TRAINING

Fiddlehead Farm
Fiddlehead Farm welcomes visitors, participants, volunteers and interns who wish to learn more about organic farming methods in the Ozarks. Fred Mayer already receives visitors to the farm weekly who have questions about growing methods or just want to stop by for produce or eggs. He also works with university students from Prescott College for week-long internships during the growing season. City folks, families and couples who want a getaway weekend on the farm are also welcome. You can get into the rhythm of the farm, lend a hand and enjoy the serenity and beauty that surrounds us.

Accommodations at Fiddlehead Farm include a 330 sq. ft. guest house with its 200 sq. ft. “Sunset Deck,” great for dancing or kicking back after a hard morning of work.

Contact Fred Mayer for availability: 870-423-4681.

Foundation Farm
Foundation Farm offers “in the field” training to volunteers who can join the farm’s regular crew during the season. Volunteers will be supervised and offered produce and lunch that day. In addition, Foundation Farm offers periodic workshops on its farming methods. Check our website for further details at www.foundationfarm.com. Or contact Patrice Gros at 479- 253-7461.

2009 Season Foundation Farm & Farm School Workshop:

This workshop is for people who are dedicated to growing their own food in their own backyard or with the idea of starting a small-scale farm. This workshop is also for those considering becoming a trainee at the farm during the 2009 season. We have 2 alternative dates/locations set up:

Saturday January 31st, 10am-noon, at the Fayetteville Public Library (Board Room). Send us a reservation email early to receive further info. $20 fee (per household) includes a complete crop plan for 2009.

Saturday February 7th, 10am-noon, at Patrice & Karen Gros' home, in Eureka Springs. Send us a reservation email early to receive further info. $20 fee (per household) includes a complete crop plan for 2009.

We will cover Foundation Farm growing methods with pictures and will describe the farming school program.

2009 Farm School Program Details

We are looking for 5 trainees interested in establishing their own farm in the near future. The school curriculum will reflect this objective by teaching the tools necessary to start a successful farm from ground zero. Classes cover the cultivation, marketing and financial aspects of running a farm based of our accumulated experience with Foundation Farm and previous farms.
If you are interested, please submit your application to us.

School Term:
The 2009 school year will start on Monday, March 16th and will extend to Friday, October 30th for a total of 6 and 1/2 months. Students are expected to join for the full term in order to cover thecurriculum and 3 growing seasons (Spring, Summer, Fall). There will be a formal checkpoint-interview 1 month after joining, as well as an exit interview on the last week of training.

School Facilities/Format:
Classes take place at the farm shed. Do not expect a formal classroom, but expect a formal lecture involving notes-taking, and sometimes class preparation. Classes happen usually on Mondays, following lunch, and last about one hour.
Field instruction takes place at the farm in a very real-life, professional context. Patrice Gros, owner/teacher, will be present throughout the seasons to direct fieldwork.

Progressive Time Schedule & Stipend:
The school does not charge a tuition. A progressive stipend will be paid weekly to offset some of the trainees' personal expenses:
March/April/May: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9am to 1pm (allowance: $30/week)
June through October: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 7am to 12pm (allowance: $60/week)

School "Normal" Weekly Schedule, starting in April:
Monday: In class instruction: 1 to 1 1/2 hour; field work: 4 to 5 hours (variable start-times according to season. Field work is always monitored and the object of in-the-field discussions between teacher(s) and students.

Wednesday/Friday: Supervised field work: 4 to 5 hours (variable start-times according to season).

Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday (Optional): 4 hour participation to farmers' market activity.
The school is designed as a part-time activity allowing other life activities such as work or other studies. The farm is only 15 minutes from Eureka Springs and 1 hour from Bentonville.