Farmer Starter Program Details  

Student schedule:

• 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 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.

• When it is not safe to be in the classroom together during Covid-19 surges, we hold online classes in the afternoon . Our field schedule remains the same even during Covid-19 spikes, but we take added care to maintain social distance and mask in any indoor or enclosed spaces. We use Austin Public Health's Risk Based Guidelines as our guide for implementing Covid-19 safety practices.

Application process:

• Submit your application online between 9/1/22 and 10/2/22

• Applications are reviewed by the Education Director. Up to 24 applicants may be chosen to be shortlisted and move on to the interview process. You will hear from us via e-mail whether or not you make the shortlist no later than 10/7/22.

• Working interviews will be conducted each Friday morning in the month of October from 7:30am to noon. You will get a tour of the farm, a chance to work with the Farm Manager in the field with other applicants and have a one on one interview with the Education Director.

• Acceptance letters will be sent via e-mail by 11/7/22

• Class size: 12 students maximum.​

• Applicants who complete the interview process but are not admitted in the first round, may be placed on our waitlist to be notified if spaces open prior to the start of the program.

• Upon acceptance to the program, you may choose to apply for needs-based financial aid. 

​Tuition & Financial Aid:

• Tuition is $3,500.

• 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 everyone is invited to apply for financial aid that may reduce tuition to as little as $500. 

• If we are unable to meet your financial needs through direct tuition reduction, we may discuss work share opportunities to further reduce tuition in exchange for extra work on the farm.

• Any remaining tuition is due before the class begins, or may be broken up into monthly payments for the duration of the course as needed.

• Scholarships are also available through CCOF’s Future Organic Farmer Grant  or the National Young Farmer Grant Program 

 

Skills desired:

• 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.​

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Additional considerations:

• Students should be prepared to make a full season commitment and participate in all activities for the duration of the program.

• Students must be comfortable and capable of performing strenuous physical work in a variety of conditions.

• Students provide their own transportation to and from the farm and on field trips.

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Accommodation:​

• Limited accommodation for 2 students may be available for an additional $2,500 for the 20 weeks for students commuting more than 50 miles to the farm.

• Accommodations include a full size bed in a loft in our farmhouse, full kitchen and shared bathroom. There is A/C and heat.

• The farmhouse is a shared space with limited privacy and storage space, and by the nature of being on a farm, is dusty.

• If space is available, pro-rated, part time accommodation may be possible for people commuting from more than 50 miles away from the farm.

• We’re sorry but we cannot accommodate pets at this time.​

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