Center for Rural Affairs Press Release
LYONS, NEBRASKA — Applications are now being accepted for the fourth cohort of the Center for Rural Affairs’ Beginning Farmer Conservation Fellowship program.
Beginning farmers who want to deepen their conservation knowledge are invited to apply. Fellows will complete coursework in conservation programs and practices, climate change adaptation and impacts, racial equity, and leadership. Diverse applicants are encouraged to apply.
“Across Nebraska, farmers and ranchers are working to implement working lands conservation practices, such as cover crops, rotational grazing, and pollinator habitats,” said Cait Caughey, beginning farmer and market associate with the Center. “These practices are vital to the health of our soil and environment while producing healthy food. Beginning farmer fellows will benefit from the curriculum we’ve developed with partners and experts on on-farm conservation practices, climate science, and climate change mitigation strategies.”
Fellows will attend program classes and field days, design and implement a conservation project on the farm with technical assistance from Center staff, and have an opportunity to present at local conferences and give an on-farm tour. The program runs from Jan. 30, 2025, to August 2026.
Eligible beginning farmers must be actively farming in Nebraska and engaged in farming for fewer than 10 years.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 4, 2025. For more information on requirements and to apply, visit cfra.org/beginning-farmer-conservation-fellowship-program.
