Garden Student Program: the Foundation Year

"The work is hard and demanding with long hours. But experience gained and the relationships made will be rewarding and the insight into the deeper meanings of gardening, agriculture and food systems will provide inspiration and enrich your life."

-- Dean Wiegert, Volunteer for the 2000 season

The education and work at Michael Fields flow together into a solid study of biodynamic agriculture. This begins on February 1st with a two-month intensive of pre-season classes that are required by all full-time Foundation Year Students and recommended for all short-term students as well. These courses are open to the public, but housing is only guaranteed for the full-time Foundation Year Students. For application information, download the program handbook and application form [pdf 1.5Mb] or contact us to receive a copy by mail.

General curriculum and duration

The curriculum emphasizes sustainable farming practices including soil fertility, biodynamic and organic practicum, food production techniques, plant classification and culture, transplant and greenhouse production, tool and equipment use, tractor safety, and organic vegetable marketing and subscription sales.

The program runs seven months from February 1 to the end of October. Two to four-month placements are also available.

Program goals

The Garden Student Program's goal is to promote enlivened knowledge through practical training in biodynamic and sustainable agricultural.

• Learn the fundamentals of organic and biodynamic agriculture.
• Explore a variety of farming systems through tours and workshops.
• Gain the basic skills required for beginning farmers in training.
• Revitalize agriculture by promoting viable, sustainable alternatives to conventional farming practices.

Your training

"When you learn how to grow food, you learn the life skills that 80% of the world's population directly relies on. It connects you to the lifeblood of the planet and makes you part of the solution, not just an on-looker."

-- Allison Payne, Research Assistant 1999

• Work with hand tools in the gardens to understand the soil and refine skills as a foundation to the larger mechanized field sites
• Prepare and plant in the raised beds and field sites
• Construct and maintain compost piles
• Manage soil fertility
• Apply biodynamic preparations
• Grow and harvest more than 100 vegetable crops, herbs and flowers
• Manage Greenhouses: seed sowing, transplanting and irrigation
• Identify plant or garden pests, diseases and weeds
• Work with cooperative farms that offer a variety of hands-on educational opportunities such as beekeeping
• Explore opportunities for individual projects in animal husbandry
• Operate Stella Gardens; supply produce to restaurants, the Fields Best Stores and the farm?s 30 vegetable subscription member families
• Work with Cooperative Instructors who share their farming techniques and lifestyle
• Develop a work ethic as a team member responsible for the gardens

Program highlights

• Curriculum emphasizes biodynamic and organic farming practices including soil fertility, food production techniques, plant classification and culture, transplant and greenhouse production, tool and equipment use, crop rotation, organic vegetable marketing and subscription sales.
• Lectures on biodynamics, composting systems, soil fertility management, greenhouse management, vegetable crop planning, botanical classification, agricultural policy and marketing.
• Hands-on Experience in the gardens and fields gives needed practice to become skilled stewards of the land. Students have an integral role in the viability of the farm production.
• Reading Seminars explore the philosophical issues that are the driving force behind agricultural practices.
• Individual Projects enable students to explore an agricultural topic that affects them as new farmers and the greater community.
• Cooperative Instructors from the region introduce students to their farms and offer hands-on exposure to their operations.
• Farm Tours increase student exposure to different farming systems within the region.
• Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) is an alliance of Illinois and Wisconsin farms and market gardens committed to the education of beginning agriculturalists. The alliance offers a yearly program of on-farm demonstrations, tours and work exchanges.
• Students live communally together, and prepare the noon meal with one another using seasonal produce from the garden.

Financial information

The Foundation Year nine-month term (February 1 through October 31)* also includes free vegetables for students during the growing season. The housing includes an on-site kitchen and private bedrooms.

*Financial assistance is available for full-time students only. Please inquire.

Short Term Foundation Program tuition is $500 per month, and housing is $250 per month.

Garden Workshop Series

Garden Workshop prices range from $10 to $90, depending on the workshop duration (prices are subject to change and housing is not included). For more information concerning financial assistance for full-time students please contact the Student Registrar.

For application information, download the program handbook and application form [pdf 1.5Mb], refer to our enrollment process web page or contact us to receive a copy by mail.

Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is a public, non-profit institute for education and research in sustainable agriculture, which admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin.