# Where to Begin?

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

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

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

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

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


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