Our Beginning Farmer Training Program - aka “KY Farm Launch” - is a 9-month, in-person training program based in Lexington, KY. 

KY Farm Launch is jointly hosted by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension program, the Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Organization, the UK CSA, and The Food Connection @ UK. The program is funded through USDA/NIFA award #2024-49400-43646. 

The goal of KY Farm Launch is to provide training to beginning farmers with an accelerated, customized training program that prepares them for sustainable, commercial production upon completion of the program. The program provides hands-on farm training (one full day per week), business planning, and marketing training and development, in a supportive community of other beginning farmers. 

Our targeted audiences are beginning farmers with less than 10 years of experience. There is no cost for the program, but it does require a passion for launching your farm operation and an ability to participate in-person for one full day per week (March – November 2026).

 To learn more about the program, visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) page. 

Applications for our 2026 Cohort are now open. Applications will be reviewed monthly and will close February 1, 2026.

To apply to the program or receive more information, please fill out the 2026 KY Farm Launch Application & Interest Form. 

Program funded by USDA/NIFA Award # 2024-49400-43646 (Years 2024-2027)
Program funded by USDA/NIFA Award # 2021-70033-35706 (Years 2021-2024)