• Apprentices will, with the support of the program staff, run their own farm and market the vegetables at a local farmers market as well as through a small CSA. Apprentices will be able to keep the proceeds of their sales to help offset living costs.

• There will be a primary topic each week that will initially support the participants in developing a farm plan and will continue to give them context as well as a framework to make their farm more successful. These topics will be presented by program staff, U of I faculty, extension professionals, regional farmers, and experts. Presentations will usually be paired with readings, videos, or podcasts to give more in-depth and diverse perspectives as well as with an activity to practically apply knowledge or further our thinking on the topic.

• There will be field trips to local food organizations and farms that will give participants opportunities to learn about different farmers’ systems and begin to develop a network with the organizations and farmers in our region.

• Participants will have the opportunity to do certifications to increase their breadth of knowledge and marketability (FSMA, Safe Food Handling, Pesticide application, etc.)

• Participants will develop a farm plan and business plan of their own.

• Anyone completing this program will have the option to use a farm incubator space at our facility for a year to start their farm business.

• Develop business plans and structures that will set farms up for success in the markets of their choice. 

• Understand the social and environmental context and consequences of agricultural practices in order to make informed decisions on how they would run a successful and conscientious agricultural business.     

• Draft farm planning documents to support a smooth growing season. 

• Implement farm planning and record keeping documents to improve farm operation. 

• Develop an awareness of, and begin mastering, the physical and organizational skills to work on and operate a farm  

• Understand the principles and practices of how to keep plants, soil, people and ecosystems on and around your farm healthy  

• Develop awareness of Eco-systemic thinking in your farm system and your place in the greater community  

• Build connections with local food system organizations. 

• Demonstrate efficient task management based on physical and operational systems 

• Understand how to effectively develop and maintain records to evaluate the success of the operation

Advance Your Career

Running a farm requires a wide range of specialized skills, if you are looking to work in local food networks you will benefit from any number of the skills that you will develop in the program. If you are looking to start a new career in food production or are interested in expanding the skills you already have, this program will teach you tools to use in the field, in the office, with your staff and at market. These tools will help you to be able to operate a farm business or become an invaluable team member in an already existing organization.

Areas of Employment

• Farmer
• Farm Manager
• Food Access Organizations
• Farmers Market Manager
• Local Food/Farm Support Organizations
• Garden Coordinator
• Food production and processing