Celebrating Our 2026 Farm Beginnings Graduates

Congratulations to our nine 2026 Farm Beginnings graduates! Farm Beginnings is a 12‑week course that provides hands‑on, community‑driven education in sustainable agriculture, guided by local farmers who view farming as a holistic way of life. Participants receive individualized support in developing a comprehensive whole farm plan and gain access to essential resources that support long‑term farm success.

The curriculum is updated each year to remain relevant, practical, and responsive to the evolving needs of farmers. New this year was the incorporation of the CliftonStrengths assessment, which helped participants identify their unique strengths and better understand how they naturally think, feel and behave as farmers and business owners. The program also welcomed new guest speakers including Noreen Keesey, a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, who presented on CliftonStrengths, Elizabeth Phares Oren of the North Dakota Women's Business Center who led a session on marketing, and Jeanette Ramirez of Farm Commons, who presented on business structures. We’re excited to see how these graduates grow and where their farm businesses take them in the years ahead. Read more about our graduates and their farms below.

F&F Farms is owned by Chad Faaborg and is located near Devils Lake. The farm is in its initial year as a vegetable operation with plans to install a high tunnel and begin land reclamation efforts. This growing season, Chad plans to produce a wide variety of vegetables including cabbage, peppers, tomatoes, basil, radish, peas, broccolini, carrots, onions, beans, garlic, asparagus, cucumbers, potatoes, and zucchini. Future plans include adding oats and hay as secondary crops and transitioning the farm to organic production. 

Moses Johnson is the owner of Holy Ground Regenerative Stewardship, a regenerative lawn care service located in Grand Forks. The business focuses on regenerative turf care, which addresses the root causes of lawn health issues by replacing synthetic fertilizers and chemicals with living biological inputs. This approach rebuilds soil health while improving turf appearance in a safe and sustainable way. Compost, organic amendments, microbial inoculants and ferments inputs are all made in house to support healthy, resilient soils. Follow Holy Ground Regenerative Stewardship on Facebook.

Krunchy Kitchen is owned by Anna Axt of Harvey, and is a small home based bakery specializing in fresh, made to order breads crafted with freshly milled grains and non-toxic ingredients and cookware. Krunchy Kitchen also offers fresh farm eggs and seasonal produce when available. Anna values the freedom and flexibility that come with working from home while producing high-quality, thoughtfully made food. Future plans include selling additional farm made products such as soap, tallow, herb, tea, vegetables, and more. 

Amber Portillo is the owner of Little Green Gardens located in Driscoll. What started as a small garden has grown into a diverse operation producing fruits, vegetables, value added goods like small batch jellies, and handmade goat milk soap. The farm is rooted in sustainable practices focusing on low or no-till methods and a belief that everyone deserves access to healthy, nutritious food. This year, Amber is excited to expand her poultry production for eggs and meat. Follow Little Green Gardens on Facebook and Instagram.

Karalyn Pitner, owner of Pitner Provisions in Norwich is a small family run farm. A backyard garden evolved into a more intentional operation in 2024 and officially launched as Pitner Provisions in 2025 with the opening of a vintage trailer farmstand. The farm produces a mix of vegetables, cut flowers, and small batch canned goods using simple, sustainable practices that prioritize soil health and land stewardship. Today, the farm is a shared family effort with their three daughters helping plant, harvest and run the stand. Follow Pitner Provisions on Facebook and Instagram.

Thyme and Grace Farm, owned by Jennifer Symens and Sloane Russell is located near Balfour. This mother daughter duo purchased the farm in 2024 and has been working diligently to bring it back to life. Their focus is on no-till farming and conservation practices that prioritize the health of the land. This year, the farm plans to grow and sell fresh vegetables as well as duck eggs. 

Turkey Road Farm / Massage Alchemy Botanicals located in Casselton is owned by Jeff Bueche and Shannon Radcliffe Bueche. For more than 25 years, they have thoughtfully transformed their rural farmstand into an herb and berry farm. The farm produces a wide range of herbal remedies and botanical products made from plants grown on site. Through sustainable farming, wellness offerings, educational classes and events, Shannon and Jeff are committed to sharing the healing power of plants and fostering a nature connected way of living. Follow Turkey Road and Message Alchemy Botanicals on Facebook. 

The experiences of this year’s participants reflect the heart of Farm Beginnings. Graduates shared that the program helped them move from “winging it” to intentionally planning and building real farm businesses, with clearer vision, stronger financial awareness, and better systems for decision‑making. Others noted that while they entered the course with a plan, Farm Beginnings and FARRMS provided the tools and confidence to create a clear vision and strong financial systems for better tracking and decision making. Just as importantly, the connections to mentors and a supportive farming community made the work feel less isolating, leaving participants feeling prepared, supported, and confident as they move into the next growing season.

Interested in Participating in 2027? 

Farm Beginnings runs from January to March, offering interactive weekly online sessions and mentorship meetings. The course covers a range of essential topics, including business and financial planning, financial resources, effective marketing strategies, food safety practices and more. If you are interested in participating in the 2027 Farm Beginnings course, please sign up at https://www.farrms.org/succeed or for questions reach out to our Farmer Educator, Jake, at jcallander@farrms.org.