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North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program

Program Updates * Program Information and Resources

apprentice on tractor

The North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program (NABDAP) is a program of the Biodynamic Association for beginning biodynamic and organic farmers. NABDAP combines two years of structured on-farm training and mentoring with a course of classroom study in biodynamics. NABDAP apprentices benefit from a comprehensive training curriculum, carefully selected mentor farms, and access to networking, support, and educational resources. Graduates of NABDAP are awarded a certificate in biodynamic farming from the Biodynamic Association.

Download the North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program brochure (PDF).

"As a mentor, it is important to me that apprentices make a deep commitment to their education. NABDAP provides a framework for training on both sides (mentor and apprentice) that helps this commitment become real."

- Nathaniel Thompson, Remembrance Farm

 

Program Updates

NABDAP Featured in RSF Social Finance Newsletter

The fall 2011 RSF quarterly, the newsletter of RSF Social Finance, is focused on Food and Agriculture. The newsletter includes a case study on how members of the RSF community are educating the next generation to support a healthy food systems, which features the North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program, as well as the Biodynamic Initiative for the Next Generation (BING) and several other programs. Read the newsletter (PDF).

Twenty Apprentices Enrolled in NABDAP!

As of August 1st, enrollment in NABDAP has reached 20 apprentices -- quadrupling the number enrolled at the beginning of 2011. We are delighted to have so many enthusiastic trainees on board, who have expressed deep commitment to developing themselves as biodynamic farmers. A few recent NABDAP enrollees in their own words:

"In an effort to build a tie with the soil and with the way my ancestors used to grow food, I found myself pursuing Biodynamic Agriculture. It seems to still consider the earth as sacred, and holy. That food is a gift, not simply a product. This the way I want learn this incredible art. Through Biodynamics I hope to develop a connection to the earth, while learning to grow my own food."

- Lee, NABDAP apprentice

"I could farm, and Lord knows people do, with little thought of subtlety. I could even look up a so-called organic farm, only to find its soil depleted and its produce shipped across three states while its neighbors buy hard tomatoes from the store. I knew I had a safer bet working with biodynamic farming; it's by definition concerned with the healthy whole. Now and in my farming future, I hope garner a health that goes beyond the physical, beginning with the farm and all on it, both human and non-human, and extending to its neighbors. If I can provide for the people near me, and do so in a way that is beautiful and bountiful, I'll have done well."

- Hannah, NABDAP apprentice

"Biodynamics goes beyond the hands on-tasks of the farmer, although all the same hands-on work is performed, into an overall awareness of the farm and the role of the farmer. Through studying biodynamics I find myself in a constant state of learning what it is to farm and gaining more insights into the “big” picture, seeing all of nature working together and how I can work with it to achieve real sustainable food production that is healthy on all accounts."

- Jessica, NABDAP apprentice

New Scholarship Fund Benefits NABDAP Apprentices

Responding to a growing interest in farming in general, and biodynamics in particular, the Biodynamic Farming and Gardening Association has launched a new scholarship fund to help the next generation of farmers gain the knowledge and skills they need to manage successful biodynamic farms. In its first year, awards from the fund will be offered to apprentices enrolled in the NABDAP to help pay tuition for any of our participating classroom study programs. The scholarship fund is supported by several generous donors, as well as funds raised though the “Feeding the Revolution” Biodynamic Food and Wine Tasting, a fundraiser that took place at the Association’s 2010 National Conference. Read the full article here.

If you are enrolled in NABDAP and would like to apply for a scholarship, please contact Thea Maria Carlson at nabdap@biodynamics.com to request an application.

 

Program Information and Resources

For Apprentices
For Mentor Farms

 

For more information about the program, or to apply to become an apprentice or mentor farmer, contact Thea Maria Carlson at nabdap@biodynamics.com or 262.649.9212 ext. 5