Future Farmer Program: Farmer-Led Training and On-Farm Education Combined with Online Crop Production Coursework for Aspiring Organic Growers

Project Overview

ONC26-193
Project Type: Partnership
Funds awarded in 2026: $48,059.00
Projected End Date: 03/31/2028
Grant Recipient: WWOOF-USA
Region: North Central
State: Minnesota
Project Coordinator:
Jenna Pollard
Email
WWOOF-USA

Commodities

No commodities identified

Practices

No practices identified

Proposal abstract:

WWOOF-USA is a national nonprofit that supports current farmers while cultivating new ones. The WWOOF-USA Future Farmer Program (FFP) delivers a farmer-designed, farmer-led education and mentorship model that expands training pathways for aspiring organic producers in the North Central Region. The project blends hands-on learning on organic farms with structured online crop production classes provided by New Entry Sustainable Farming Project.

In 2026 and 2027, at least five mentees per year will live and learn on organic farms through immersive 10-week placements, sharing meals, daily work, and the full lifestyle of being a professional farmer. The FFP is free to participants and includes a travel and living stipend.

Farmer partners hosting mentees in 2026 will also join winter research sessions to evaluate program effectiveness and refine the program for 2027. This farmer-driven evaluation loop keeps the program relevant and regionally responsive.

This project addresses key regional challenges, including a shortage of trained beginning organic farm managers and affordable, hands-on agricultural training. By reducing barriers to participation and embedding research-informed instruction and farmer-led demonstration across WWOOF's 50+ North Central Region host farms, the Future Farmer Program strengthens farm viability, economic resilience, and rural community vitality.

Project objectives from proposal:

  • Co-design the Future Farmer Program with a minimum of three organic farmer partners through structured feedback, mentee selection, curriculum development sessions, and review of program outcomes.

  • Provide a 10-week, farmer-led on-farm educational experience for at least five aspiring organic farmers in the North Central region.

  • Deliver twice-weekly online organic and regenerative crop production instruction through Tufts University's New Entry Sustainable Farming Project.

  • Strengthen farmer-participant mentorship through goal-setting, cohort meetings, and alumni engagement.

  • Collect and analyze participant and farmer outcome data to measure skill gains, operational impacts, and areas for improvement.

  • Share project outcomes through workshops, participant surveys, and digital materials.
Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.