Regional and online farmer training opportunities

Map of the USA

 

Midwest: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI

Northeast: CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT

South/Mid-Atlantic: AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV

West: AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY

 

National

International

Online Courses and Resources

 

Are we missing something? Please email us at info(at)youngfarmers.org for any additions or changes.

 

 

Midwest

Illinois

Angelic Organics Learning Center Farmer Training Initiative: Angelic Organics helps urban and rural people learn from the local farmers. The program is led by farmers from the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT), and offers business planning, on-farm training, and mentoring.

The Land Connection: The Land Connection has three main farmer-training initiatives: (1) Is Entrepreneurial Farming for You: a four hour, interactive workshop, (2) Central Illinois Farm Beginnings (CIFB), a year-long training program, and (3) The Central Illinois Sustainable Farming Network helps local farmers to share their knowledge with each other.

Central Illinois Farm Beginnings: Central Illinois Farm Beginnings offers a full-year farm business internship as well as farm entrepreneurial workshops.

Indiana

Purdue Small Farm and Sustainable Agriculture Team: This division of Purdue University provides educational programs for those starting out in farming.

Iowa

Women, Food and Agriculture Network: WFAN offers workshops and field days for all women involved in sustainable ag, including aspiring and beginning farmers.  It also operates an on-farm apprenticeship program, Harvesting Our Potential.

Practical Farmers of Iowa New Generation: The Next Generation Program is designed to help PFI’s beginning farmer members, and to help farm families transition their farm to the next generation.

Iowa State Beginning Farmer Center: The Beginning Farmer Center, a service of Iowa State, provides resources and programs for new farmers

Iowa Network for Community Agriculture: INCA works to connect Iowa farmers through conferences and direct mentoring support for new farmers.

Iowa State Sustainable Agriculture Extension Office: This program of Iowa State University Extension provides training in sustainable agriculture and sponsors programs for farmers and the general public.

Kansas

Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture: The Urban Farmer Development Project works with new and experienced farmers to start, run, and improve their farm businesses. The Juniper Gardens Farm Business Development Program supports limited resource people and refugees in Northeast Kansas City in starting independent farm businesses.

Kansas Rural Center: The KRC offers a range of educational one-day workshops on various farming topics.

Michigan

Michigan Land Use Institute Get Farming!: The Michigan Land Use Institute connects farmers to farmland through a farmland exchange database, and offers business resources, workshops and events.
Michigan State University Organic Farmer Training Program: This organic farmer training program is a 9-month intensive. The program emphasizes student learning through hands-on farm management and decision-making.

Tillers International: Tillers International offers a range of courses and programs on sustainable farming and homesteading, as well as program internships.

Minnesota

Lake Superior Farm Beginnings: Lake Superior farm Beginnings is part of the Lake Superior Sustainable Farming Association. It is a year-long program that provides beginning and transitioning farmers with training in values clarification, goal
setting, whole farm planning, business plan development, and low-cost, sustainable farming methods.
Land Stewardship Project Farm Beginnings: Farm Beginnings provides opportunities for beginning and transitioning farmers to learn about values clarification and goal setting, whole farm planning, business plan development, and low-cost, sustainable farming methods.
Minnesota Food Association Big River Farms Training Program: Big River Farms focuses its training on immigrant and minority farmers. Class topics include production, marketing and operating a farm business. Winter classes are held weekly in St. Paul, and trainings during the growing season are held at Big River Farms or on other nearby farms.

Missouri

Missouri Beginning Farmers: Run by the University of Missouri, the Missouri Beginning Farmers effort offers a number of online resources, including a number of free webinar series through its Beginning Farmers Online Community.

Jefferson Institute: The Jefferson Institute, in addition to its 67-acre educational farm, runs programs for local farmers, with an emphasis on crop diversification.

Growing Gardeners Training Program: Growing Gardeners takes full-year apprentices – both paid and unpaid – at their Kansas City facility. They also run monthly workshops and other educational opportunities.

