The Climate Farm School is both a course and much more: It is a hybrid online and on-farm educational journey into collective problem-solving around one of the greatest challenges of our time. This learning experience will help you develop the knowledge, critical thinking, and collaborative skills you need to work on food systems and climate adaptation/mitigation anywhere in the world. This course will also scaffold, support and structure your transition into a food + climate-focused career, if that is your goal.
Intended Audience: This course is ideal for any professional looking to leverage their existing experience and skills for the purpose of solving climate change through farming and food systems. It is also intended for current farmers or farmer-educators who may want to bring a stronger climate lens and knowledge base to their work. It is meant as a bridge between farming and non-farming audiences, bringing these groups together to exchange knowledge and engage in collective action to solve climate change through food systems. No matter your entry point, if you are eager to live, work, and learn directly alongside farmers and other foodies who are focused on mitigating the climate crisis, this course has something to offer.
Note: This course is NOT a full fledged learn-to-farm course (these are 6-9 month immersive farming apprenticeships that are already offered by many reputable institutions around the world, and are geared towards those who plan to lease/own and operate commercial farms full-time).
Course structure
- It is a small group experience, with 10-12 participants
- The course runs for 4 weeks, with the first weeks entirely online, and week 3 being the foundational period for both on-farm and climate content delivery. The final week is devoted to reflection and action planning, culminating in presentations of individual food and climate action plans
- There are 4-6 hours of online resources, short lectures, and an assignment to explore in Weeks 1 and 2, before the on-farm portion. There is a live 1-hour Zoom session each week before the farm stay (usually Tuesday or Wednesday, 8-9 AM PT).
- During the week on the farm, there is a mix of on farm work (avg. 4 hours/day) and barn classroom time (avg 2 hours/day). The rest of the day is open for independent work or project time, group meal prep, and varying evening activities
- The on-farm portion of the course will also feature field days and visits to nearby farms, to highlight the diversity of regenerative farming approaches happening in a particular local foodshed. It will also highlight local ecological work and research that integrates with maintaining thriving agroecosystems in a particular region.
- There is a culinary aspect of the on-farm week that includes collaboration with local chefs showcasing the application of regenerative farming principles to daily activities you can practice in your own kitchen
- There are follow up online sessions and a group Slack for continued support beyond the 4-week course
- The course features 3-4 guest expert live talks, which will also be recorded and available for later viewing. Fellows will have the opportunity to interact with all guest speakers, whether in person or online
- There are 2 required “assignments” that are designed to help you build your “climate and food systems portfolio,” while also preparing you to take meaningful actions following the completion of the course
- In addition to assignments, there are independent project suggestions provided by the host farming community that you can opt to undertake either individually or in teams
- The course culture is grounded in values of curiosity, generosity, and optimism
Course topics
These topics refer to the content and materials that will be released both before and during the 7 or 8-day on farm period. Note that the farm activities listed are illustrative, not exact plans for each course. When you are admitted, you will receive a detailed calendar of all events that you can add to your Google Calendar.
Course flow chart
Assignments
Faculty Bios