The following is a nearly completed list of sustainable agriculture/ecological farming education and/or
demonstration projects-retreats-centers here in the West we talked about this last week when I was at Agroecology following the ecofarm conference. Many offer courses and classes, some oriented
towards schoolchildren, some adults. More than several provide live-in educational ecological
farming apprenticeships. Most are open to the public. All inspire the growing movement toward
ecological farming practices and a sustainable future.
Please let me know who I've left out, for this is not meant to be a complete list...
and PLEASE distribute!
compiled by David Kupfer, dkupfer@igc.org
267 Stagecoach Rd., Trinidad, Ca 95570
The Arcata Farm Project.
Begun 3 years ago by Susan Ornelas, a Humboldt State Sustainable Agriculture Instructor and
Farmer of Willow Creek Farm. Community involvement is advanced by the Farm Project at HSU -
CSA & an innovative effort involves shool kids, HSU students, communty members .
sdt3@axe.humboldt.edu
Aprovecha Institute
Cottage Grove OR
Camp Joy Garden
John Nelson Teri Chanterai
131 Camp Joy Rd Boulder Creek Ca 95006
408 338 3651
Camp Joy is a small, non profit organic far located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The farm supports
itself with educational programs and by marketing vegetables, fruits, flowers, and herbs to the local
community. Camp Joy is a working farm as well as a learning center for people of all ages, offering
apprenticeships each season and presenting a full calender of classes and events. "In the garden we
find inspiration by living and working on the land, while at the same time attaining practical skills
translating that inspiration into action for positive social change on our lives and as a whole."
Campus Center for Appropriate Technology House
Buck House, #97
Humboldt State University
Arcata, Ca. 95521
707 - 826-3551
Center for AgroEcology and Sustainable Food Systems
1156 High St. Santa Cruz, Ca 95064
408 459 4140
Contact: Ann Linsey
Ecology Action
5798 Ridgewood Rd., Willits, Ca. 95490
707 459 0150, fax 3120
Biointensive agriculture Center where Biointenive workshops, tours, and internships take place. Also
a seed company, was founded by John Jeavons, author, "How to Grow More Vegetable than You
Ever Thought Possible..."
No drop in visitors! Has list of other organizations' apprenticeship programs.
Eselen Institute
Steve Beck
Big Sur
93920
408 667 3004
fx -2724
Evergreen Farm Washington
Farm Sanctuary West
POB 1065
Orland, CA 95963
916 865 4617, fax 4622
300 acre farm with 200 rescued animals. Guided tours
Fetzers Garden
Hopland, Calif.
Five acre organic garden and chef training center. Plus, Good wine.
Green Gulch - Zen Center
Wendy Johnson 415 383 3134
Heartwood Institute
Grady
220 Harmony Lane, Garberville 95542
707 923 5000/9910
Hedgerow Farms
8328 Valmont Rd. Boulder CO. 95466
This 20 acre market farm has recently been bought by the renown Naropa Institute of Boulder CO,
and their intention is to integrate the farm into their educational programs, (in particular, their BA in
Environmental Studies -"The Union of Science Spirit and Engagement"), which in the past have
featured individuals such as Alan Chadwick, Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson, Eliot Coleman.
Hidden Villa
26870 Moody Rd Los Altos, 94022
415 949 8650
Andy and Carolyn
Lost Valley Center
Dexter, OR
Occidental for Arts and Ecology Center (OAEC)
Dave Hensen, Doug Gosling, Master Gardener
15290 Coleman Valley Rd., Occidental, CA
707 874 1557, fax 1558
OAEC used to be the Farallones Institute. Today it continues as an intentional community, sustainable
agriculture and appropriate techology workshop, and retreat center, and site of an inernationally
known and acclaimed organic gardens and orchard. Also maintains a seed saving project.
Ocean Song
Dennis
Coleman Valley Rd. Occidental 95465
707 874 2442
Pomona State Center for regenerative Studies Project
Professor John Lyle
Sandy Bar Ranch
797 Ishi Pishi Rd., POB 347 Orleans, CA 95556 916 627 3379
SBR is nestled in a small valley arved out by the Klamath river, and serves as an educational facility
offering workshops on such topics as composting privys, herbalism, permaculture, pruning and
grafting fruit trees, juggling, etc. On the ranch is an organic garden fruit tree nursery and home crafts.
SBR is a collective enterprise dedicated to the stewardship and the sustainable management of natural
resources held in trust for future generations.
Sawtooth Community Garden Project
3 Gimlet Rd. POB 1168, Ketchum, ID 83340 208 726 9358
SCGP is a hands on participatory education center dedicated to the research, education, and sharing
of information on strategies on the environment and foster the development of community
connections. Their gardens provide public education and research in organic gardening and
sustainable building practices.
Shenoa Retreat and Learning Center
POB 43, Philo, CA 95466 707 895 3156 fax 3236
This Findhorn (Scotland) inspired retreat center aims to "serve the growing planetary need for groups
and individuals serving the growing planetary need for enhanced cooperation, communication, and
re-connection with Spirit, nature, and all dimensions of life." Shenoa sits on 160 acres of meadows
and forests alongside the Navarro River in the Anderson Valley. The have ongoing workshops and
programs.
Slide Ranch
415 381 6155 Contact: Ross Herbertson
Student Experimental Research Farm
Mark Van Horn UC Davis 95616
916 752 7645
Swanton Pacific Ranch
Kevin Piper, Brenda Smith
299 Swanton Rd., Davenport, CA 95010
408 427 1718
Agrarian Effort
TB 15, UC Davis, Ca., 95616
916 754 1310
20 year old on campus student cooperative home with gardens and educational mission.
Alan Chadwick Garden UCSC
Rudolph Steiner College Biodynamic ag courses, classes, tours. Sacramento