Our Beginning Farmer Training Program, aka “KY Farm Launch” is a 9-month, in-person training program based in Lexington, KY. It is jointly hosted by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension program, the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Organization, the UK CSA, and The Food Connection @ UK, and funded through USDA/NIFA award #2024-49400-43646. The goal of KY Farm Launch is to provide training to beginning farmers with an accelerated, customized training program that prepares them for sustainable, commercial production upon completion of the program. The program provides hands-on farm training (one full day per week), business planning, and marketing training and development, in a supportive community of other beginning farmers. Our targeted audiences are beginning farmers with less than 10 years of experience. The program is free, but does require an ability to participate in-person for one full day per week from March – November and a passion for launching your farm operation. Program application is below.  Visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) page for some of the most common questions about the program.

If you are interested in our programs please complete the
Request for Information(program application) form here: 

https://uky.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8phSczYURDEDavA

Program funded by USDA/NIFA Award # 2024-49400-43646 (Years 2024-2027)
Program funded by USDA/NIFA Award # 2021-70033-35706 (Years 2021-2024)