Free Beginning Farmer Training Applications Open
Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture (CASA) Free Beginning Farmer Training Program Applications are Now Open for 2022
The Future Harvest CASA Beginner Farmer Training Program (BFTP) is now accepting applications for the 2022 training season! The BFTP provides a FREE, year-long immersive training experience that combines a comprehensive classroom curriculum with hands-on learning at Chesapeake region farms that employ practices that are profitable, protect land and water, and build healthy communities.
We offer 3 levels of training, designed to meet the needs of new farmers at different stages, from entry-level to advanced. The program has built-in scheduling flexibility and is open to beginning farmers in MD, VA, DE – including the Delmarva Peninsula – and DC, WV, and PA.
Trainees receive a host of additional benefits:
- Free admission to our annual conference
- Free admission to our year-round field days at innovative farms as well as online programming
- Access to a supportive network of new and experienced farmers
- Future Harvest membership and all its perks
- and more!
Future Harvest CASA Free Beginning Farmer Training Program Details
To make the program accessible to a broad range of aspiring farmers, enrollment in the BFTP is free. Trainees receive a host of additional benefits: a complimentary annual Future Harvest membership and free access to our field days throughout the year, online and in-person classroom series, and admission to our large annual conference.
- LEVEL 1 is designed for those who are relatively new to farming who demonstrate a strong passion and commitment to learning. No prior farm experience is required for this level, but it would also be a good fit for those with some farming experience whose schedules do not permit them to commit to one day per week of on-farm training (that is required in Level 2). Priority will be given to applicants who can demonstrate a strong interest and commitment to learning about sustainable agriculture for a full year.
- LEVEL 2 provides the most intensive, hands-on experience and is intended for those with a minimum of one year farming experience, preferably more. In addition to attending our annual winter conference and 10-part classroom workshop series, level 2 trainees are paired with a successful, experience farmer trainer for a full season of shoulder-to-shoulder training. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a firm commitment to completing a full season of on-farm training, at least one day per week, April – November. This level is designed for beginning farmers who have either already begun their own operation or are on the cusp of doing so. Preference will be given to applicants who are already engaged in growing and marketing.
- LEVEL 3 is intended for intermediate-level farmers who are further along in their careers and have approximately 3-5 seasons of experience. Applicants for this level must currently be engaged in either running their own operation or managing a farm, but not in an owner capacity. Level 3 trainees are paired with an experienced farmer consultant – a farmer with many years of experience growing sustainably in this region – for a full season of one-on-one guidance and mentorship.
The deadline for applications is Friday, October 22, 2021 at 11:59 pm
Apply For Future Harvest CASA’s Free Beginning Farmer Training Program Here
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