Nebraska

Community CROPS Growing Farmers Program: The Growing Farmers Program provides training, technical assistance and land access to beginning, immigrant and limited-resource farmers. They offer a Growing Farmers Workshops series, and a 3-year, land-based training program at Sunset Community Farm. Beginning farmers begin producing on 1/4 acre, and receive access to water, tools, equipment, and ongoing technical assistance and marketing support.

Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture: The College of Technical Agriculture, a division of the University of Nebraska, has full course catalog of courses in agricultural sciences.

Farm Beginnings Nebraska: Farms Beginnings Nebraska is part of the Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society. It is a farmer-led training and support program that includes mentorship, seminars, fields days, and conferences.

The Center for Rural Affairs: Nebraska’s Center for Rural Affairs offers resources specifically for new farmers in Nebraska.

University of Nebraska EDGE Program: University of Nebraska, Lincoln’s EDGE (Enhancing, Developing, and Growing Entrepreneurs) program has a number of business courses available, including those for starting farmers.

Women, Food and Agriculture Network: WFAN offers workshops and field days for all women involved in sustainable ag, including aspiring and beginning farmers.  It also operates an on-farm apprenticeship program, Harvesting Our Potential.

North Dakota

Foundation for Agricultural and Rural Resources Management and Sustainability (FARRMS): FARRMS has two farmer training programs: (1) FARRMS Foundation is a four-part series designed for beginning and practicing farmers who are interested in learning more about sustainable farming practices. (2) Organic Mentor program that connects experienced organic growers with beginning farmers.

North Dakota Farmers Union: The Farmers Union provides a variety of services for North Dakota farmers, including educational programs for farmers and ranchers.

Ohio

Ohio Ecological Food & Farm Association: The OEFFA connects Ohio farmers with local consumers and food activists, promoting sustainable food systems.

Ohio State Extension Offices: OSU’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences has a large network of extension offices that will work with new farmers in their area.

Innovative Farmers of Ohio: The Innovative Farmers of Ohio works with the state’s farmers to become more ecologically and economically sustainable.

South Dakota

Dakota Rural Action, Farm Beginnings: Dakota Rural Action Farm Beginnings is a farmer-led training and suppport program that provides training in lowcost, sustainable methods of farming. Participants can be any age, and do not need to own land.

Wisconsin

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute New Farmer Foundation Year: The New Farmer Foundation Year is an introduction into biodynamic and organic agriculture. The Foundation Year prepares participants for the challenges of farming, and introduces them to the issues of sustainable agriculture today.
Michael Fields Agricultural Institute Whole Farm Workshops: Michael Fields Agricultural Institute helps beginning and advanced farmers to develop the skills to create successful careers in agriculture. Participants work with Farmer Faculty in interactive workshops and on-site field training.
Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service: MOSES offers several programs for beginning and transitioning organic farmers: (1) the Farmer-to-farmer Mentoring Program pairs experienced organic farmers with transitioning organic farmers, (2) the organic info line, (3) the Organic University offers full-day classes on topics relevant to organic production, (4) Farm Field days and workshops where you can tour farms and learn directly from organic farmers and (5) the MOSES Rural Women’s Project which provides networking, educational and media training opportunities for women ecopreneurs.
School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers: The School for Beginning Dairy and Livestock Farmers provides the experience and skills needed to get started in raising pasture-based dairy and livestock.

University of Wisconsin Extension Emerging Agricultural Markets Team: The EAMT works to connect beginning farm entrepreneurs with development projects and trainings in Wisconsin.

 

 

Northeast

Connecticut

Connecticut NOFA: CT NOFA has a beginning farmer program, a journeyperson program, provides advice and several beginning-farmer-focused workshops over the course of the year, and is developing an apprentice-matching program.

Community Farm of Simsbury: The community farm of Simsbury is an organic-certified incubator farm, providing inexpensive farmland as well as resources and trainings for beginning farmers.

