Farmers-in-Training

FIT farmers gain hands-on experience growing vegetables at high elevation. The FIT program provides a strong foundation for aspiring and beginning farmers through morning field work, afternoon classes, and field trips. You will work with program staff to tend about two acres of vegetables, learning new and traditional skills and techniques vital to farming at high elevation. FITs join the Old Fort staff and program partners in a network committing to supporting beginning farmers through incubator and land access opportunities, business planning, and community support.

Schedule

Course overview

• Orientation – May 13, 14, 15
• Session 1: May 20  - June 27 (6 weeks – at least one field trip tied to each course)
• Break – June 27 - July 7
• Session 2: July 8 - August 14 (6 weeks – at least one field trip tied to each course)
• Break – August 15 – August 25
• Farmer Training Convergence – August 29 - 30
• Session 3: August 26 – October 2 (4 weeks – no field trips)

Time commitment

Work and class schedules require a 22-hour/week commitment

• Fieldwork: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
• Classes: Tuesday, Thursday 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
• Field Trips: Wednesdays 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. through August

Content

Program graduates will complete:

• Six farming courses
• 240 hours of work in the fields
• At least eight field trips to regional farms

Courses include:

• Farming tools of the trade
• Intro to market farming
• Seed to seed: plant basics for farmers
• Growing specialty crops at high elevations
• Intro to farm business planning

Fort Lewis College certificate requirements

FLC students participating in the FIT Program can opt to add a certificate, which is nested within the Regenerative Food Systems Certificate. The FIT Certificate and program are identical.

View FIT Certificate