Description

A Ten Week Course in Small Farm Agriculture

Whether you are a newcomer to farming or an experienced farmer or farm worker, the challenges of farming in hot, drier (or wetter, colder) climates grow more intense with each passing season. At the same time, certain basics remain the same but take on new meaning as we adapt to changing conditions: soil type determines how much moisture we can rely on being retained; the characteristics of different species and varieties give us clues to their suitability under new conditions. Then there are the choices among competing approaches to farming — and what does regeneration mean, anyway?

With this in mind the School of Adaptive Agriculture is offering a ten-week course on the basics of climate resilient small-farm agriculture. Every Monday starting August 15th, we’ll present both traditional topics and non-traditional takes on small-farm agriculture. Courses include a series on the “real economics of farming” by Michael Foley, author of Farming for the Long Haul; readings in the new agrarianism led by Lila Ryan; soil and plant science by Mendocino Grain Project owner Rachel Britten; livestock handling and breeding and ranching “in the wild” by Gowan Batiste; and more. There will also be hands-on workshops on tool safety, electricity, plumbing, and carpentry for farmers by beloved teacher Takashi Yogi.

In addition, you may attend a day-long conference on Climate Resilient Farming of September 19th, sponsored by Conservation Works. Though the conference is free, enrollees in our ten-week program will have the opportunity to reserve seats in this limited-enrollment event.

You can sign up for the rest of the series for the discounted price of $150.  You may also enroll in individual classes or workshops. To view the list of classes and sign up for individual classes, click here.  To sign up for the whole series, you can do so above.