BFRDP Projects

The long-term goal of Entrepreneurial Small Farmers of Southern Illinois (ESFSI) is to increase the number of beginning farmers from underrepresented and low-income groups who farm using sustainable farming practices in southern Illinois. ESFSI is modeled after the original Southern Illinois Farm Beginnings program with an expansion of objectives into skills development components for specialty crops, humane animal husbandry and a critical discussion about land access for farming and resources for conservation management. The newest component, Cottage Food Training and Certification, was developed and delivered, helping farmer trainees to generate cash flow through value-added foods using their own or locally sourced ingredients during early farm development. Mentorship and Farming Alliance field days assisted new farmers in skills development and regional farming practices for success.

In Year 1, we recruited 12 farmers with with less than 10 years experience, and provided holistic farm financial education for beginning farmers, sustainable farming skills development, and assistance navigating land and resource access. By reducing common barriers for entry into farming (ie, lack of knowledge and access to resources), ESFSI has supported Food Works in recruiting people of color, women, veterans, LGBTQ and low-income farmer trainees into agriculture. 92% of trainees began actively farming by the close of Year 1 (9/2024).