INA, IL (Dec. 23, 2021) - Rend Lake College was awarded $281,229 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. The total amount awarded will extend over the 3-year life of the grant.
The RLC Advancement of Beginning Farmers and Ranchers Program will be set up to engage with beginning farmers and ranchers throughout the eight Southern Illinois counties served by the RLC district. The goal of the project is to provide participants who are interested in agriculture with resources that will help in the daily management and operation of farms and ranches.
A series of five-day workshops and field trips will be planned every year that will focus on basic livestock, forest management and crop farming practices. These workshops will also assist in financial risk management planning and the acquisition and management of agricultural credit.
The program will focus on farm safety and hands-on experience with farm equipment repairs and other basic options. Other subjects included in the workshops are mental health resources, new technology in farming, diversification, and marketing strategies, among other topics that participants would like to see.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) provides leadership and funding for programs that advance agriculture-related sciences. They invest in and support initiatives that ensure the long-term viability of agriculture. Gabriele Farner, Dean of Applied Science & Advanced Technology said, “the advancement in technology and available resources is huge for beginning farmers. This opportunity can help in building a solid foundation for their success. Family farms successful transitioning to the next generation is vital for our local area and the future of farms."
The RLC Advancement of Beginning Farmers will help local participants with getting started in their farming journey. For more information about the program, contact Gabriele Farner at 618-437-5321 x. 1292 or email farnerg@rlc.edu
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