The Rend Lake College received a $351,536 Project Grant award from the Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program to deliver educational workshops and field experiences to beginning farmers and ranchers. Over three years, the Rend Lake College project will engage 60 participants total through a series of five-day workshops and field trips focused on basic livestock and crop farming practices, forest management, farm safety, equipment operation, and financial risk management. Additional topics will include mental health resources, new farming technologies, and diversification strategies. The goal is for 16% of completing participants to start or take possession of a farm and 20% of new farmers to make improvements to current operations. The project will support the next generation of agricultural producers in southern Illinois and surrounding regions.