Online education is teaching more farmers than ever about how to succeed with regenerative organic methods.
The most essential tool for organic farmers is knowledge. They need to understand the basics of topics ranging from soil science and entomology to cost accounting and marketing strategy, as well as the requirements of earning and maintaining organic certification. Rodale Institute Farmer Training (RIFT) has been preparing agricultural entrepreneurs for more than 15 years (learn more on page tk) at its Pennsylvania campus. Now Rodale Institute’s deeply researched and experience-tested expertise is coming directly to farms across the country.
THE CHALLENGE
“Farming is a unique way to make a living because farmers don’t get vacations or even weekends off when they can take time to focus on learning,” says Renée Baran, Rodale Institute Dean of Education. “But new farmers and many experienced ones have gaps in their knowledge they need to fill.”
THE SOLUTION
A new online platform will allow farmers to dig into pertinent topics whenever they can and wherever they are. “At Rodale Institute, we have accumulated more than 75 years’ worth of knowledge, and for the past three years, we’ve been capturing much of our RIFT curriculum on video,” says Jason Slipp, PhD, director of education. We’re now offering it to farmers who are not able to enroll in our nine-month, in-person program.” The courses include regenerative organic agriculture–focused subjects, such as soil health, crop rotations, and weed control, along with business topics, like financial recordkeeping. The curriculum delves deeper than the rudimentary content easily found online. “These are university-level classes based on proven instructional principles,” Slipp says.
THE EXPERIENCE
With the robust Canvas learning management system, the Rodale Institute education team can organize and present a wide range of course materials and activities. The system includes tools for creating assignments, hosting discussions among peers and instructors, and administering tests and quizzes. Students can work at their own pace and focus on the areas that are most important to them. “This is easy for everyone to use, even if they’re not too tech savvy,” Slipp says.
THE PARTNERS
While Rodale Institute Farmer Training Online will be accessible to any individual who is seeking knowledge, the program is already attracting interest from higher education institutions, farm apprenticeship programs, and other organizations across the country that support emerging agricultural producers. One early adopter is Good Roots, a nonprofit working to help organic farmers build “lasting, sustainable businesses for their families, communities, and the earth,” according to its mission statement. “Farmers need training in business management and finance to ensure they are profitable and viable for the long term,” says Rebecca Frimmer, a partner and principal consultant for Good Roots. “The biggest challenge for farmers is finding the time to balance all that must be done. It’s essential to carve out the space to work on the farm business and not just in the business.
“Smaller-scale producers may not have the resources to access consulting services or other professional services like bookkeeping and marketing,” Frimmer continues. “The self-paced educational resources and interactive support offered by Rodale Institute open up effective ways for Good Roots to ensure the next generation of farmers can scale up with strong financial and marketing foundations.”
THE GOAL
“We train a dozen or so new farmers in our in-person RIFT program each year,” Baran says. “Our virtual campus can serve 6,500 farmers.” The RIFT online training will continue to add courses and work with new partners to provide comprehensive education. “We want to be the ‘regenerative organic agriculture YouTube’ where farmers can find the information they’re looking for,” she adds, “but with real scientific integrity and a community of others to connect to and learn with.”
LEARNING FOR ALL
Rodale Institute’s in-person and online educational programming is focused on supporting organic farmers, but it also offers opportunities for anyone with an interest in growing nutritious food and living healthfully to build their knowledge and skills. In addition to the many hands-on workshops presented at the Pennsylvania farm throughout the year, you can enroll in courses such as “Being a Regenerative Consumer” and “Regenerative Health: The Power of the Plate” on the virtual campus. If you’re interested in topics like gardening or hobby beekeeping, Rodale Institute pros share their expertise in online classes. When you sign up, you get to grow your own know-how while supporting the effort to increase the number of organic farmers.
For details and schedules, go to RodaleInstitute.org/education.