Want to Jump-Start Your Sustainable Farm Business?

Central Illinois Farm Beginnings (CIFB) is a full-year program for anyone wanting to engage in sustainable, entrepreneurial farming.

Through Central Illinois Farm Beginnings, you will:

• Learn critical farm management skills such as business planning, marketing strategies, and creative financing.
  
•  Articulate your values and goals into a vision and mission statement for your farm business.
• Formulate short- and long-term farming goals .
• Craft a detailed business plan for your farm enterprise.
• Learn critical farm management skills such as financing and marketing strategies.
• Tap into the knowledge of innovative and skilled farmers in central Illinois
•  Access opportunities for land and equipment use and/or rental
• Receive mentoring from a farmer engaged in a similar enterprise
•  Develop important connections with beginning and experienced farmers
• Make personal contact with a wide range of Illinois professionals that support small-scale local farmers, including USDA specialists, bankers, farmers market managers, reporters, and attorneys