FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2016

Contact: Andrew Jerome, 202-314-3106
ajerome@nfudc.org

SALINAS, Calif. (November 7, 2016) – The National Farmers Union (NFU) Beginning Farmers Institute (BFI) reconvened in Salinas, California, on Friday, November 4, for the second of three annual programming sessions. Seventeen beginning farmers and ranchers from across the country attended the two-day, hands-on learning session hosted in partnership with the Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA), the Farmer Veteran Coalition, and California FarmLink.

“It’s no easy feat to get started in the business of farming and ranching. Through BFI, beginning farmers and ranchers connect with a variety of experienced producers and industry experts, who share best practices for being successful in agriculture,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “NFU is proud to offer collaborative educational opportunities, like BFI, that help to empower the next generation of family farmers.”

The BFI programming offers hands-on technical training that emphasizes many of the challenges beginning farmers face in their careers, increasing their likelihood to be successful in their operations. The central California session featured presentations on land and capital access, grant writing, marketing, and best production practices from several local farmers and Michael O’Gorman, executive director of the Farmer Veteran Coalition.

Participants also had the opportunity to tour ALBA, Hain Ranch Organics, Pinnacle Organics Ranch, Coke Farm and JSM Organics.

The beginning farmers and ranchers participating in the 2016-17 BFI program are:

  • Betty J. Anderson, Wisconsin
  • Jaime Baker, Wisconsin
  • Brittany Ann Bula, Wisconsin
  • Layne E. Cozzolino, Wisconsin
  • Jimmy Dula, Colorado
  • Tommy Enright, Wisconsin
  • Caitlin Hladky, Colorado
  • Justin Loch, Montana
  • Katie Jantzen, Nebraska
  • Christy Ottinger, Maryland
  • De’Quinton Robertson, Iowa
  • Eric Robert Sannerud, Minnesota
  • Amanda Schaub, Montana
  • Ariana Taylor-Stanley, Washington
  • Josh Stolzenburg, Wisconsin
  • Zach Teske, Kansas
  • Daniel Waldvogle, Colorado

The BFI program is made possible through the generous support of CHS Foundation, Farm Credit, Farmers Union Industries Foundation, and the National Farmers Union Foundation. The final program session will be held in San Diego, California, in March 2017.

Audio files for Roger Johnson’s quotes are available at nfu.org/audio.

National Farmers Union has been working since 1902 to protect and enhance the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers, ranchers and rural communities through advocating grassroots-driven policy positions adopted by its membership.

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