Zumwalt Acres Educational Programming: Apprenticeship, events and mentorship for a diversity of young emerging farmers

Closing out its fourth growing season, Zumwalt Acres (ZA) is in a pivotal point of organizational development. Each year up to this point, ZA has invested in developing farm systems, infrastructure, programs, and partnerships. Much of the labor invested in that development before this year has been on a short-term, volunteer basis; leadership and fellowship members received living stipends in exchange for 3-month commitments. 2024 was the first year that ZA was able to provide year-long salaries, one for a farm manager position, and one for a youth educator, with the support of this grant. This investment in our people greatly increased our capacity for education. In 2024, ZA expanded programming by hosting 8 educational events (in contrast to 1-3 events in previous years) for 360+ participants - students, farmers, agricultural professionals, activists, and community members. We also offered a 3-month long virtual learning opportunity for youth for the first time, expanding our reach beyond audiences who can come to the farm physically. Our broader reach has been possible because of the increased organizational support of committed long-term farm leaders, especially ZA's Farm Educator, funded by this grant. ZA has already begun building off of this success by continuing to invest in ZA leaders. For the next two years, we have been awarded $54,000 through Food:Land:Opportunity to partially cover the salaries of a farm manager, a farm educator, and a program director (farm revenue and other funding in progress will complete these salaries). Moving into the next year with committed long-term staff creates the opportunity for increased education capacity and development in many realms of our work.