Farm Beginnings Whole Farm Planning Course

If you are interested in learning more about Farmer Assistance's Beginning Farmer Program please email bfp@grownyc.org.

GrowNYC Farm Beginnings is a comprehensive agricultural course developed for farmers by experienced farmers and Farmer Assistance staff. The program is designed for a wide range of participants looking to start farm enterprises, including farmers with agricultural experience from their home countries, NYC and urban farmers looking to scale-up to rural farming. 

Applicants with at least one full season of farming experience or extensive growing knowledge will be considered for the Farm Beginnings course which occurs Thursday evenings in October to December. The course covers values-based goal setting, financial planning, marketing, access to land, capital, and legal requirements and considerations.

Applications for the 2023 Farm Beginnings course will open in June. If you'd like to be notified when applications open, please write to bfp@grownyc.org and ask to be added to the list.

Mentoring

In addition to the classroom sessions each participant will have the opportunity to meet with an experienced farmer mentor to gain skills in a relevant agricultural enterprise.

Technical Assistance

Farmer Assistance provides technical assistance to all graduates of the Farm Beginnings Course. Staff will support you in creating a concrete farm plan and in taking the steps necessary to start farming.

Field Days and Workshops

As part of the Farm Beginnings Whole Farm Planning course we offer a series of beginning level skills workshops and on-farm field days. These events are designed to give aspiring farmers a sense of the agricultural region around New York City while also introducing them to some of the farmers who have previously graduated from the course. 

Due to air quality conditions, all GrowNYC outdoor programming sites will be closed Thursday, June 8th and Friday, June 9th. 

  • Food Access & Agriculture

    Our network of Greenmarket farmers markets, Farmstands, and Fresh Food Box sites, coupled with GrowNYC Wholesale, ensures that all New Yorkers have access to the freshest, healthiest local food.

  • Zero Waste

    We provide food scrap drop-offs, clothing collections, Stop 'N' Swap® community reuse events, and zero waste trainings to make resource conservation easy for all.

  • Green Space

    We build and rejuvenate community gardens and urban farms in all 5 boroughs, and support even more gardens through volunteer days, technical assistance, school garden grants, & more.

  • Education

    We foster future environmental stewards by providing 66,000 children each year with programs that provide meaningful interactions with the natural environment.