Welcome!

Thank you for your interest in enrolling in National Farmers Union's Beginning Farmer Institute. Digital applications must be submitted through this webform by 11:59 pm ET on December 1st, 2021.

A printable version of the application is available at https://nfu.org/education/beginning-farmer-institute/.

Please note that the following required attachments should be uploaded in the designated fields on the final page of this webform prior to submission:

• A current resume, no longer than one page, that lists accomplishments.
• One reference letter in support of your candidacy for NFU’s Beginning Farmer Institute.
• A 2-3 page – typed and double-spaced – essay describing your current farm or ranch operation, how you envision your operation in 5 years, and how participating in BFI will help you achieve this.

To save your progress, click the "Save" button at the bottom of the screen. You will receive a link via email allowing your to resume your progress later. Upon completion, you will receive a PDF copy of your responses.

Questions? Email Charlie Michel (cmichel@nfudc.org).

Introduction

National Farmers Union's Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) is a free, year-long training program intended to improve the health of your farm or ranch business. The program is open to producers ages 18 and up and is inclusive of all operation types and scales of production.

Each cohort is selected through a competitive application process. If accepted, you will attend seminars, network with peers, pursue independent learning activities, and receive one-on-one technical assistance.The program is structured around quarterly trainings led by experts in business management and the cooperative business model. During the ten weeks between trainings, participants complete up to four hours of assignments, including reviewing videos, completing self-assessments, and answering reflection questions.

Upon completion of the program, participants will be given a scholarship to attend NFU’s Anniversary Convention. This event provides the opportunity to network with hundreds of Farmers Union members, hear from speakers about policy issues that impact farmers, and identify future leadership opportunities.

Program Objectives

Business Formation

• Choose or maintain the appropriate business structure for your circumstances.
• Improve your process for tracking and managing assets put into your business.

Taxation

• Identify specific tax deductions available for your farm or ranch business.
• Develop a list of questions to bring to a CPA for assistance with filing your tax return.

Accounting

• Begin using your Balance Sheet as a management tool to make decisions about your business.
• Establish or improve your processes for calculating cost of production and cost of sales.

Land

• Determine how much farm or ranch land you can afford to purchase or lease.
• Identify the steps required to create a succession plan for your operation.

Labor

• Identify responsible labor practices for managing family, contractors, apprentices, and volunteers.
• Understand applicable laws governing wages, working hours, Worker’s Compensation, and payroll taxes.

Credit

• Create or update your current month-by-month business cash flow budget.
• Identify sources of operating credit, credit for asset purchase or improvement, and credit for land acquisition.

Business Planning

• Develop or improve your farm or ranch business plan.
• Develop a list of questions for your insurance provider about getting coverage for your farm or ranch.

Application Process

Thank you for your interest in NFU’s Beginning Farmer Institute. Described below are the procedures for applying as well as the process we use to screen and select candidates for the program. Please read the directions carefully and be sure to upload all required materials as described below.

Each prospective participant must submit a complete application. Those applying as a partnership must submit separate applications. In addition to the completed application, each applicant must also include the following:

• A current resume, no longer than one page, that lists accomplishments.
• One reference letter in support of your candidacy for NFU’s Beginning Farmer Institute.
• A 2-3 page – typed and double-spaced – essay describing your current farm or ranch operation, how you envision your operation in 5 years, and how participating in BFI will help you achieve this.

Each of these documents should be uploaded on the final page of this webform.

Selection and Expectations

A team of Farmers Union staff and leadership and program alumni will review each application. All application content will be kept confidential. You will be notified of your admission status no later than March 1, 2022. Acceptance is conditional upon your submission to and NFU review of a background check.*

Participants must attend all programing in its entirety, including reporting punctually and completing homework assignments prior to each quarterly training. Three trainings will be hosted virtually on Zoom and one session will be hosted in-person in St. Louis, MO. Each virtual training will last a total of four hours spread over two days. The in-person training will be hosted over the course of one weekend and will include farm tours, shared meals, and other social activities. Tentative dates are as follows:

• May 14-15, 2022 (virtual)
• July 30-31, 2022 (virtual)
• October 15-16, 2022 (St. Louis, MO)
• January 7-9, 2023 (virtual)

Participants who complete all the necessary requirements will be given a scholarship to the National Farmers Union Anniversary Convention in San Francisco, CA in March 2023. The scholarship will include travel, lodging, and most meals during the event.

We expect each BFI graduate to seek opportunities to mentor peers in their area, hold a local board position, or pursue other community leadership opportunities. NFU provides ongoing outreach and support to participants after the program concludes.

*BFI participants may share lodging with one-another during in-person programming. NFU asks participants accepted into the BFI cohort to consent to a background check which may provide information about criminal records available from national registries and local databases. Participants will receive a secure email link that will capture contact information in order to run a report. All records are maintained in a secure portal.

Participant Benefits

Participants are entitled to benefits intended to support their progress towards the program objectives, including:

• Farm Commons Producer Membership. This one-year membership puts ready-made legal knowledge at your fingertips through interactive and on-demand workshop series, resource libraries, and community forums.
• Direct technical assistance. Between sessions, participants will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with content-area experts including accountants, insurance agents, and food safety educators.
• Farmers Union Membership. Participants who are not currently Farmers Union members will receive a one-year membership, which offers benefits ranging from local networking and advocacy opportunities to discounts for farm apparel, equipment, and seeds.
• Fearless Farm Finances. We provide a free copy of this essential resource to all participants and facilitate an optional book club with other members of the BFI cohort.
• Travel stipends and scholarships. Stipends will be provided to assist with travel, lodging, and meal costs for those wishing to attend their state or regional Farmers Union convention. Additionally, all participants meeting program requirements will receive a scholarship to the National Farmers Union Anniversary Convention as described above.