Diversify your skills to reach your goals
The New Agrarian Program year-long Manager Fellowship will start its third season in October 2026.Â
Production skills are gained in the first years of a ranching career, but most positions don’t offer the opportunity to actively engage in the business, financial, and leadership aspects of the operation. Career advancement depends on developing strong skills in operational management including team communication, enterprise analysis, basic accounting, marketing, and much more. In response to this, we’ve designed a management-level training program that supports skill development necessary to launch an enterprise or secure management-level employment.
Everything you need to know
Our Program
In-person kickoff event
October 26-28 in Santa Fe, NM prior to the REGENERATE Conference, where fellows will receive training on business planning and leadership development, connect and build relationships with one another. Fellows will walk away with a business canvas model to help guide the development of their business or career for the upcoming season.
Access to experienced ranchers and experts​
Fellows will be introduced to a group of mentors who are excited to provide coaching and share advice on a range of topics related to successfully operating a ranch business. Coaching will focus on business and leadership topics rather than production topics.
Virtual Orientation
In early October to review the program, set individual goals, and begin creation of individual holistic goals, mission, and vision statements
Required trainings
Business planning, business structures, financial management, insurance, communication and leadership skills, and branding your business. See the list of classes and teachers below.
Monthly office hours
Office hours create support for fellows working on budgets, business plans, marketing strategies and other program elements.
Required Trainings
Manager Fellows will gain a solid foundation in agricultural financial and business management, livestock and direct marketing, strategies for accessing land and capital, leadership, organizational systems and more. Anticipated curriculum and instructors include the following with more to be added:
- Business Canvas Model, Decision Grids, etc – Dave Pratt, Ranch Management Consultants
- Accounting in Agriculture 101 and Enterprise Analysis – Caroline Wild, Wild Ranch Solutions
- Business Structures – Colorado State University Extension Agriculture and Business ManagementÂ
- Building a Values-Based Business – Cole Bush, Shepherdess Land & Livestock, Grazing School of the West
- The Systems That Shape How We Work Together– Shannon Stober, Jump Start Training
- Livestock Marketing – John Wagner, 4L Grazing, Ferrell Ranch
- Land Access Panel – Mary Ellis, Montana Farm Connect and panel
- Creative Capital AccessÂ
- Business Planning with New Agrarian Program staff
- Mission, Vision and Goal Setting with New Agrarian Program staff
FAQs
Who is eligible to participate in the program?
Participants must be working in production agriculture, either running their own business or enterprise, in a ranch management position, or actively working toward entrepreneurship or ranch management. Participants may be located anywhere in the U.S., but preference will be given to those who are in the Western region. Participants are expected to be invested in fully participating in the program, to further their own career development and business goals, as well as those of their fellow early career agrarians.
What is the cost to participate in the program?
Registration for the program is $500.00 This includes lodging and lunches at the kickoff event, access to all training modules and associated office hours, and additional coaching and advice from program mentors as needed. A significant portion of program expenses are being covered by grant funds. We recognize that $500.00 may be a financial burden for some participants. If registration cost is of concern, please reach out to Hayden Vandeberg (hayden@quiviracoalition.org)Â to discuss your needs.
Will participants be expected to cover any additional expenses?
Fellows will be responsible for getting themselves to and from Santa Fe, NM for the kickoff event. If flying, check flights into Albuquerque International Sunport or Santa Fe Regional Airport. There are shuttles and the Rail Runner train from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Quivira will cover lodging, lunch, and instructor expenses at the event. Limited scholarships will be available on an as-needed basis for those who need additional travel support in order to make this trip possible.
Move into management
and entrepreneurship
Applications open August 15, 2026 and close September 20, 2026. Top candidates will be invited to a 30-minute phone interview on a rolling basis, to elaborate on anything included in the written application, and provide an opportunity for applicants to ask questions about the program. We anticipate having 12 fellowship spots available in 2026-27.Â
We recommend drafting your application responses in a word processor (you can copy the questions from this doc) and then copying and pasting your answers into our form. You should get a confirmation email after you submit your application – if you do not get a confirmation email, please contact us.