From Ideas to Working Farm Systems.

Groundwork Academy is a practical agricultural education platform that helps you turn plans into real, functional operations. Most people don’t struggle because they lack information. They struggle because they lack clarity—how to make decisions, how to align resources, and how to build something that actually works over time.
Groundwork Academy exists to solve that problem.

Quality Content

Real-world agricultural training built by active farmers, ranchers, and educators focused on profitable, regenerative, hands-on farm systems.

Proprietary Data

Original systems, planning tools, and educational frameworks developed from years of real-world farming, ranching, mentoring, and instruction. 

Hybrid & Online Training

Flexible online and hybrid training programs designed to combine practical agricultural education with real-world application and field experience.

Systems-Based Education

Learn to connect soil, livestock, crops, infrastructure, finances, and markets into one integrated agricultural business system.
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Progress

Success

Knowledge
Out team

Meet our instructors

Doug Havemann

Founder
Douglas W. Havemann is the owner of Mesquite Field Farm and founder of Groundwork Academy. As a regenerative farmer, educator, and mentor, he helps people transform ideas into practical, working farm systems through structured planning and real-world application.

Doug served 9 years in the U.S. Army and spent more than 20 years as a systems and solutions architect. His background brings a systems-based, execution-focused approach to agriculture that combines strategy, infrastructure, business planning, and operational efficiency.

At Mesquite Field Farm, Doug produces grass-fed beef, pastured poultry, produce, and honey while training beginning farmers and ranchers, transitioning military, and military veterans.

Groundwork Academy was created to provide the structure many producers are missing—helping students make informed decisions, align resources effectively, and build resilient farms and agricultural businesses that work in the real world.

Joe B. Vaughan Jr.

Senior product manager
Joe B. Vaughan Jr. is a journalist, author, musician, and business leader serving as CEO of RegeneratIT, a strategic partner of Groundwork Academy. Joe brings extensive experience in communication, technical writing, leadership, and systems thinking, helping transform complex ideas into clear, practical, and accessible information.

His work supports the structure, organization, and delivery of the Groundwork Academy platform, ensuring educational content remains aligned with real-world implementation. By combining creative disciplines with operational and technical expertise, Joe helps bridge the gap between knowledge, strategy, and practical application for students and producers alike.
COURSES

Explore our courses

01

Buy online courses for you

Self-paced online courses designed to help farmers, ranchers, and agricultural entrepreneurs build practical skills and stronger business systems.
02

Discuss with others

Connect with farmers, ranchers, educators, and mentors through collaborative discussions focused on real-world agricultural challenges and solutions.
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03

Interactive courses

Interactive courses combining videos, assessments, planning tools, and practical exercises designed to support real-world agricultural implementation.
04

Fully social learning

A collaborative learning environment where students engage with instructors, mentors, and peers through discussion, feedback, and shared experiences.

Explore our professional courses now!

Don't loose the opportunity to become happier, more effient and more effective in your daily professional life