We are now accepting applications for Stateline Farm Beginnings® Year 6: 2010-2011. The Early-Bird discount expires August 15, 2010 (postmark). Final application deadline is September 1, 2010 (postmark)

You can download the information packet for Year 6: 2010-11 course here. Please thoroughly read this packet of information. If you are interested in applying, complete the application and mail it with the non-refundable $100 deposit to ANGELIC ORGANICS LEARNING CENTER, 1547 Rockton Rd, Caledonia, IL 61011.

Download the 2010-2011 Stateline Farm Beginnings® information & application packet here

Scholarships are available and we strongly encourage everyone to apply. You can download the scholarship application here. (If you would like the application in Word format, click here.) 

Course Fee: $1500
(Scholarships and a flexible payment plan are available. Please inquire if you are interested.)

The course fee includes:
•    45 hours of classroom time
•    course supplies (including books and course binder)
•    CRAFT membership (2011--includes field day workshops, resources, CRAFT Handbook, informal day visits to member farms)
•    $200 one-on-one mentoring payment (paid to the mentor of your choice)
•    $100 reimbursement for skills building workshops you attend.

(The actual cost of the course is more than $4000 but, through the generous support of our funding partners, we are able to offer this course to students for $1500.)

Application Deadline Deadline:  September 1, 2010
(Envelope MUST be postmark on or before 9/1/2010)

$150 “Early Bird Discount” for applications received PRIOR to August 15, 2010
(Envelope MUST be postmark on or before 8/15/2010)

To apply, please send completed application(s) with the non-refundable $100 deposit prior to the application deadline. You will be notified regarding acceptance or denial into the program via email by September 15.

Make checks payable to Angelic Organics Learning Center
Mail to: Angelic Organics Learning Center, 1547 Rockton Road, Caledonia, IL 61011

Space is limited. We allow only fifteen farmer applicants into the course (a farmer applicant can include your business partner, family or life partner). This will keep course participation to a maximum of thirty people and provide time for more interaction with one another and the guest speakers. All applicants will be considered. The selection process IS NOT based on the order of receipt.

If you are unable to pay the full course fee, we encourage you to apply for a  scholarship. Please call or email us for a scholarship application.

Stateline Farm Beginnings® is aimed at both beginning and transitioning farmers who want to enter sustainable agriculture.   It is a farmer-led training program where you will develop your own farm vision and whole farm plan with guidance from successful sustainable agriculture growers from our region. Stateline Farm Beginnings® is a project of the farmers in the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) which is coordinated and administered by Angelic Organics Learning Center. CRAFT farmers have worked collaboratively for nearly twelve years to offer farmer-led training to prospective farmers through field days, workshops, and mentoring.  Stateline Farm Beginnings® will be entering its 6th year in October 2010 and has produced 123 graduates.  We are pleased to say that over 60% of our graduates are currently farming!

The information in this packet provides you with a draft program schedule for Stateline Farm Beginnings, graduate profiles, a list of the 2010 CRAFT field day workshops, the Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings® fact sheet, and an application form.

When you enroll in Stateline Farm Beginnings®, you enter a farmer-led learning environment that includes:
*    Winter coursework (9 sessions from October to March)
*    Approximately 10 CRAFT Field Day Workshops at regional farms (April to October, 2011)
*     Mentoring by successful sustainable agriculture farmers (either via internships, employment, or technical assistance arrangements).

This is a unique opportunity to learn directly from successful farmers. There are no college courses that will prepare you for starting or transitioning your farm in this same way. I hope you will join us this fall and build a solid foundation for realizing your farm dream.

For more information contact Joanne Wiedemann-Wolf, Program Assistant at craft@learngrowconnect.org or the learning center office @ 815-389-8455.

All Farm Beginnings® material was developed by the Land Stewardship Project based on the experiences of their farmer members. It is used by permission under license. To learn more, visit www.landstewardshipproject.org. Stateline Farm Beginnings® adapts these original materials based on the experiences of its CRAFT member farmers.