Marquart named to BFI program

BY CHRIS AARHUS, NDFU

April Marquart is interested in expanding her knowledge of the family’s ranching business. She farms with her husband and two kids north of Anamoose, where they raise Black Angus beef cattle.

Marquart will get her chance at furthering that education, being named to the 11th class of National Farmers Union’s Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI). She is one of 11 selected from across the country.

“I heard about it through Farmers Union,” she said. “I know there’s more I want to do (for the ranch), but not sure how to do all of it. I heard about this program and that it could really help with our operation.”

Over the course of nine months, attendees will participate in four sessions focused on technical training, mentorship and leadership development.

“I’m hoping to learn a lot of new stuff,” she said. “Anything that can help out.”

Established in 2011, BFI was created to help address concerns about the rapidly aging farm population. According to the most recent Census of Agriculture, farmers older than 65 outnumber those younger than 35 by more than six to one, raising serious questions about who will be operating America’s farms in the coming decades.

“The Beginning Farmer Institute is building the next generation of leaders for Farmers Union and their communities” said NFU President Rob Larew. “It’s no secret that as farmers, we need to set the next generation of farmers up for success. I am immensely proud of our team for putting words into action and building out this program.”

This scarcity of young and beginning farmers is not due to a lack of interest – rather, it is due to immense barriers to entry, including the difficulty of land acquisition, high upfront costs, and a shortage of educational opportunities.

During the program’s hands-on training sessions, participants will gain practical skills to overcome any hurdles they may face, including business planning, accounting, insurance and labor management. The program will employ the Farm and Ranch Business Health Assessment, a tool used to help farmers set goals for strengthening their business.

The other 10 farmers selected to participate in the 2023-2024 Beginning Farmer Institute are Anjelica Lusco (Ky.), British Griffis (Ill.), Hannah Alden (Wis.), Laurel Smith (Colo.), Lexi Linsenman (Mo.), Mallaidh Mleziva (Wis.), Melissa Mahon Stein (Wis.), Romondo Woods II (Mich.), Slade Sizemore (Penn.) and Tammy Copenhaver (Mont.) .

NFU Foundation has continued to grow BFI through the generous support of CHS Foundation, Farm Credit, and Farmers Union Industries Foundation. More information about BFI can be found at nfu.org.

— NFU contributed to this story