Program Overview
The Explorer Course is designed to orient the farm-curious to the realities of cultivation, animal husbandry, and entrepreneurship. The 4-day crash course will help you decide whether starting an agricultural business is realistic for you and how to take practical next steps. Down-and-dirty farming experience and a field trip are included. Participants who want to dig deeper are eligible to enroll in our California Farm Academy Intensive Classes in 2025 and continue their farming journey.
Classes & Curriculum
The Explorer Course includes a hands-on field day, a farm tour, and the opportunity to meet with a panel of farmers and have your questions answered directly.
In addition, you will:
- Assess Yourself
Is starting an agricultural business right for you? Explore your own interests, skills and motivations so you’re better able to answer the question. Identify what it takes to own and operate an agricultural business, including the rewards and risks, and get an introduction to other opportunities in the field of agriculture. - Research the Landscape
We look at specific resources and approaches that will help you with agricultural business and market research. We identify regulatory issues that must be considered and ways to research the market and discover potential revenue streams. - Assess Your Resources
We build an understanding of how to assess and evaluate personal financial resources and what can be invested in business start-up costs and introduce external financial resources available to beginning farmers. You’ll also understand how to inventory and evaluate the physical resources needed for a business start-up. We provide an overview of marketing options for small-scale farmers. - Make Decisions & Take Next Steps
How do you envision your farm? Make a concrete plan for the next 6-12 months to advance your farm dream and identify the additional resources you’ll need to achieve it. If you’re not sure you’re ready to start pursuing it, what will you need to do to help you in your decision? What are other ways that you can pursue your interest in agriculture?
DATES & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Spring 2025 classes will be held on Thursdays, April 3-May 15, 5:30-8:30 pm
The course is a combination of classroom learning and hands-on experience. Classes will be held at our educational farm in Woodland, CA.
Application & Admission
- Submit your application
- Inquiry call
- Enrollment
Tuition
The cost of the course is $500 (not tax deductible). Fees cover classes, hands-on experience, individual meetings with the Program Manager, farm visits and opportunities to get advice from working farmers. Necessary machinery, tools and supplies for the activities are provided.
Scholarships and veteran assistance are available and we encourage students to apply.
For more information, please contact:
Jon Kupkowski, Beginning Farmer Training Program Manager
(916) 400-9480
jon@landbasedlearning.org
Testimonial
Start your Farming Journey
The Explorer Course did not shy away from sharing the risks, challenges, and hardships that small farmers face, and it was designed to really make us think about our values and goals and where we wanted to take our farm journey, whether that was moving on to start a farm business, work on a farm, or be involved with farming in some other way. Every risk, every challenge, every opportunity that we discussed in class really sparked my interest and I came to realize that, yes, that is what I want for my life, and ultimately it led me to continue my farm journey with CLBL.
