North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program > Participating Mentor Farms

Our Farmer Training Programs Are Evolving!

Since 2009, over 100 aspiring biodynamic farmers have participated in our North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program (NABDAP), learning side-by-side with exemplary biodynamic mentor farmers across the continent. We have celebrated the graduation of 37 new biodynamic farmers, and 12 more are on track to graduate this year. Just as each farm individuality needs to grow and evolve over time, so does our work to train the next generation of farmers.

Building on the strengths and accomplishments of NABDAP, we are delighted to introduce two new intensive one-year programs that will provide more flexibility, as well as a solid and broad foundation in all of the essentials of biodynamic farming for everyone who participates. Individuals will have the option to participate in just the first year, or both.

For both programs, we are inviting established farmers interested in learning more about biodynamics to participate as well continuing to offer apprenticeship opportunities on exemplary mentor farms.

The Biodynamic Farmer Foundation Year offers aspiring biodynamic farmers the opportunity to build a solid foundation in the principles and practices of biodynamic agriculture. Individual support from an experienced mentor farmer and a cohesive, integrated, and interactive learning curriculum bring biodynamics to life.

The Biodynamic Farmer Development Year, which will begin in 2019, will develop and deepen the skills needed for biodynamic farm management for those who graduate from the foundation year. This program will allow for more scope and specialization in specific farm management and production areas.

Applications for the Biodynamic Farmer Foundation Year will open at the end of November. Contact Anthony at anthony@biodynamics.com (link sends e-mail) or by phone at 262.649.9212 x14 with any questions or to be notified when applications open.

The NABDAP pages will remain in place for those interested in seeing the strong foundations we are building our new programs on. The graduate profiles are especially inspiring!  You can find all the details on our new Farmer Training programs at our new Biodynamic Farmer Training page.

These are Mentor Farms from NABDAP, which is retired. We will have mentor farm pages up for our Biodynamic Farmer Foundation Year very soon!

camphill villageCamphill Village USA, Inc. is an intentional community for adults with developmental disabilities (villagers), co-workers, and their children. Located in the verdant rolling hills outside of Copake, NY, the Village is a model in life-sharing communities. A leader in biodynamic agriculture, Camphill Village’s gardens and farm reflect the cyclical aspect of nature that coincides with community festivals. The Village is a model for sustainable living and social renewal. Located in rural upstate New York, Camphill Village comprises 600 acres of wooded hills, gardens, and pastures. We are 240 people of different backgrounds, ages, and abilities.

Size of farm: The land comprises of 325 acres of forest, 220 acres of farmland, 5 acres of intensive vegetable growing, 5 acres of seed growing (Turtle Tree Seeds) and a 3 acre herb/flower garden.

Diversity of production: The farm has dairy cows, beef cows, pigs, sheep, small grains and vegetables. The herb garden process their harvest into teas, ointments, culinary herbs, etc.

Skills that can be learned: See Camphill Village's skills checklists

Apprenticeship details: We can offer apprenticeships on the farm (dairy or vegetable focus) and in the healing herb garden. Apprenitces stay a minimum of one year. As apprentices will participate fully in the life of the community we can only accept people who have previous Camphill experience or who have lived in Camphill Village for at least three months in order to make sure that this is the type of training they are looking for. Room and board, health insurance, and $150/month stipend are provided.

Mentor Farmers: Stephen Boothroyd (dairy), Peter Brady (vegetable), Marc Blachere (healing garden)

Address: 26 Sunny Valley Road, Camphill Village USA, Copake, NY 12516

Phone: 518-329-2222   Email: s.boothroyd@hotmail.com

Website: www.camphillvillage.org