LIVE-WORK-STUDY FARM PROGRAM OPENS
Gain hands-on practical farming experience at the Grange Farm School this season! Grange Farm School will host its first Practicum Students May through October of 2014 on the historic Ridgewood Ranch in Mendocino County, California. Established in 2013, this newly emerging hub of agricultural education offers students the experience of building a farm from the ground up. Students and Faculty will collaboratively design and implement plans for a sustainable farm, working with crops and livestock while building new farm infrastructure.
This full immersion program gives residential students a thorough understanding of the complexity that goes into generating a new model for farming efficiently and sustainably. Our curriculum covers organic agricultural production methods coupled with industrial arts and business skills essential to any successful farm. Teaching the basic foundations of a sustainable small farm business is our primary goal, but we also provide a platform for experimentation and progressive design. Students with a specific interest are offered the opportunity to design, build, research, and test their ideas. A successful farmer must demonstrate the ability to think creatively and work efficiently, and here at the Grange Farm School we foster an atmosphere for just this kind of work.
Program:
Students receive food, housing, and earn college credit and are expected to work an average of 25 hours per week on projects supporting the farm. Tuition is $300 per month, and many scholarships are available.
Students must commit to a minimum of one month at the Grange Farm School, although we highly encourage a longer term. After one month of foundational learning, students have the option to develop their individual Capstone Project. These projects allow students to focus on an area of individual interest and guide their own learning. We provide a space for a wide range of independent projects, and we are excited to hear proposals from students who are curious self-starters. Examples of potential projects include:
- plan and construct worm composting system
- build a solar powered dehydrator
- design and plant a cut flower garden
- build processing equipment such as root washer or chicken plucker
Concurrent enrollment in Work Experience Education program with Mendocino College or a similar program is required, and the Grange Farm School will cover registration costs at Mendocino College.
Application Instructions: In 2014 applications are accepted on a rolling basis, apply at any time. Find the complete program description and application questionnaire at: http://www.grangefarmschool.org/Training-program
Return the Practicum Student Questionnaire to info@grangefarmschool.org
Learn more about the Farm School, including faculty bios, our Ridgewood Ranch location south of Willits, CA, and more at:
http://www.grangefarmschool.org/
