Farmer Starter Program at Farmshare Austin

At Farmshare Austin, our mission is to grow a healthy local food community by increasing food access, teaching new farmers, and preserving farmland. We envision a future of resilient local food economies that ensures equitable access to food and to the resources needed to farm. Farmshare Austin builds bridges between the produce grown on our 10-acre certified organic farm in Eastern Travis County and food access programs reaching food insecure communities in Central Texas. 

 

The Farmer Starter Program is an immersive training program on a working, certified organic, diversified vegetable farm designed to provide aspiring farmers with the essential skills and training needed to manage a sustainable farming business. The Fall session runs from the August through mid-December. The Spring session goes from February through June. 

Students graduate the Farmer Starter program with practical knowledge and experience in organic and sustainable growing methods and the business and financial planning skills necessary to establish a successful market farm.

 

Students meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30am to 4:00pm. Mornings are spent in the field with the Farm Manager getting valuable hands-on experience growing food for our Food Access programs. Afternoons are spent in the classroom with the Education Director learning the science and business of farm management, or on field trips to local farms to see a variety of farming practices. Students spend an additional 4 to 6 hours per season with Farmshare Staff selling at an area Farmer’s Market to learn the ins and outs of direct marketing and Farmers’ Market sales.

Class size is 12 students maximum.​

 

Applicants should have a passion for local food production and organic, regenerative agriculture. Previous farm or garden experience is preferred but not necessary. Candidates must demonstrate a strong desire to learn about small-scale, sustainable agriculture.

 

Farm Starter Program tuition is $3,000. Farmshare is committed to supporting students who have financial barriers to entering farming by offering need-based scholarships and work share programs as financial aid. Upon acceptance to the program you will be invited to apply for financial aid. Scholarships are also available through CCOF’s Future Organic Farmer Grant or the National Young Farmer Grant Program.

Visit https://www.farmshareaustin.org/farmer-starter for more information and to learn how to apply. Contact education@farmshareaustin.org with questions about the program.

 

 

• Learn More About Other Beginning Farmer Training Programs Here.

• Find Recent Beginning Farmer Training Program Announcements as Well as Internship and Apprenticeship Opportunities on Our Education Pages Here.

• Find Tons of Useful Farming Resources Here.