors!