Located on scenic Whidbey Island in Washington State, the Organic Farm School (OFS) trains aspiring farmers to run successful ecological- and community-focused farms and uses its eight-acre organic farm as a real world example and outdoor classroom. During the full-time, 8-month program, students spend one third of their time attending weekly classes and field trainings, studying a university-developed farming and marketing curriculum, going on bi-weekly field trips and engaging in independent research projects, including the writing of a personal farm business plan. Students spend the balance of their time co-managing the OFS student farm, which focuses on market-scale production of organic vegetables, seed crops, and livestock with cover crops, berries, and bees incorporated as well. Through this balance of academic and experiential studies, students learn and experience all aspects of starting and running a small scale organic farm, from goal setting and business planning to planting, harvesting, and marketing. With this skill and knowledge base, graduates are able to minimize their risk and maximize their success as they enter the growing field of sustainable farmers!

Please visit www.organicfarmschool.org for more information.