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CONNECT WITH OUR fellowship PROGRAM
The Hoosier Beginning Farmer Fellowship Program aims to propel a cohort of outstanding beginning farmers forward in their farming journeys. ​These farmers must be in years 1-10 of their operations, and ready to take on a large project that will push their farms to the next level (thanks in part to the Fellowship funding). And together, they form a network of peers available for assistance and advice. Each farmer receives a total of $5,000 to compensate for their time engaging as Fellows. 
  • The goal of the cohort model is to create a bond between Fellows that offers camaraderie and allies for practical, technical or emotional support. The farmers will spend the winter connecting. They will meet five times over the course of February-April 2023, and join HYFC in our effort to connect beginning farmers statewide.
  • The goal of the compensation ($5,000) is to acknowledge the work farmers put into engaging with their Fellowship cohort. Ideally, the funds will offset costs incurred by participating in the Fellowship, and let the farmer tackle a major farm project that will advance their growing business, allowing these beginning farmers to build their capacity, scale up to the next level, and/or intensify their impact in local and regional food systems.
  • The Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition is committed to furthering racial equity in agriculture. We acknowledge that our food system is a racist system, and that white farmers and eaters have been offered advantages that have been kept from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community members. We want to use the resources of this Fellowship to contribute a more equitable food system in Indiana. We know that this is just a start, but for our 2023 Fellowship, all three (3) Fellowships will be offered to Black farmers, Indigenous farmers, and other farmers of Color. To read our full solidarity statement, click here.

By providing this Fellowship, the Hoosier Young Farmers Coalition aims to help beginning Hoosier farmers solidify their roles as successful, sustainable farmers building the food systems we need.