Massachusetts

The Farm School: The Farm School is a year-long, residential training program for adults in organic agriculture

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project: New Entry provides opportunities for economically disadvantaged farmers, and offers services for beginning farmers such as accessing farmland, training, and business and enterprise development.
Nuestras Raices: The farm/La Finca rents small plots of land (1/4 acre – full acre) to beginning farmers, and provides them with small loans, training, shared resources, and market assistance. Beginning farmers build the necessary capital, knowledge, and connections to graduate from the incubation site onto their own farm.

Tufts University’s Sustainable Farming Project: Tufts has a number of new entry training programs, including exploring farming, business education, technical programs, and marketing assistance.”

Maine

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA): MOFGA has several programs to help beginning farmers: (1) the Farm Apprenticeship Program, (2) the Journeyperson Farm Training Program, which provides mentorship, technical assistance,, and business planning, and (3) the Organic Farmer Loan Fund

New Jersey

NOFA New Jersey: the New Jersey branch of the Northeast Organic Farming Association offers beginning farmers courses as well as other workshops for farmers.

New York

The Youth Farm – Urban Farm Training Program: A part-time apprenticeship (either six or eight months long) on the Young Farm in Brooklyn, which also includes formal education, field trips, and independent projects.  Participants will receive a Certificate in Urban Farming.
 
Farm School NYC : Farm School NYC provides training in urban agriculture, and works to increase the self-reliance of communities around issues of food access.
 
Hawthorne Valley Farm Beginnings Program : Hawthorne Valley Farm Beginnings offers a business planning course, Field Days on sustainable farms, and mentoring sessions for both new and practicing farmers. The program uses materials from the Land Stewardship Project and Angelic Organics Learning Center.
 
New Farmer Development Project : The New Farmer Development Project (NFDP) educates and supports immigrants with agricultural experience by helping them establish small farms.

Rockland Farm Alliance: New City’s Rockland Farm Alliance has a range of educational opportunities from one-day farm trips to season-long internships.

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture: Stone Barns offers both unpaid farm internships and longer-term apprenticeships for aspiring farmers.

Alfred State College: Alfred State College’s Center for Organic and Sustainable Agriculture has a number of multi-day courses in sustainable agricultural production as well as online and campus-based resources.

Farm Catskills: In its “Growing New Farmers” programs, Farm Catskills offers both a paid farm internship program and a New Farmer Incubator.

Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming: Groundswell, located in Ithaca, NY, has a New Farmer Training project, a season-long training program affiliated with Cornell University that includes both hands-on work and classroom instruction.

Poughkeepsie Food Project: PFP’s City Seeds program is an intensive educational opportunity for new farmers.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture: In addition to a number of educational trainings and a conference, PASA works with sustainable farmers in consumer outreach, community building, and food system advocacy.

Penn State Agriculture Marketing: Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences offers a plethora of information for new farmers in the Pennsylvania region.

Penn State Extension: Beginning farms can take a number of courses through Penn State Extension, from introductory farm planning to poultry management.

The Seed Farm of Lehigh County: An agricultural incubator program for the establishment of new sustainable farms, supported by the county of Lehigh.

Rhode Island

Southside Community Land Trust: The SCLT, in addition to running a number of programs for schoolchildren and other youth, operate the Urban Edge Farm, a 50-acre business incubator farm for new farmers.

Northeast Organic Farming Association of Rhode Island: NOFA/RI is an organization of farmers, consumers, gardeners, and environmentalists working to promote organic farming and organic land care practices.  They provide advanced organic growing seminars, organic farm advisors, CRAFT workshops, and a bulk order for organic farming supplies. 

Vermont

Intervale Farms Program: The Farms Program removes the start-up barriers that typically challenge new farmers by leasing land, equipment, and storage facilities to small independent farms. Each year, between one and three new farm businesses join the program as incubators.
University of Vermont Farmer Apprentice Program: The UVM Farmer Apprentice Program is a 7-month educational training opportunity for aspiring farmers. Participants work with current Vermont farmers to manage a sustainable small-scale vegetable operation, and receive instruction both in the classroom and on field trips.
Rutland Area Food and farm Link New Farmer Initiative: RAFFL works to link new farmers with the resources they need to build successful farms. They link beginning farmers with business planning and technical resources, and advocate for training sessions in the Rutland area. They also host mixers for new farmers to meet and network with each other.

