Courses

Cultivating Success ^TM Certificate in Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching for Farmers and Community Members

The Cultivating Success ^TM program provides an opportunity to gain experience, knowledge and skills in sustainable farming practices through a variety of courses offered in cooperation with WSU and UI Extension. Two certificate options are available for farmers and community members: Cultivating Success ^TM Certificate in Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching Level I or Level II. Level I students will complete 2 classes plus a farm-based learning experience. Level II students will complete 4 classes plus a farm-based learning experience.*

Cultivating Success ^TM Certificate: Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching Level I

Required Cultivating Success ^TM
approved courses:

· Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching or Living on the Land: Stewardship for Small Acreages (2008 version; must include modules 7 and 8)

· On-Farm Internship or Mentorship

· Choice of one other course listed below:

            Agricultural Entrepreneurship

                 Ecological Soil Management

                       Field Analysis of Sust. Food Systems

                     Organic Farming and Gardening

           Organic Farming Practicum

           World Agriculture Systems

         courses under development

           Sci., Society & Sust. Food Systems

                Sustainable Livestock Production

Cultivating Success ^TM Certificate: Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching Level II

Required Cultivating Success ^TM
approved courses:

· Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching or Living on the Land: Stewardship for Small Acreages (2008 version; must include modules 7 and 8)

· Agricultural Entrepreneurship

· On-Farm Internship or Mentorship

· Choice of at least two other courses listed below:

Ecological Soil Management

Field Analysis of Sust. Food Systems

Organic Farming and Gardening

Organic Farming Practicum

World Agriculture Systems

          courses under development

          Sci., Society & Sust. Food Systems

                 Sustainable Livestock Production

*Cultivating Success ^TM understands that these options may not be best for everyone, and course substitutions may be possible. Please contact your Cultivating Success ^TM state coordinator to create a certificate option that best meets your personal needs.

The Cultivating Success ^TM Program is a sustainable, comprehensive, experiential education program aimed at increasing the number and fostering the success of sustainable, small farms and ranches in Washington and Idaho. The program is community-based partnership between university, non-profit organizations and agricultural and business agencies in Washington and Idaho. The program is comprised of a set of courses designed and/or included to meet specific learning objectives that are important for achieving sustainable, small farm and ranch enterprises. The courses can be taken individually or collectively for a certificate. They are offered in multiple locations and in a variety of formats that meet the needs of interested academic students, community members, beginning and existing farmers.

University of Idaho, Rural Roots, and Washington State University do not discriminate on the basis race/ethnicity, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sex orientation, age, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental, of physical disability, use of a trained guide dog or service animal, disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran status in its administration of educational policies, programs, or activities, or other University administered programs or employment.

For more information or see when courses are offered, please visit the Courses section.

Farm Based Learning
On-Farm Internship: The Cultivating Success™ internship is offered for variable length in hours. This is a more traditional internship where all learning takes place at the internship site and the intern works directly with a farmer instructor to gain hands-on experience. Internships will correspond with the farming / ranching season. Students may also learn other aspects of the farm operation, such as marketing at a farmers market. The student does not have to own or operate their own farm, as they can use the resources provided by the internship-mentor. *On-farm learning fees apply to the agreed upon time commitments of the internship.

On-Farm Mentorship: This option is for people who have difficulties meeting the demands of the traditional internship but want to gain experience and/or earn a Cultivating Success™ Completion Certificate. This is a great opportunity for beginning farmers with their own farm, garden plot, or access to land where they can practice and apply what they learn one-on-one from a farmer mentor. A mentorship can be made up of a series of farm-walks, workshops, conferences or by part-time learning from a trained farmer mentor. This is a “build your own” option and other opportunities may be counted in addition to those above as long as they fulfill the requirements set by Cultivating Success™.

All farms offering internships and mentorships are certified instructional farms and have a site-specific curriculum associated with the operation. Interested farmers receive on-going assistance with curricula development and implementation by the coordinator.

