“I’m here for you.” Peer-to-peer support for trying times

Come learn what to say and how to help someone who seems to be struggling. COMET™️ (Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory) is a community-based approach to activate rural community members to support one another in times of stress.

New Agrarian Program 101

NAP 101 is an interactive opportunity to learn more about the New Agrarian Program, hear descriptions of our 2025 mentor sites, and get a few tips on applying to the program. Although this call will be recorded and posted to our website, attending the live call gives applicants the opportunity to ask questions and meet the NAP staff who will help review applications.

Virtual fencing and grazing for ecological restoration

Join us for a fascinating webinar featuring New Mexico rancher, Jorge Ramirez, who will share his extensive experience in implementing rotational grazing and virtual fencing as a tool to promote ecological restoration.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Webinar Series: Farm Service Agency – Loans

This is part two of a five-part series on various agencies and tools within the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. In this second webinar of the series we will focus on the Farm Service Agency to learn about the direct and guaranteed farm ownership and operation loans they offer, and what can be purchased using the loans. We will be joined by Lauren Zimmermann, who serves as a program analyst for the Farm Service Agency and a USDA Beginning Farmer Rancher Coordinator in Montana.

2024 REGENERATE Conference

Save the date for REGENERATE 2024! We hope to see you in Denver at the National Western Center from November 6-8. This year’s conference, Innovating for a Resilient Future, will interrogate and explore data, technology, information collection and sharing, ways of learning and knowing, and the myriad approaches to fulfilling our ecological roles.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Webinar Series: Farm Service Agency – Programs

This is part three of a five-part series on various agencies and tools within the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. Lauren Zimmermann, who serves as a program analyst for the Farm Service Agency and a USDA Beginning Farmer Rancher Coordinator in Montana, joins us a second time to discuss the programs and services that the Farm Service Agency provides for beginning farmers and ranchers.

New Agrarian Program 101 Call

NAP 101 is an interactive opportunity to learn more about the New Agrarian Program, hear descriptions of our 2025 mentor sites, and get a few tips on applying to the program. Although this call will be recorded and posted to our website, attending the live call gives applicants the opportunity to ask questions and meet the NAP staff who will help review applications.

Mentor Training Series Call #2

Call #2: November 11, 12:00 p.m. |  Nov 14, 7:00 a.m. - Evaluating Written Applications
A strong evaluation process begins before you read a single application. Creating your review process in advance assures you’ll read for relevant experience as well as for potential in less experienced applicants.  We will share strategies for tackling the pile of applications, evaluation templates, and sample email responses to applicants who you would like to interview and those you will decline. 

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Webinar Series: Rural Development and Risk Management Agency

This is part four of a five-part series on various agencies and tools within the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. In this offering of the series, we are joined by Montana Beginning Farmer Rancher Coordinators, Marlee Johnston, an ag producer state specialist for Rural Development, and John Lockie, risk management specialist with Risk Management Agency, to discuss how Rural Development and Risk Management Agency work with beginning farmers and ranchers.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program Webinar Series: Natural Resources Conservation Service Programs

This is part five of a five-part series on various agencies and tools within the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. Our final call of the Getting Started with the USDA webinar Series will discuss programs and technical support the Natural Resources Conservation Service provides. NRCS provides leadership in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain and improve our natural resources and environment.

Mentor Training Series Call #3

Call #3: Interviewing For Your Best Candidate
Design an interview process that will reveal the skill level, motivation and aptitude of  applicants and determine if they are right for your operation. We’ll share great questions that lead to thorough responses regarding experience and motivation. What questions can’t be asked, for legal reasons? How do you find out what you most need to know? And how do you select your finalists?