Online Learning Community

The Missouri Beginning Farmer Program’s Online Learning Community is a tool to help beginning farmers learn from each other, essentially it is an online mentoring program.

Presently you will find the archived webinars on topics of "getting started in farming", "pastured poultry", "organic agriculture", "soils", "social media marketing", "selling at farmers' markets" with upcoming webinars on "direct marketing of meat", "SARE Farmer/Rancher grants" and "beekeeping". 

Couldn't make it to any of the workshops this year or last.  Not a problem, you will find PowerPoint presentations, handouts materials and pictures of the farm tours from the 2011 Workshops as well as from the 2010 Workshops.  2011 Workshops include "high tunnel production and installation", "getting started in organic agriculture", "berry and grape production" with 2010 workshop materials "growing for local markets", "berry options and productions", "tractors 101", "direct marketing".  Upcoming workshop materials will be added after each event.  Upcoming workshops include "direct marketing to the consumers", "accessing federal programs", "cheese making for profit", blueberry production", organic agriculture for the beginning farmer".

Got a question and don't know the answer but sure would like to have the answer.  Don't sweat it.  Log onto the Online Learning Community and ask your question on one of the farmers forums.  The farmers forum includes 3 different threads of topics at this time: "tractors and equipment", "grass-based farming", and "beginning farmers".  Just email and we can add a new thread for discussions between beginning farmers, experienced farmers and experts in the field.

• To join the Missouri Beginning Farmers Program Online Learning Community you will need to create a passport (registration with a login name and password) to the Online Learning Community.

• Here is video to assist you with the creation of your passport.

• Search for Missouri Beginning Farmers Program and you will find the Online Learning Community.

• Here is a video to assist you with signing up for the online learning community

You can also follow us on Facebook at Missouri Beginning Farmers Program.  Also check out our website for publications and additional information.