Project Overview
Montana’s beginning farmers face many of the same challenges as producers around the country, including access to land, training opportunities and mentorship. The third lowest state population density in the U.S., amplifies these challenges. Beginning farmers often travel large distances to access resources. Building capacity for training and mentorship on farms that offer BFR training increases access and quality of support.
This project, Sustaining On-Farm Success: Building Resilience Through Farmer Led Training, creates integrated training, mentoring, and collaborative support services for beginning farmers in Montana. This project supports beginning farmers from pre-startup through year ten, with tailored approaches appropriate for each phase of business development. Early stage BFRs build comprehensive farm startup skills through farm-based training, establishing farmers receive individualized support to continue developing their plans through startup, and latter stage BFRs are trained to be mentors and co-trainers while accessing professional development specific to the needs of their operation. All of the participating farmers will be connected through a network of farmer cohorts meeting across the state for collaborative learning and social support.
With the long term goal of profitable, sustainable farm businesses thriving within supportive communities, this project will produce: 25 new farm startups, 90 beginning farmers with business plan documents, 60 new farmland opportunities, 45 farmer mentors, 1170 hours of individualized mentorship and technical assistance, 45 tailored farmer professional development opportunities, and 50 farmer cohort meetings.
Number of Participants: 183
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