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.

• Currently we are conducting our afternoon classes via ZOOM, but will return to using our on-farm classroom as soon as it is safe to do so. All in-person gatherings on our farm and on other farms are conducted outdoors.

• 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: 12 students maximum.​

Application process:

• Submit your application online between 9/1/21 and 9/30/21.

• Applications are reviewed by the Education and Farm Team.

• Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview and farm tour. You will hear from us via e-mail whether or not you make the shortlist by October 4, 2021

• Admission letters will be sent via e-mail by November 1st. 

• 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, room & board:

• 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 

Accommodation:

• Limited accommodation is available for an additional $1,500 for the 20 weeks. Accommodations include a full size bed in a loft in our farmhouse, full kitchen and shared bath.

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.

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

Contact education@farmshareaustin.org with questions about the program.

Farmer Starter is supported by Southern SARE: Supporting the family farm, promoting conservation, and strengthening communities through sustainable agriculture strategies.