Those selected for the next class are Shannan Tenze of Colorado; Maggie Mills of Maryland; Eric Hoese, Carsten Thomas, Brent Krohn and Bryce Krohn, of Minnesota; Paul Kanning of Montana; Josh Norby, James Hansen and Loretta Hansen of North Dakota; Amanda West of Virginia; and Jennifer Gibson of Wisconsin.

“The Beginning Farmer Institute underscores our commitment to growing a new generation of family agriculture,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.

“The program helps answer questions new farmers have. It also allows us to share our expertise to answer questions that people might not think of asking when they begin farming.”

Institute participants will meet several times over the next year to learn about financial planning, farm management, and farmer-owned cooperatives.

In addition, they will help determine the agenda based on what they have identified as important to their operation. Topics include marketing, understanding US Department of Agriculture programs, renewable energy, recording keeping, farm transitioning and understanding the local food system.

“Farming is both a profession and a way of life, and it demands a lot from people,” said Mr Johnson.

“Farmers are entrepreneurs, conservationists, mechanics, managers, and they have to do all of these things well in order to operate a farm around the clock, month after month, year after year. They grow our nation’s food, feed, fuel, and fiber from the ground up.”

The selected individuals from across the nation range from cattle ranchers and grain farmers to those growing for farmers markets to urban farmers. The program is sponsored in part by Farm Credit, CHS Foundation, FUI Foundation and the NFU Foundation.