Learning Opportunity For Beginning Farmers

New Farmer U, a one-and-a-half-day weekend conference offered on October 29th and October 30th in Willow River, Minnesota, offers beginning farmers business planning and production insights to move their farms forward. New Farmer U is presented by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) and Renewing the Countryside.

“Farmers in their first five years on the farm have unique challenges,” said Sarah Woutat, MOSES Farmer Advancement Program Coordinator and New Farmer U manager. “In this training, they’ll learn the ropes from experienced farmers, and connect with other beginning farmers who can relate to what they’re dealing with.”

The conference focuses on farm financial and business management for intermediate beginning farmers, 3-6 years of farming experience, or anyone who is ready to plan for future success. The schedule includes
workshops on developing wholesale markets and institutional sales, income diversification, land access and financing, online marketing, farm employment law, and whole farm recordkeeping.

New Farmer U takes place at Camp One Heartland in Willow River, MN. The $50.00 registration cost includes supper and onsite lodging Friday night, Saturday breakfast and lunch, and all workshops. Scholarships and interpretation services are available. Scholarship applications must be submitted by August 27, 2021.

New Farmer U participants have the option to attend an additional half-day workshop on Friday, October 29th prior to the conference for $25. This popular workshop, “Fearless Farm Finances” covers basic farm financial management and is based on the book by the same title, published by the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES). The workshop will be led by the book’s author, Paul Dietmann, of Compeer Financial and all attendees will receive a free copy of the book (a $20 value).

Find more details about New Farmer U and the workshops at NewFarmerU.org or call 888-90-MOSES.