BFRDP Projects

The goal of this project was to expand the Four Corners Training Network for High Desert Farmers (FCTN), offer an immersive experience to beginning and aspiring farmers seeking to establish businesses at high elevations or in dry climates/short seasons by providing skills, knowledge connections and continuing education that will lead to business viability and success.
Our objectives were to strengthen the FCTN; impart knowledge to beginning farmers that enabled them to be successful vegetable farmers in growing conditions across the Mountain West; and increased the number of new independent farms in the surrounding area and in communities with similar growing conditions.

The FCTN created pathways for beginning farmers to receive more training and start their own businesses in subsequent years and regional partner networks in areas with similar growing conditions. The Farmer-in-training (FIT) Program at the Old Fort expanded to include seven Summer Short Courses (SSCs) that emphasized practices designed to be successful in high-elevation conditions. A Spring Farmer Training Immersion (SFTI) was offered remotely to program graduates who continue to farm, and other beginning farmers accessing support through the FCTN. As the FCTN, we believe that beginning farmers need multiple years and sources of support to succeed. Project partners attended the Farmer Training Convergence, and worked to develop and support farmers in second-year placements, including mentoring, incubator programs and land access opportunities.

The expanded FIT program met the demand for hands-on farmer training and coursework, and allowed other programs to focus on helping farm businesses get established by developing and delivering all other components of beginning farmer education.