Currently internships and mentorships are available on farms in Laclede ID, Sandpoint ID, Harvard ID, Colfax WA, Colton WA, Rice WA, WSU Organic Farm, and UI Organic Farm
Click here for learn more about our farmer mentors. é

Business Module
Agricultural Entrepreneurship
This is an existing curriculum widely used by university and extension educators throughout the country. This in-depth business planning course covers evaluating resources, planning and research, legal and management issues, marketing strategies, budgets and financial statements and cultivating money resources. Participants have a completed business plan at completion of course. Again, farmer and community business people served as guest speakers, bringing real world experience to the class. Click here for locations. é

World Agricultural Systems
This course explores the interaction between agriculture and human societies ( past and present). It includes historical discussions of the world’s major food crops and farming methods, current agricultural systems on our planet, and the role that climate and soils play in both of these. Available through distance delivery. Click here for instructor's website. é

		PROGRAM QUICK LINKS __________________ Cultivating Success™ Courses Starting Soon in ID Cultivating Success™ Courses Starting Soon in WA How to Enroll in a Course How to Offer a Course Course Descriptions Internship/ Mentorship Program Featured Farmer Mentors: Tom and Cheryl Kammerzell of Maple K Farms Earn a Certificate in Cultivating Success^TM WA State Programs for Latino & Hmong Farmers _________________ Contact Your Local Extension Educator to Request Courses in Idaho Washington

