Agricultural Educators Cohort

A farmer shows soil to a small group of elementary aged kids

Are you a farmer interested in connecting with the schools and early childhood centers in your community? Have you been wanting to host groups of students on your farm but are stuck on where to start? This opportunity is for you! Thanks to a USDA Farm to School grant, NOFA-VT (through our VT FEED partnership project with Shelburne Farms) is offering a one-year opportunity designed to support farmers in building out their educational offerings.

NOFA-VT’s Agricultural Educators Cohort is a peer-to-peer learning opportunity designed to support farmers who are interested in hosting field trips, increasing their comfort with hands-on activities, and developing relationships with local classrooms. Each participating farmer will be matched with a coach in their region to address a range of topics from on-farm visit safety and logistics to developing engaging and relevant educational activities.

Applications are currently closed. For more information about the Agricultural Educators Cohort, contact Kayla at [email protected].

 

Program Objectives

  • Build a supportive farmer to farmer network
  • Equip farmers with resources to further engage with schools
  • Connect farmers and schools
  • Strengthen and increase farm to school offerings in Vermont
  • Help build alternative revenue streams for farmers

 

We’re seeking coaches! 

Farmers, we want to learn from you. Are you currently offering farm to school activities in your community? Are you interested in being a coach for this course? If so, please fill out our Coach Intake Form or contact Kayla to learn more at [email protected] or (802) 434-7176. Coaches will be compensated for their time.

Program Details
Program Offerings

The content and learning opportunities offered by this program will be informed by participants’ interests and needs. One-on-one coaching from an established farmer educator will be available throughout the year, accompanied by virtual and on-farm group workshops. Over the course of the year-long program, participants will build the connections, relationships, and skills necessary to provide excellent educational programming for local schools.

Schedule

March 7, 2023 | 7-8:30 pm: Virtual Kick-Off

April 2023: On-Farm Workshop (Specific date and location TBD)

May 15, 2023 | 7-8:30 pm: Virtual Workshop

August 21, 2023 | 7-8:30 pm: Virtual Workshop

October 11, 2023 | 1-4pm | Central VT: On-Farm Workshop

January, 2024: Virtual Workshop (Specific date TBD)

March 2024: In-Person Closing & Celebration (Specific date and location TBD)

Schedule is subject to change.

Cost

NOFA-VT’s Agricultural Educators Cohort is FREE to participating farms, thanks to a Farm to School Grant from USDA Food and Nutrition Services. Mileage reimbursement for on-farm workshops is available.

Application Process

Application Timeline: Applications are open now and are due Friday, February 24th. Space is limited to 12 farms. 

Application Criteria: We anticipate building the cohort based on who is interested in participating. If we have more interest than we have space for, participants will be selected based on: 

  • Their ability to commit the time; 
  • Geographic diversity within Vermont;  
  • Availability of coaches;
  • Readiness to build out your farm-to-school offerings;  
  • Available space in the cohort

 

Apply Now >

Applications are currently closed.

For more information about the Agricultural Educators Cohort, contact Kayla at [email protected].>