Heifer Ranch of Heifer Project International has started a Beginning Farmer training program that not only gives new farmers practical experience, but also gives them capital to start their own farms.

Heifer Project International is a non-profit organization best known for giving livestock to people in developing countries so they can provide their own food. Heifer Project also has three learning centers in the United States devoted to various other programs. At the Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas, there’s a Community Supported Agriculture program, an organic market garden to supply the ranch’s kitchen, and several other farming-related programs.

Chuck Crimmins, the farmer who is developing the Beginning Farmer program, said that apprentices are expected to spend three years at the ranch’s organic vegetable gardens. The apprentice will have free access to land and equipment, and will sell to markets that are already established. But, unlike most apprenticeships that pay only minimal wages, the Heifer Ranch program will allow the apprentice to accumulate the profits from the farming venture. Over three years at the CSA project, Chuck said, that should amount to $25,000 or more.

“You can go to any farm and work hard and learn,” Chuck said. “But if you can take away $25,000, you can have a down payment for a farm and something to live on till you make a profit on your own. We’re looking for people who are so serious about farming they will give up a big chunk of their lives. They need to come with enthusiasm and sweat equity; we provide the rest.”
Chuck currently has one person starting the second year of the three-year track, so he is looking for another person to join this spring. He said that the apprentices are currently slated to grow for the 160-member CSA, but he would be willing to talk to anyone interested in starting another farm venture such as flowers or medicinal herbs.

“The market is so untapped in Arkansas,” he said. “I think there’s a lot of possibilities. We just need a good mature person with enthusiasm and a work ethic.”

To learn more about the Beginning Farmer training program, contact Chuck at 501-889-5124 or chuck.crimmins@heifer.org.