Groundwork Core Program

The Groundwork Core Program is Groundwork Academy's flagship agricultural planning and business development program. Through two integrated phases, students develop the knowledge, systems, and personalized Working Farm Plan needed to build resilient agricultural businesses with intention.
Authentic agricultural instruction

What Is the Groundwork Core Program?

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The Groundwork Core Program is a comprehensive agricultural planning and business development program designed to help farmers, ranchers, veterans, homesteaders, and agricultural entrepreneurs build resilient farming businesses with intention.

Rather than focusing on a single enterprise or production practice, Groundwork guides students through the process of evaluating their goals, available resources, enterprise opportunities, infrastructure needs, finances, labor requirements, and market strategy before making significant investments.

The program combines practical agricultural planning with sound business principles, helping students make informed decisions that support long-term profitability, stewardship, and resilience.

Every student develops a personalized Groundwork Working Farm Plan that serves as a practical roadmap for implementing and managing their agricultural operation.
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Phase 1: Groundwork Business Planning

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Build a strong foundation by defining your vision, evaluating your resources, selecting the right enterprises, planning infrastructure, developing financial projections, identifying market opportunities, and creating your personalized Working Farm Plan.
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Phase 2: Market Systems Intensive

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Transform your farm plan into a practical business by developing ownership and recordkeeping systems, evaluating costs and pricing, selecting market channels, building marketing strategies, and creating an implementation roadmap for long-term success.
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Week 1: Vision & Enterprise Intent

Define your long-term vision, clarify your goals, and identify the agricultural enterprises that best align with your resources, interests, and objectives.

Week 2: Capacity & Constraints

Evaluate the land, water, labor, equipment, finances, and time available to build a realistic and sustainable farming operation.

Week 3:  Enterprise Selection & System Fit

Compare enterprise opportunities and determine how they work together as an integrated agricultural business.

Week 4: Infrastructure & Sequencing

Plan the facilities, equipment, and infrastructure needed to support your enterprises while establishing a practical implementation sequence.

Week 5:  Financial Framework

Develop enterprise budgets, estimate startup investments, evaluate profitability, and understand the financial implications of your decisions.

Week 6:  Integrate & Implement

Identify customers, evaluate marketing opportunities, and select market channels that align with your operation and long-term goals.

Week 7:  Integrated Working Farm Plan

Combine all previous work into a completed Groundwork Working Farm Plan that serves as the roadmap for implementing and managing your agricultural business.

Weeks 1–2: Build the Business Foundation

Establish the legal, financial, and operating foundation of the farm business through ownership structure, bookkeeping, taxes, cost of production, pricing, and profitability analysis.

Weeks 3–4: Develop the Market System

Evaluate direct-to-consumer and wholesale opportunities, select appropriate market channels, plan logistics, and develop a practical strategy for connecting production with customers.

Week 5: Integrate and Implement

Bring the financial, market, and operational decisions together into a unified business strategy that addresses risk, implementation priorities, and the final integration of the Groundwork Working Farm Plan.
The Groundwork Working Farm Plan

The roadmap for building your farm with intention. Rather than leaving with notes, disconnected worksheets, or unfinished ideas, every graduate develops a personalized planning document that brings together their vision, enterprise decisions, infrastructure planning, financial framework, labor requirements, market strategy, and implementation priorities into one integrated plan. Designed specifically for each student's operation, the Groundwork Working Farm Plan becomes a practical management tool that can guide decision-making long after the program is complete.

Schedule and Time Commitment

Plan your weeks with clear expectations and milestones
  • One module released weekly
  • One live Zoom discussion each week
  • Self-paced lessons with structured weekly progression.
  • One Working Farm Plan assignment completed each week.
  • Approximately 4–6 hours per week.

Who Should Join?

Beginning Farmers

You are ready to start farming and want a structured planning process that helps you make informed decisions before investing significant time or money.

Existing Farmers & Ranchers

You want to strengthen your operation, evaluate new enterprises, improve profitability, and build a long-term strategy for sustainable growth.

Veterans & Military Families

You are transitioning into agriculture and want to apply the leadership, discipline, and planning skills developed through military service to build a successful farm business.

Agricultural Entrepreneurs

You want to build a resilient agricultural business through intentional planning, sound financial decisions, and practical implementation rather than trial and error.

Step 1 — Apply or Register
Choose an upcoming Groundwork Core Program cohort and complete the enrollment process through Groundwork Academy.

Step 2 — Prepare for Success
Receive program access, orientation materials, and everything needed to begin building your Working Farm Plan before the first week starts.

Step 3 — Complete the Program
Progress through the 7-week Groundwork Core Planning System and the 5-week Market Systems Intensive while developing your personalized Working Farm Plan.

Enrollment steps in 3 minutes

How Enrollment Works

Follow three quick steps to secure your seat. You will get immediate details and clear next actions after enrollment. Enrollment is intentionally limited to maintain a high-quality learning experience and meaningful interaction during live instruction.

FAQs

Do I need farming experience to enroll?

No. The Groundwork Core Program is designed for both beginning and experienced farmers. The planning framework adapts to your goals, resources, and level of experience.

Do I need to own land before taking the program?

No. Many students begin planning before purchasing land or starting their operation. Groundwork helps you make informed decisions before making significant investments.

Will I build a real plan for my own farm?

Yes. Every lesson, assignment, and planning exercise contributes directly to the development of your personalized Groundwork Working Farm Plan.

How much time should I expect to spend each week?

Most students should plan for approximately 4–6 hours per week, including lesson videos, assignments, Working Farm Plan development, and live discussions.

What happens after I complete the program?

Graduates leave with a completed Working Farm Plan and the knowledge to begin implementing their agricultural business. They also become eligible to participate in future Groundwork Academy programs and alumni opportunities.

Is the program self-paced?

Lessons are completed independently each week, while the program follows a structured cohort schedule with live discussions and weekly assignments to keep students progressing together.

Contact and apply

Location
Online, self-paced with scheduled support
Phone
(210) 693-2520
Email
admin@groundwork.academy

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