UVM Women’s Agricultural Network: University of Vermont’s WAgN program provides technical and educational support to Vermont’s women farmers. Educational opportunities include extended courses, one-day workshops, and local informal learning circles.

NOFA-VT Apprentice and Willing Worker Program: This program, independent of the WWOOF network, produces an annual directory of Vermont farmers looking for interns and apprentices. The program also includes one-day intern workshops and trainings.

 

 

South/Mid-Atlantic

Alabama

Alabama Sustainable Agriculture Network: ASAN’s Farmer-to-Farmer program links experienced producers to new farmers for one-on-one training, business planning, workshops, and other mentoring opportunities.

Arkansas

Foundation Farm School: Each year, the Foundation Farm School admits up to 4 trainees who are interested in establishing their own farm in the near future. The program teaches the skills and tools to start a successful farm. Classes cover the cultivation, marketing and financial aspects of running a farm.

Delaware

Future Harvest CASA: year-long program has trained motivated aspiring or transitioning farmers since 2009. The program provides both classroom instruction and shoulder-to-shoulder on-farm training for beginning and transitioning sustainable farmers in the Chesapeake region.

Florida

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University New and Beginning Farmer Training Program: The Farmer training Program is designed to equip new and beginning farmers in Florida with knowledge, skills and tools needed to start successful farms. The main goal of the project is to use the basic business development model and apply it to agriculture operations.

Center for Integrated Agriculture: The Center for Integrated Agriculture has an apprenticeship program as well as farm business training courses.

Maryland

Future Harvest CASA: year-long program has trained motivated aspiring or transitioning farmers since 2009. The program provides both classroom instruction and shoulder-to-shoulder on-farm training for beginning and transitioning sustainable farmers in the Chesapeake region.

North Carolina

The Farm School for Women: The Farm School for Women is designed for women who are passionate about sustainable agriculture, and are committed to the values of small scale farming.

Organic Growers School: The Organic Growers School maintains a list of apprenticeships available in North Carolina for interested farmers.

Central Carolina Community College Sustainable Agriculture Program: CCCC’s Sustainable Ag program is designed as a two-year program, includes classes in soil, plant and animal science, practical gardening skills, biological pest management, sustainable livestock management, greenhouse design and agricultural marketing. 

PLANT @ Breeze Farm Enterprise Incubator: The PLANT @ Breeze program is a series of eight workshops on growing and a crop and business planning session, after which participants can lease land and use equipment at the incubator program.

Oklahoma

The Kerr Center: The Kerr Center is an educational non-profit foundation that has a beginning farmer and rancher program that takes on 50 beginners for a year-long training program.

Noble Foundation: The Ag Division of the Noble Foundation assists regional farmers and ranchers with financial, stewardship, and production goals.

Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service provides services and resources to Oklahoma farmers and ranchers.

South Carolina

Clemson University New and Beginning Farmer Program: Clemson’s New and Beginning Farmer Program offers workshops on starting a farm, an eight-week farm business course, farm visits, and the possibility of longer internships.

Upstate School of Sustainable Agriculture: The Upstate School of Sustainable Agriculture is a cooperative group of farms that invite new farmers to workshops on sustainable farming.

Texas

Texas Agrilife Extension Service: This program of Texas A&M University provides resources and free trainings on a variety of subjects, from crop and soil science to IPM to animal science, horticulture, and others.

Virginia

Allegheny Mountain School: AMS aims to train and support young adults committed to sustainable food and community development.  The program’s first phase is a 6-month residency, followed by one year of service in a partner organization.

Future Harvest CASA: year-long program has trained motivated aspiring or transitioning farmers since 2009. The program provides both classroom instruction and shoulder-to-shoulder on-farm training for beginning and transitioning sustainable farmers in the Chesapeake region.

