Farm Beginnings Deadline this Friday

Farm Beginnings Training Program

Deadline to Apply is this Friday, October 18

Farm Beginnings is a farmer and rancher led training and support program that provides the tools to successfully launch a profitable and sustainable farm enterprise.

Classes are held every other Saturday starting November 2013 in Rapid City.

Topics Include:

Whole Farm Planning

Financial Planning

Business Planning

Marketing

Connecting with Resources

Connecting with Mentors

Deadline is Friday, October 18 so apply today!

Participants will also have the opportunity to:

Engage in summer on-farm field days

1-1 Mentorships or Apprenticeships

Scholarships are available and special funding opportunities for veterans may exist.

Contact Heidi at heidku@dakotarural.org to find out more!

Check out graduate profiles

Share with friends and family who want to get started with their own farm business.

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Dakota Rural Action

We organize and build community power in promoting and protecting natural resources & resilient food and energy systems for future generations in South Dakota.

Dakota Rural Action

11 hours ago

📅Mark your calendar! Join us this November in Pierre for DRA’s 39th Annual Meeting! This will be an opportunity to meet our new Executive Director, connect with members from across the state, and celebrate our wins from 2026. Friday’s dinner will feature speaker Austin Frerick, a 7th generation Iowan, acclaimed author, and leading voice on the corporate takeover of our food system. ℹStay tuned for updates & registration information coming soon! ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

18 hours ago

⚠ Sioux Falls folks, if you're wondering about data centers & want more info, check out this event next week. Come & be part of the conversation. ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

3 days ago

🚨Take Action to keep electricity rates affordable!Black Hills Energy wants to raise electricity ⚡ rates for their South Dakota customers by 25% - tell the state Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to reject this request!💲In BHE’s filings to the PUC, the company said that this increase will add about $25 per month to residential bills (about $300 per year). On top of rising grocery prices, gas prices, and healthcare costs, many South Dakotans are already struggling. 📌BHE has to get approval from the SD PUC to increase their rates, and YOU can weigh in on this process. ⏰Submit your comment today! It doesn’t take long, and your comment becomes part of the public record. The PUC needs to hear from as many of BHE’s 75,000 South Dakota customers as possible. 🗒Comments must include: Black Hills Energy’s name, the docket number EL26-003, your full name, mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number. These comments should be emailed to puc@state.sd.us or mailed or hand-delivered to PUC, 500 E. Capitol Ave., Pierre, SD 57501. ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

5 days ago

❓Did you know that nearly half (49%) of South Dakota's nursing home residents are enrolled in Medicaid? This provides essential coverage for elderly or disabled people who can't remain in their homes. 📌This fall, the ballot measure Amendment I could undermine this coverage for elderly and disabled South Dakotans. 📌South Dakotans approved Medicaid Expansion in 2022. Amendment I would automatically end Expansion if the federal match falls below 90%, leaving far fewer options for people faced with these tough decisions. #Medicaid #ElderCare #RuralHealthcare ... See MoreSee Less

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Dakota Rural Action

6 days ago

⚠️While this project is across the border in Wyoming, it's still in the Black Hills National Forest. You have until Aug. 28 to submit your comments, which you can do either online or via the mail. 📌Comments may be sent electronically to cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=291093📌Written comments may also be submitted to: Black Hills National Forest Supervisor's Office, 1019 N 5th Street, Custer, SD 57730. Written comments will be accepted by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time on August 28, 2026. Comments submitted after this date may not be included in the analysis. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered.📌Please remember to keep your comments civil and focused on the project itself. Thank you for your action!Bear Lodge Rare Earths Project – COMMENTS NEEDED!On July 29, 2026, the Black Hills National Forest announced a comment period for a rare earths mining project proposed by Rare Element Resources Inc (RER). This project is no longer on hold.DEADLINE TO SUBMIT COMMENT IS 8/28/2026 11:59:59 PM (MST).COMMENT ONLINE:cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/CommentInput?Project=291093SEND WRITTEN COMMENT TO:Wendy Schuyler, Project Managerc/o Bearlodge Ranger District101 S 21st StP.O. Box 680Sundance, Wyoming 82729605-673-9361wendy.schuyler@usda.govREADING ROOM:cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public/ReadingRoom?Project=291093To read more about this project, go to: bhcleanwateralliance.org/rare-earths/ ... See MoreSee Less

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Farm Beginnings Deadline this Friday October 14, 2013

Farm Beginnings Training Program

Deadline to Apply is this Friday, October 18

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