The Organic Growers School’s Farm Beginnings® program is in its fifth year offering a yearlong program in organic farming. The school has graduated 43 organic farmers in the last four years, and 12 more will graduate by September. The 2019 program will begin in October, and the school is now accepting applications.

“Many skills are required to start a successful farm: passion, clear goals, production experience, financial and marketing know-how, and more,” according to a press release put out by the program. Farm Beginnings, designed for new and prospective farmers who want to plan a profitable farm business, is a 12-month training session that uses holistic management to help beginning farmers clarify their goals and strengths, establish a strong enterprise plan and start building their operations. The course uses farmer-led classroom sessions, on-farm tours and an extensive farmer network. Students do not need to currently own land, but some farming or production experience is helpful to get the most out of the class.

The program continues its partnerships with Living Web Farm and The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy’s Community Farm, which offer a variety of on-farm and organic-living workshops.

Applications for the program are being accepted on a rolling basis until September 15. Applications received by August 1 get an Early Bird $100 discount. Winter sessions will be located at Creekside Farm and Education Center at Walnut Cove at 339 Avery Creek Road, Arden, NC 28704. For more information or to apply, visit OrganicGrowersSchool.org/Farmers/Farm-Beginnings