Growing Farmers, Food, and Community
Growing Farmers, Food, and Community
we Teach Future farmers
Becoming a successful organic farmer today takes a wide variety of skills…from soil management and seed production to marketing and business planning. At the Organic Farm School, we give aspiring farmers a strong foundation in a broad range of skills so they can achieve their unique farm goals.
Triple Bottom Line
Our philosophy of success on a farm is when profit is generated in financial, social, and ecological forms.
Triple Bottom Line
Our philosophy of success on a farm is when profit is generated in financial, social, and ecological forms.
The Organic Farm School (OFS) offers a full-time, 8-month, experiential training program designed for aspiring farmers to learn and practice the skills they need to run a small-scale organic farm. Through attending weekly lectures, discussions, and demonstrations on topics including organic crop and livestock production, soil science, business planning, and direct marketing, as well as cooperatively managing the ten-acre student farm, participants receive a thorough education in organic small farm management. Participants also learn to conduct on-farm research through variety trials and group projects, while frequent field trips to regional farms allow participants to see a variety of farming styles and talk to experienced producers.
Participants are also assisted in creating a personal farm business plan where their farm goals are explored and built upon. Through management of the OFS student farm, participants develop their practical farm skills including planning, tillage, greenhouse propagation, weeding, harvesting, marketing, and record keeping. Students also learn how to operate tractors, make compost, manage the farm’s livestock, and much more. With the skills and knowledge gained and a business plan in hand, program graduates know what it will take to start or manage their own small organic farm.
OUr Farm
is about people, place, and sustainability.
OUr Farm
is about people, place, and sustainability.
Production
ECOLOGICALLY FOCUSED; SMALL-SCALE INTENSIVE
The OFS student farm is where students put their learning into practice. Through co-managing the ten-acre certified organic farm and raising vegetables, seed crops, cover crops, berries, bees, and livestock, the students experience firsthand what it takes to manage a farm using sustainable practices.
Community
CELEBRATING FOOD, FARMS, & SUSTAINABILITY
We value serving, connecting with, and being supported by our local community! Organic Farm School students bring top quality produce to local customers, and they offer praise, gratitude, and support in return. With regular farm tours, potlucks, and celebrations, building a strong community is an important aspect of our farm.
staff
MENTORING ASPIRING FARMERS ONE AT A TIME
Our small staff is focused on providing an individualized experience to each student, supporting their learning goals, and helping them achieve their farming dreams. With years of farming and teaching experience, our staff is able to convey the key skills and strategies that new farmers need to get started.
Support our future farmers
Help aspiring farmers with limited resources get the training they need to succeed by donating to our scholarship fund.
Support our future farmers
Help aspiring farmers with limited resources get the training they need to succeed by donating to our scholarship fund.
Each year we receive inquiries and applications from students for whom the cost of attendance is prohibitive. Since we believe every aspiring farmer deserves a chance to reach their goals, every year we offer several scholarships to promising students in need. Please consider supporting these future farmers by donating to our scholarship fund and offering them the opportunity they need to succeed.