# Where to Begin?

**New to Beanstalk?** Learn the basics by reading [Why Beanstalk](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/introduction/why-beanstalk) and [How Beanstalk Works](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/introduction/how-beanstalk-works).

The [Beanstalk Whitepaper](https://bean.money/beanstalk.pdf) is the authoritative source of protocol documentation while the [Farmers' Almanac](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/readme) is more accessible.

If you prefer audio content, check out the Beanstalk University recordings [here](https://community.bean.money/recordings).

**Ready to use Beans?** Participate in Beanstalk and earn yield through different components of [the Farm](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/farm/overview):

* **Silo:** Earn yield and participate in Beanstalk governance by [Depositing](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/protocol/glossary#deposit) whitelisted assets. Silo Deposits earn a portion of new Bean mints. Learn more [about the Silo](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/farm/silo) and how to [Deposit in the Silo](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/guides/silo/deposit).
* **Field:** Earn yield by [Sowing](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/protocol/glossary#sow) (lending) Beans to Beanstalk. Lenders receive [Pods](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/protocol/glossary#pods), which are placed in a First In, First Out (FIFO) line that earns a portion of new Bean mints. Pods become [Harvestable](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/protocol/glossary#harvestable-pods) (redeemable) at an indeterminate future time for a fixed number of Beans. Learn more [about the Field](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/farm/field) and how to [Sow Beans](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/guides/field/sow).
* **Barn:** Earn yield and recapitalize Beanstalk with [Fertilizer](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/protocol/glossary#fertilizer). Fertilizer earns a portion of new Bean mints up to a fixed return. Learn more [about the Barn](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/farm/barn) and how to [Buy Fertilizer](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/guides/barn/buy-fertilizer).
* **Market:** Trade [Pods](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/protocol/glossary#pods), the Beanstalk-native debt asset, redeemable for Beans. Learn more [about the Market](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/farm/toolshed/market) and how to [Buy Pods](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/guides/market/buy-pods).

**Returning to Beanstalk as a pre-exploit Farmer?** Your pre-exploit assets regain value in accordance with the success of the [Barn Raise](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/protocol/glossary#barn-raise) and growth of the Bean supply thereafter. Learn more [about the Barn](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/farm/barn) and how to [Enroot your Revitalized Stalk and Seeds](https://docs.bean.money/almanac/silo/claim-rewards#enroot).

**Have questions?** Join our Discord for anything not covered in the Farmers' Almanac!