Pathways to Farming Retreat
July 19-21, 2024
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Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming and GrowNYC Farmer Assistance are proud to announce our Pathways to Farming Retreat, a three day learning experience for people who are curious about a career in farming but are unsure of how to start.
The application for Pathways to Farming 2024 is now closed.
Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming and GrowNYC Farmer Assistance are proud to announce our Pathways to Farming Retreat, a three day learning experience for people who are curious about a career in farming but are unsure of how to start.
This retreat will be held for a community of 21 participants and will include hands-on service learning, introductory lessons about farming as a career, and opportunities to connect with like minded individuals at a similar journey stage, as well as a wide range of agriculture professionals from the Hudson Valley region.
The goal of the retreat is to give participants an idea of what it would be like to commit themselves to farming as a full time career, with a combination of field work, discussion panels, and lectures. The retreat is meant to highlight the physicality of a career in farming.
A significant portion of the retreat will be dedicated to hands-on field work. Participants will work on both livestock and vegetable operations. Retreat attendees should be prepared for an experience that may be physically challenging, uncomfortable, or repetitive and eager to experience some of the realities of day to day farming.
After the retreat, participants will receive support and resources from both organizations to define next steps in their farming journey. Participants are required to attend for the entire duration of the retreat.
All transportation, activities, meals, childcare, and accommodations are partially supported through the USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program, Award 2022-70017-38176, an initiative of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
This retreat is free to attend.
Nicole Scott, Farm Director, Livestock Operation and Farm Outreach at Glynwood.
Retreat Activities
Hands-on vegetable and livestock service learning field sessions (For example: weeding vegetable fields, transplanting, mucking out, moving animals in pasture)
Introductory lessons about sustainable land stewardship, farm business fundamentals, food justice, and careers in agriculture
Networking and reflective conversations about farming as a career with farmers and agricultural professionals
Opportunity to meet like-minded individuals on a similar journey
Support provided
Round trip transportation from NYC to Glynwood (Cold Spring, NY)
Overnight accommodations
Childcare stipend
A limited number of $200 childcare stipends will be available upon request
Stipends are to be used at home/off-site
Meals and snacks
The entire retreat will be held in English and Spanish (Interpretation between English and Spanish will be provided)
Who should apply?
A person aged 18 or older
Someone considering career in production farming or starting a farm business
Community gardeners and urban farmers who are considering starting a farm business or transitioning to rural production
People who enjoy physical work; working outside; and are capable of kneeling, bending, squatting and lifting
Candidates without significant farming experience are strongly encouraged to apply
Our program is designed for communities who are underrepresented in receiving resources for agricultural education and support, including BIPOC, immigrants, women, Latinx farm workers, new Americans, and LGBTQIA+
How to Apply
Application due date: April 30th, 2024, 12:00PM.
Accepted candidates will be notified by the end of May.
Applications will be evaluated on a combination of past and present access to farming opportunities; demonstrated interest in farming; a commitment to climate and social justice; current work; and future goals and intentions. Candidates with less farming experience will be preferred.
To apply by mail, you can find printable applications here
To apply online, you can find our online application form here
Questions? Write to bfp@grownyc.org.
About Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming
Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming is a non-profit organization in the Hudson Valley dedicated to supporting farmers and creating a stronger and more equitable local food system. Glynwood cultivates just and resilient regional food systems so that communities, farmers, and the land thrive.
In addition to supporting farmers throughout the region, Glynwood has a vegetable and livestock farm where they train apprentices each year. Programs and support are offered for farmers at every level, from training the next generation of farmers to providing business and technical assistance to established farms. Our regional food programs like CSA is a SNAP and Cider Project help us build towards a strong, resilient, and equitable food system that centers sustainable farming, our health, and our planet.
About the Glynwood Apprenticeship
Glynwood offers a ten month apprenticeship focusing on building sustainable agricultural skills at their on-site livestock and vegetable operations. Apprentices with an existing foundation of farm experience will hone their technical farming skills while participating in 60 hours of classroom based education. The Glynwood apprenticeship helps apprentices develop the managerial and business skills necessary to step into a position of responsibility in their next farming opportunity, or to take the next steps towards running their own farm business. Some of the classes we offer include composting, soil health and testing, tractor safety and operation, marketing, and pest management. This apprenticeship is paid and housing is provided on-site along with several other benefits. There are three vegetable apprentices and two livestock apprentices hired each season, with the season running from March to December.
About the Hudson Valley Apprenticeship
The Hudson Valley Apprenticeship (HVA) is a decentralized apprenticeship model that provides apprentices at select host farms with classroom education and mentoring to complement their on-farm learning. HVA apprentices will spend the majority of time developing their skills in sustainable agriculture at their mentor farms, but will gather with each other and the Glynwood apprentices to take part in 60 hours of classroom based education. Mentor farms are carefully selected to provide a robust learning environment that offers a variety of experiences and prioritizes the apprentice. All mentor farms have demonstrated commitment to anti-racism and equity. Compensation and housing varies from farm to farm but all HVA apprentices are compensated for their time spent in classroom learning. Some of the farms in our network include Choy Division, Maple View Farm, Rise & Root Farm, and Phillies Bridge Farm Project.
About the Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator
The Hudson Valley Farm Business Incubator (HVFBI) provides customized technical assistance to new and growth stage farm entrepreneurs. The Glynwood farmer training team provides support in areas including business planning, financial management, legal advising, land access, and networking. Incubator farms work closely with Glynwood over a two year period to utilize these resources and ensure the long term success of their farm businesses.
About GrowNYC Farmer Assistance
Farmer Assistance provides both aspiring and established Greenmarket farmers with business technical assistance and training designed to ensure the long-term viability of participating farms and farmland. Technical assistance is provided through both in-house services and through the engagement of cost-shared consultants.
Farmer Assistance's Beginning Farmer Program identifies, educates, and supports aspiring farmers with agricultural experience from predominantly marginalized communities to establish their own economically and environmentally sustainable farm businesses in the NYC region. Our flagship programs include our Farm Beginnings course in English offered every year starting in January and our La Nueva Siembra (LNS) course in Spanish offered every year starting in April.
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