Certificate
The Cultivating Success ^TM Certificate Program Cultivating Success ^TM Certificate in Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching for Farmers and Community Members The Cultivating Success ^TM program provides an opportunity to gain experience, knowledge and skills in sustainable farming practices through a variety of courses offered in cooperation with WSU and UI Extension. Two certificate options are available for farmers and community members: Cultivating Success ^TM Certificate in Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching Level I or Level II. Level I students will complete 2 classes plus a farm-based learning experience. Level II students will complete 4 classes plus a farm-based learning experience.* Cultivating Success ^TM Certificate: Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching Level I Required Cultivating Success ^TM approved courses: · Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching or Living on the Land: Stewardship for Small Acreages (2008 version; must include modules 7 and 8) · On-Farm Internship or Mentorship · Choice of one other course listed below: Agricultural Entrepreneurship Ecological Soil Management Field Analysis of Sust. Food Systems Organic Farming and Gardening Organic Farming Practicum World Agriculture Systems courses under development Sci., Society & Sust. Food Systems Sustainable Livestock Production Cultivating Success ^TM Certificate: Sustainable Small Farming and Ranching Level II Required Cultivating Success ^TM approved courses: · Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching or Living on the Land: Stewardship for Small Acreages (2008 version; must include modules 7 and 8) · Agricultural Entrepreneurship · On-Farm Internship or Mentorship · Choice of at least two other courses listed below: Ecological Soil Management Field Analysis of Sust. Food Systems Organic Farming and Gardening Organic Farming Practicum World Agriculture Systems courses under development Sci., Society & Sust. Food Systems Sustainable Livestock Production Cultivating Success ^TM understands that these options may not be best for everyone, and course substitutions may be possible. Please contact your Cultivating Success ^TM state coordinator to create a certificate option that best meets your* personal needs. The Cultivating Success ^TM Program is a sustainable, comprehensive, experiential education program aimed at increasing the number and fostering the success of sustainable, small farms and ranches in Washington and Idaho. The program is community-based partnership between university, non-profit organizations and agricultural and business agencies in Washington and Idaho. The program is comprised of a set of courses designed and/or included to meet specific learning objectives that are important for achieving sustainable, small farm and ranch enterprises. The courses can be taken individually or collectively for a certificate. They are offered in multiple locations and in a variety of formats that meet the needs of interested academic students, community members, beginning and existing farmers. University of Idaho, Rural Roots, and Washington State University do not discriminate on the basis race/ethnicity, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, sex orientation, age, marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental, of physical disability, use of a trained guide dog or service animal, disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran status in its administration of educational policies, programs, or activities, or other University administered programs or employment. For more information or see when courses are offered, please visit the Courses section. Course Descriptions Sustainable Small Farms Overview Sustainable Small Farming & Ranching This course has students taking a realistic look at their goals and resources, and helps them evaluate what type of small acreage enterprise is right for them. Students are exposed to all types of farming and ranching systems, guest farmers speak to the class, and field trips are taken to local farms. Browse photos from a recent SSFR field trip. Click here for locations. é Farm Based Learning On-Farm Internship: The Cultivating Success™ internship is offered for variable length in hours. This is a more traditional internship where all learning takes place at the internship site and the intern works directly with a farmer instructor to gain hands-on experience. Internships will correspond with the farming / ranching season. Students may also learn other aspects of the farm operation, such as marketing at a farmers market. The student does not have to own or operate their own farm, as they can use the resources provided by the internship-mentor. On-farm learning fees apply to the agreed upon time commitments of the internship. On-Farm Mentorship:* This option is for people who have difficulties meeting the demands of the traditional internship but want to gain experience and/or earn a Cultivating Success™ Completion Certificate. This is a great opportunity for beginning farmers with their own farm, garden plot, or access to land where they can practice and apply what they learn one-on-one from a farmer mentor. A mentorship can be made up of a series of farm-walks, workshops, conferences or by part-time learning from a trained farmer mentor. This is a “build your own” option and other opportunities may be counted in addition to those above as long as they fulfill the requirements set by Cultivating Success™. * On-farm learning fees are based on the number of hours of the internship All farms offering internships and mentorships are certified instructional farms and have a site-specific curriculum associated with the operation. Interested farmers receive on-going assistance with curricula development and implementation by the coordinator. Currently internships and mentorships are available on farms in Laclede ID, Sandpoint ID, Harvard ID, Colfax WA, Colton WA, Rice WA, WSU Organic Farm, and UI Organic Farm Click here for learn more about our farmer mentors. é Business Module Agricultural Entrepreneurship This is an existing curriculum widely used by university and extension educators throughout the country. This in-depth business planning course covers evaluating resources, planning and research, legal and management issues, marketing strategies, budgets and financial statements and cultivating money resources. Participants have a completed business plan at completion of course. Again, farmer and community business people served as guest speakers, bringing real world experience to the class. Click here for locations. é Sustainable Production Organic Gardening and Farming Principles and production practices of organic gardening and farming including cropping and composting systems, techniques, tools, and resources. Incorporates guest speakers, field trips, and hands-on experience. Available in Moscow/Pullman. Click here for instructor's website. é Organic Farming Practicum Production skills necessary to manage an organic market garden or farm. Practices learned in Organic Gardening and Farming will be put into practice. 2005 Summer course. Available in Moscow/Pullman. Browse photos of a recent visit to the WSU Organic Farm. é Ecological Soil Management A hands-on approach to learning to build a healthy soil complex that promotes a balance of soil nutrients and organisms. Available in Moscow/Pullman. é Sustainable Livestock Production Covers alternative healthy practices, nutrition, feeding, housing, rotational grazing, processing, marketing and regulations. Available in Moscow/Pullman. é Sustainable Food Systems Science, Society and Sustainable Food Systems This course provides a basic understanding of food systems, the role of science in our food systems, and issues of sustainability. Students will explore the broad view of food and farming systems at the individual, community, society and ecosystem levels. Some of the topics explored are environmental issues in sustainable agriculture and food production, pesticides, fertilizers, organic wastes, biotechnology, quality of life, and risk-benefit assessment. Available in Moscow/Pullman. Click here to visit instructor's website. é Field Analysis of Sustainable Food Systems This course is a weeklong immersion field trip that exposes students to all aspects of the food system, using participatory and experiential learning techniques. Participants will visit farmers and processors throughout the region and assess food systems sustainability using a learning systems approach. The course helps existing and potential producers understand and take advantage of the context within which they are farming. Available in Moscow/Pullman. Browse photos from previous participants. Click here for instructor's website. é World Agricultural Systems This course explores the interaction between agriculture and human societies ( past and present). It includes historical discussions of the world’s major food crops and farming methods, current agricultural systems on our planet, and the role that climate and soils play in both of these. Available through distance delivery. Click here for instructor's website. é