Cultivating Farmers & Ranchers That Thrive

A Farmer Rancher Development Program by Valley Food Partnership

42

Participants Completed Core Curriculum Program 2022-2024

74%

Average Graduation Rate

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260+

Total Community Education Participants Since 2022

  • Holistic Management

  • Irrigation Water Management

  • Farm Finance and Lending

  • Whole Farm Planning

  • Leadership and Communication

  • Community Building

  • Business Planning

  • Marketing

  • Elective Continuing Education

  • Certifications and Regulations

  • Mentorships

  • Market Channels

“Low KEY BUT packed with information!”

About The Cultivating Farmers & Ranchers That Thrive Program

  • Cultivating Farmers and Ranchers that Thrive (CFRT) allows beginning farmers and ranchers to learn and develop their skills to become food and product providers with education, business training, mentorship, and land access. CFRT focuses on providing support that has a positive Social, Economic, and Environmental impact on farmers and ranchers.

    As a result of this program, you will be able to:

    • See the big picture of your farm

    • Learn holistic decision-making and problem-solving skills

    • Bring all decision-makers to the table

    • Prioritize the steps to start your farm/ranch

    • Restore health and productivity to land

    • Implement skills and tools towards becoming financially sound and economically viable

    • Develop a full business/farm plan for your operation

    • Gain contacts and build a network of support

    • Learn communication and leadership skills

    • Gain an understanding of water management in a high desert climate

  • Cultivating Farmers and Ranchers that Thrive was born from a gathering of beginning and experienced farmers and ranchers interested in addressing a two-fold issue in our community: a growing group of people interested in starting a farm with no lived experience, education, or knowledge of available resources and an aging producer population looking towards retirement but with no one to pass on their business or knowledge to.

    From this gathering, a Farmer, Rancher Advisory Team (FRAT) was developed that started to meet regularly to discuss key program areas, deciding on education, including key objectives, mentorship/internship, and land access.  Next partners were identified: Holistic Management International for education, the City of Montrose for land access, and Colorado State University to act as a 3rd party evaluator.

    In 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture selected Valley Food Partnership for a beginning farmer, rancher development grant, award # 2021-70033-35702.  From 2021-2024, VFP provided a year-long course focusing on the originally identified objectives and key areas while also staying responsive to the course participants.

    In 2025, VFP will continue to provide education, but we are looking forward to opening that up to all farmers and ranchers that are looking for additional education.  We will also continue to provide opportunities for social connections between beginning and experienced farmers and an incubator plot at the Botanical Gardens for beginning farmers.

    • Attend 75% of the Core Curriculum Classes

    • Attend at least two Continuing Education Classes and or Events

    • Complete assignments

    • Complete Pre and Post-Evaluations

“I have been able to apply some new practices to my accounting and budgeting, resulting in a better way of allocating my income back to my business.”

“As a beginner farmer in an aging agricultural community that I only just moved to 3 years ago, I found this program extremely helpful for my own mental health. I made friends that I can rely on for years. We can help each other out and ensure we all feel less alone by sharing knowledge and offering support.”

“Share Knowledge; Offer Support”

“The CFRT program was very eye-opening. I entered this program not realizing a farm should have a business plan. I ended the program understanding the importance of monitoring your financial health, how to calculate it, and how to plan for a profit.”

“Plan for Profit”

Would you like to know more? Take a look at class examples:

2024 Course Syllabus & Guidelines

Program Supporters

“Everything was presented well, and we could ask questions at any time.”

“Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”

Thomas Jefferson