KY FARM LAUNCH: A BEGINNING FARMER ACCELERATOR PROGRAM FOR KENTUCKY

The goal of this project is to develop a cohort-based, mixed modality beginning farmer training program that kick-starts the development of their small farm business and accelerates their pathway to the land. This will be accomplished by the following Project Objectives:Objective 1: Increase knowledge in production skills among program participants across the suite of enterprises most common to beginning farmers in Kentucky. Objective 2: Enable farmers with the business planning, financial goal setting and resources to develop their farm business in the first five years after graduating from the program, and the resources to serve them as their farm business grows. Objective 3: Create a pathway to the land for all program participants that is appropriate to their farming goals for their first 3-5 years of farming based on their goals, resources, and business plan. Objective 4: Embed program participants in technical assistance networks for ongoing production, business planning, food safety, and market development support.