 

 

 

West

Alaska

Calypso’s Farmer Training Program:  This is a one-season intensive experiential education program focused on providing skills, inspiration and experience in farming and homesteading.

Arizona

Valley Permaculture Alliance: Valley Permaculture Alliance offers a number of events and workshops, including a permaculture design course.

California

Agriculture and Land Based Training Association: ALBA is a training program that provides educational and business opportunities for farm workers and aspiring farmers to grow and sell crops in Monterey County, California.

National Hmong American Farmers: NHAF is a resource training center for small farmers in the Central Valley that works with groups of different ethnic backgrounds, including Hmong, Lao, Minh, Latino, African-Americans, Armenian and others. They provide technical assistance and training on topics such as soil management, pesticide health, safety, reading pesticide labels, record keeping, tractor driving, and farm product marketing.

U.C. Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture: The Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture provides training in organic gardening and small-scale farming. This program is run in conjunction with UCSC Extension.

Regenerative Design Institute: The Regenerative Design Institute offers a number of educational programs on permaculture and aspects of ecological sustainability.

Living Lands Agrarian Network: Living Lands offers full-season internships on six farm locations as well as workshops on various aspects of farming and gardening.

Rudolph Steiner College: Rudolph Steiner College operates a one to two year biodynamic farm apprenticeship program as well as other farming programs and workshops.

Soil Born Farms: Soil Born Farms has various events and classes in addition to a full-year farm apprenticeship program for those interested in farming.

Occidental Arts and Ecology Center: The OAEC operates a number of courses on sustainable agriculture, including permaculture, water management, and range management.

Esalen Institute: The Esalen Institute, located in Big Sur, offers workshops as well as 3- and 6 month apprenticeships for those interested in sustainable agriculture and non-profit work.

Hawaii

CTAHR Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program: The College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’ Sustainable and Organic Agriculture Program provied a wealth of educational information for beginning farmers, as well as news, events, and videos.

Hawai’i Institute of Pacific Agriculture: Located in North Kohala, Big Island, Hawai’i, HIP Ag is a group of young farmers in Hawaii with an organic permaculture farm.  The organization offers educational programs year round, with internships, design courses and workshops.

Idaho

Cultivating Success: Cultivating Success lists a number of on-farm internships and courses throughout Idaho.

New Mexico

New Mexico Farmer-to-Farmer Training Program: The New Mexico Farmer-to Farmer Training Program provides farmer-to-farmer training. The program is led by Don Bustos, AFSC director, and agriculturist of distinction.

Oregon

Oregon State University Growing Farms Workshops: This course is intended for people in their first 5 years of farming, people seriously considering starting a farm business, and people considering making major changes to their farm. It includes both classroom and field sessions taught by OSU faculty, experienced farmers, and other agricultural professionals.

Multnomah County Beginning Urban Farmer Apprenticeship: BUFA is an eight-month urban farmer apprenticeship, as well as a part-time coursework-only alternative.

Rogue Farm Corps: Rogue Farm Corp is a collection of host farms that operate a season-long apprenticeship with a 28-module educational curriculum for entry-level farmers in Southern Oregon.

Washington

Seattle Tilth Farm Works Program: Farm Works, a farm incubator program of Seattle Tilth, provides educational and farm business opportunities to immigrants, refugees, and other under-served families in South King County.

Viva Farms Incubator Program: The Viva Farms Incubator Program provides new farmers with access to affordable education, training and technical assistance; capital and credit; land and markets. Viva Farms provides a 33 acre incubator farm where course graduates may sublease plots on which to launch and grow their farm businesses.

Washington State Housing Finance Commission: The WSHFC provides information on loans for new farmers and ranchers in Washington State.

Sustainable Connections: Sustainable Connections’ Food To Bank On program is a three-year farmer incubator program that offers training, access to markets, and mentorship.

Greenbank Farm Ag Training Center: The Ag Training Center offer a 7-month residential program focused on training aspiring farmers to run successful, ecological and community-focused farms and uses its ten acre organic farm as a real-world example and outdoor classroom.

Cultivating Success: Cultivating Success lists a number of Washington State on-farm internships and courses.

