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The AFFECT Farmer Training Program is designed to teach the fundamentals of farming while offering hands-on experience working alongside some of Fairbanks' most successful farmers. You will learn everything from farm planning to soil health, seeding, transplanting, harvesting, marketing, even hydroponics. Field days will be scheduled with local farmers who will teach hands-on skills in various tools, fieldwork, greenhouse production, harvesting, and storing. This is the chance to cultivate alongside Goosefoot Farm and harvest carrots with Spinach Creek while building the skills necessary to start your own agricultural endeavor. Optional classes to learn about mushroom foraging, compost tea, hydroponics, and more, will be available for you to gain exposure to a scope of agricultural opportunities.
All graduated students are eligible for Year Two of our Farmer Training Program.
In Year Two, a student is matched with a local farm and works the whole season learning the specific nitty-gritty of what it takes to run a farm business.
In Year Three, students will be offered land to begin their farm business. We are in discussions with multiple landowners and organizations who are passionate about food security and wish to share their land and water resources.
PROGRAM DATES:
The Farmer Training Program for Summer 2026 will start later than usual due to the delay in funding but will run from the beginning of July until the end of August.
PROGRAM STRUCTURE:
Classes will meet twice per week on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6-8pm, starting with our first class on July 6th (Monday night). Most of the classes will be held on-farm, with a few specific farm-business classes to be held at FSWCD's conference room in town. Carpooling is available upon request and students will have the addresses of our locally-partnered farms ahead of time, as well as the full summer schedule upon enrollment.
Preference will be given to students with disabilities for our '26 cohort. Qualifying disabilities include:
Cognitive or psychological: mental health related, PTSD, autism, etc.
Physical conditions such as arthritis, amputation, TBI, spinal cord injuries
+ a wide range of other disabilities - Please indicate on your application if any of these apply to you!
SESSIONS:
Farm planning and Preparation
Seed Starting
Selecting Varieties
Farm Tools and Equipment
Working With Your Soil - Tillage/no-till
Irrigation
Nutrient Management
Crop Rotation
Composting
Weed Control
Harvest and Storage
Business Training for Success
...and more!
REQUIREMENTS:
Participants must reside in the Fairbanks North Star Borough & be 18 years old unless accompanied by an adult who is also an AFFECT student!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Tuition-free!
Transportation to and from field visits will be offered.
Build meaningful connections with local farms.
Develop marketable skills in agriculture, specific to Interior Alaska.
Certificate awarded on behalf of the Fairbanks Soil and Water Conservation District, upon completion of the course.
PLEASE FULLY COMPLETE THE APPLICATION BELOW
To apply, please complete and submit the form below. If you have difficulties with the form, need assistance, or prefer to send your responses via email, please contact AFFECTfarm@gmail.com.
We suggest writing out your answers to the below questions in a separate document, then, copying and pasting your answers into the Form when you are ready to Submit your responses.
If you have any problems or need more information, please email AFFECTfarm@gmail.com.
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