Farmer Campus Online Course
Build climate resilience on your farm
Climate Resilience via Agroecology
Self-led Online Course | Open Enrollment | New Course
Confronting the realities of a changing climate
Drawing on decades of training farmers amidst climate change, Farmer Campus in collaboration with agroecology expert Dr. Clara Nicholls bring you a self-paced online course where you will learn from climate resilient agriculture experts, experienced farmers, and Farmer Campus’s network of agroecology educators. You will have access to online forums to help you build relationships, problem-solve and share expertise with other farmers in the USA. Through a series of engaging online videos and innovative assignments, you’ll learn to create and apply strategies to improve environmental conditions on your farm while helping build resilience and productivity within your management practices. All materials are oriented to confronting the realities of climate change for farmers by drawing on the theory and practice of agroecology and its applications designing resilient farming systems.
Awarded “Outstanding Project” by the Western Extension Risk Management Center!
Farmers already know just how much we are connected and vulnerable to the variability inherent in working with nature. Yet farming connects to climate change in profound ways – paradoxically, industrial farming is one of the main contributors to climate change. However, agroecological farming can actually mitigate and reduce the risks, vulnerability and impacts of a changing climate. With this contradiction in mind, it is clear that to confront climate change rather than just react to it, we need to adapt the way we farm to reduce impacts on the environment and mimic nature, nurture strong farmer networks, and make our farms, and our farmers more climate resilient.
Farmer Campus is proud to offer an online course to help you build the tools to do just that.
Key Topic Areas
How Climate Change and Agriculture Connect
Regional Impacts and Case Studies
Tools and Models for Agricultural Decision Making
Agroecology and Resiience
Principles and Practices of Agroecology
Agroecosystem Indicators of Risk and Resilience
By taking this course you will:
Create a Climate Resilience Action Plan for your farm or ranch
Increase your farm or ranch’s ability to adapt to the impacts of Climate Change and reduce both the production, social and financial risks of climate variability
Connect with experts and peers online
Gain familiarity with the regional tools, policies and resources available to support you as a farmer in the face of climate change
Understand how your farm or ranch connects with climate change, agroecology, and global agriculture
Develop new relationships to share best practices and strategies
Thank you again for presenting a great class and introducing us to some really remarkable leaders in the field of Agroecology. Since research and teaching are a critical part of our Resilience Plan, having an alliance with a scientist of Dr. Nicholls stature is quite significant. Thank you for this remarkable opportunity.
Course Alumni 2018
How learning happens
Online Lessons
Starting learning without leaving your farm. Combines community-driven practical, and scientific knowledge in 6 online modules featuring videos, podcasts and activities.
Farmer Networks
Learn alongside farmer-to-farmer private forums, compare ideas and co-create solutions with fellow producers.
Community Educators
All materials were made just for you and include experts from the field as well as stories from farmers who are building climate resilience on farm.
Resilience Plan
Assess your farm's vulnerabilities, risks and strengths to create an actionable plan to reduce your farm's risks to climate variabilities.
Applied Activities
Each module includes an on-farm Applied Activity, helping you analyze and apply new principles and practices while reflecting how different concepts relate to your own farm and/or community.
Personalized
You set the pace to shape learning around your busy schedule. Offering video, podcasts, discussion forums, readings and multimedia, this course is designed for all learning styles.
Course FAQ
We offer a sliding scale payment model in order to make our materials accessible to small scale & subsistence farmers, low-income and marginalized communities. Please pay to the fullest extent that you are able in order to help us keep this course updated, relevant and useful for future participants. Paying at a higher level also helps us support those who may not otherwise have been able to take the course!
If you cannot afford to pay, you may take this course for free on an honor system with no questions asked. No one turned away for lack of funds!
Once you enroll, you’ll pay what you can using our suggested ranges:
Soil $0
Seed $1-$25
Transplant $25-$100
Pollinator $100-$350
Steward $350-$500+
Individual Sliding Scale things to Consider
- Do you rely on farming for the majority of your income?
- Are you low-income or part of a marginalized group?
- Do you support your family or other dependents?
- Do you have outstanding debt?
- Do you have chronic health needs or disabilities that have financial implications?
- Are you connected to an organization that you could ask to sponsor your participation in this course?
This course is now a “Self-Led” Course, so you’ll set your timeframe, workload and the pace. There will be occasional live workshops you can attend in person and online, but you can complete course content when it is most convenient for you.
We have made special pre-recorded materials for each of the 6 modules, such as podcasts and videos, totaling about an hour or so of material. In addition, you’ll have hands-on Applied Activities that can be put in practice right away and combine to make your Resilience Plan.
A computer & high speed internet connection to watch videos; a farm or land suitable for doing the practical Applied Activities; self-motivation to structure your time and complete lessons. You must also have a strong interest and desire to practice climate resilient farming or ranching.
Course materials are highly applicable for farmers, interns, apprentices, agricultural professionals, educators, students, and anyone with an interest in climate resilience in an agricultural context.
While the content is accessible for many different learning backgrounds and styles, this course is currently tailored for those with a minimum of basic English reading and comprehension.
Note: There is no scale requirement for your operation. Prior experience with climate resilient farming not required. Background in organic/sustainable farming and ranching also not required.
The course content is tailored for people currently farming or ranching in California and the West coast, but anyone regardless of region or profession are encouraged to join.
So glad you asked! Click the “Enroll” button at the top to register for the course. This will take you to an application form.
You will then get a link to the Farmer Campus Online Learning Platform which houses our curriculum, network and classroom, where you’ll make a profile and then be taken to your course.
If you’d like to get in touch, email <contact@farmercampus.com>. Please note we are part-time staff. Thank you for your patience with a response!
We look forward to learning with you.
Testimonials
Created in Community
Our Network
Enriched by contributions and resources from our network of farmers, ranchers, scientists, and community field experts across the country.
Farmers & Field Experts
With deep appreciation for contributions from the farming and ranching community, and for sharing your stories of adaptation & resilience.
Sponsors & Contributors
Made possible by generous support from our sponsors and contributing University Extensions, Academics, Agroecologists Nonprofits, and Climate Professionals.
Start Building Climate Resilience Today
Join a cohort of farmers confronting the realities of a changing climate
Let us know you're interested
Email us at contact@farmercampus.com