The Greenbank Farm Agriculture Training Center: GFATC is a 7-month long experiential program for aspiring farmers to learn the technical and business skills needed to a small-scale organic farm.

Pine Meadow Farm Center: The Farm Center is a 32-acre diversified farm that serves as an outdoor classroom for agriculture students at some Washington Universities, has an apprenticeship program, and runs workshops and tours.

 

 

National

The Greenhorns: Greenhorns is a grassroots non-profit organization that works to promote and support young farmers.  In addition to the eponymous documentary film, Greenhorns organizes events and workshops, media production, and other online organizing.

Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT): Located in several regions throughout the U.S. and Canada, the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is a farmer-led coalition. “The secret to CRAFT’s success is simple — farmers learn most effectively from other farmers.”

North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program The Apprenticeship Program creates a framework for apprenticeship training, and allows each apprentice enough flexibility to pursue their individual interests. Each apprentice must fulfill the requirements of the program while working for the farms and training centers of their choice.

World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms – USA WWOOF-USA is part of a world-wide effort to link volunteers with organic farmers, promote an educational exchange, and build a global community conscious of ecological farming practices. Interested workers can find farms looking for help in exchange for room, board, and experience.

Cooperative Extension Offices: Extension offices of land grant universities can provide a variety of forms of assistance to farmers, from trainings to advice to online educational resources.  Use this link to find the nearest cooperative extension office to you.

Farm Aid: Farm Aid is a national organization that, in addition to their well-known annual concert, supports family farms by raising awareness and resources for farmers and promoting local food.

 

 

 

International

Atlantic Canada Organic Regional Network: ACORN is dedicated to supporting beginning farmers in Atlantic Canada through training and addressing obstacles.  The program’s Grow a Farmer program includes educational programming as well as a two-tiered mentorship program.

 

Online Training/Resources

Appropriate Transfer of technology to Rural Areas (ATTRA): A gateway for farmers to learn about sustainable farming, and internship opportunities.

Free Legal Forms from Laws.com: Free legal forms (including farming-related forms) that can be downloaded and printed.

Eco Farm GenNext: This beginning farmer blog engages experienced farmers with beginning farmers for mentoring, support, and inspiration.

The New England Small farm Institute: NESFI Promotes small farm development by providing information and training for aspiring, beginning and transitioning farmers.

Cornell Small Farms Program: Cornell Cooperative Extensions’ Small Farms Program provides access to information to small-scale farmers, with a focus on New York and the Northeast.

Northeast Beginning Farmer Project: The Northeast Beginning Farmer Project increases the likelihood of success of new agricultural enterprises by making resources and training available to new or diversifying farmers in New York.

Penn State Extension Beginning Farmer Course: The Beginning Farmer course is designed for people who are new to farming. Through personal interaction with course instructors, participants receive recommendations based on the goals for their farming operation, and gain an understanding of the basics of farm production.

Rodale Institute Next Generation: A section of the Rodale website that features news and resources for the next generation of farmers.

Vermont New Farmer Project: The VT New Farmer Project informtion on organizations, services, and educational opportunities for Vermont’s farm entrepreneurs. The website provides a virtual toolshed, and includes online and on-the-ground resources to assist in farm development.

National Immigrant Farming Initiative: NIFI has a collection of resources in English and Spanish for immigrant new farmers.

Organic Farmers: Steps to Success – An easy evaluation for assessing your management skills and financial performance.  From the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Are we missing something? Please email us at info(at)youngfarmers.org for any additions or changes.

 

 

http://www.futureharvestcasa.org/index.php

Comments
2 Responses to “Regional and online farmer training opportunities”
  1. noah says:
    March 8, 2013 at 7:56 am

    please add us to southern region farm training options in north carolina

    thanks,
    noah

  2. Wes says:
    March 10, 2013 at 12:09 pm

    The PLANT@ Breeze Farm Enterprise Incubator is now on the list! Thank you Noah for letting us know.
    Any other new programs out there that we don’t have on the list? Let us know!

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