In partnership with the Cross Roads Farmers Market of Langley Park, ECO City Farm’s staff conduct the ten month New Urban/Immigrant Farmer Training Program, from August 2010 until May 2011. After receiving 21 applications, we selected 9 passionate local residents to be trainees who will eventually join our Sustainable Farm Network or to go off on their own start their own urban food system related enterprise.
Over the course of 10 months, the trainees are learning by experiencing all aspects of Urban Farming, from composting to harvesting and marketing. They engage in many of the different income streams possible on an urban or small farm, and by the program’s end, will have constructed a personal business or career plan based on their passions and aspirations.
By June, 2011, New Urban/Immigrant Farmer Training Program expects to be able to:
-help trainees find a role in expanding ECO’s farming operations, enhancing the Crossroads Farmers Market, and/or operating their own venture;
- provide a tool kit of resources for graduates move ahead (compost, capital, and experience), and,
- identify the resources and approaches to expand and grow this important training program so that we can teach and train more new and immigrant farmers.
New Urban/Immigrant Farmer Training Program topics include:
- Urban Farm Design
- Community Composting
- Vermiculture (Worm Composting)
- Hoophouse Construction
- Diverse Vegetable Production
- Beekeeping and Honey Production
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Financial Management and Business Plan Development
