Getting Started
Are you a “new farmer?" While this seems like a simple question, the definition of “new farmer” differs among agricultural support agencies and programs. This project is using the United States Department of Agriculture’s definition of “new farmer" which is anyone who has farmed for less than 10 years consecutively.
This definition spans a large audience including those just exploring their options in farming to those ready to turn their avocation into their full-time career. We realize this span of interest and experience with farming brings visitors to this site through many different doors. So, we have designed an interactive site map to help visitors locate resources more quickly based on their individual experiences and resources.
But first, if you are new to farming, download the Roadmap to Farming. This roadmap will help you initially analyze the decision to begin a farm.
Next, find resources you need by exploring the Beginning Farmer Success Resource Matrix below.
Beginning Farmer Success Resource Matrix
Acronyms used in the following chart:
- BFS = Beginning Farmer Success (this website)
- MREDC = Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center
- AM = AgMarketing
- FH = Future Harvest
- MFL = Maryland Farm Link
|
No Experience and No Access to Land |
Access to Land (Experience less than 10 years) | No Access to Land (Experience less than 10 years) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXPLORE |
Attend Field Days: Participate in Conferences and Workshops: Learn About Entrepreneurship: Leasing Land: Explore Trending Enterprises in Maryland: |
Attend Field Days: Participate in Conferences and Workshops: Your Land and Farmstead: Explore Trending Enterprises in Maryland |
Attend Field Days: Participate in Conferences and Workshops: Explore Trending Enterprises in Maryland: Leasing Land: |
| REFINE |
Learn about Marketing: Learn about Regulatory Issues: Managing Labor MREDC's Dream Plan Implement Module: |
Learn about Regulatory Issues: Managing Labor MREDC's Dream Plan Implement Module: Seek Training Opportunities: Expand Production Knowledge: |
Learn about Regulatory Issues: Managing Labor MREDC's Dream Plan Implement Module: Seek Training Opportunities: Expand Production Knowledge: |
| DEVELOP |
Seek Training Opportunities: Develop a Business Plan: Assess/Reasses Financial Needs: Find Marketing Outlets: Develop Risk Management Plan: |
Develop/Redevelop a Business Plan: Assess/Reasses Financial Needs: Assess Marketing Outlets: Assess Risk Management: |
Develop/Redevelop a Business Plan: Assess/Reassess Financial Needs: Assess Marketing Outlets: Assess Risk Management: |
| IMPLEMENT |
Connect and Network: Expand Production Knowledge: |
Connect and Network: |
Connect and Network: |