Calypso Farms
Beginning Farmer Training for Rural Communities
Led by Indigenous farmers in partnership with Calypso Farm in Fairbanks, this hands-on program will teach participants how to grow vegetables in a way that is transferable to village communities.
Options 1, 2 & 3 will cover the following basic topics:
Seed starting
Preparing garden beds & transplanting plants
Cultivation & garden management
Water systems & irrigation
Composting
Using what you have on site to build the health of your soils
Animal husbandry: keeping sheep, goats and chickens
Bee keeping basics
Native plants
Cost: This training program is being offered at no cost.
Camping: Participants will tent camp at the farm and have access to an outdoor kitchen, outhouse and sauna. We will provide a tent, cot and sleeping bag, as well as food for the length of the program.
Participants are welcome to stay off-farm with friends or family, or reserve their own accommodations if tent camping is not a good option for them. If you choose to stay off-farm, you will need to provide your own transportation to and from the farm each day.
Travel: We will work with you to provide travel to Fairbanks. Roundtrip airfare up to $1,000 per adult participant will be covered.
Youth Farm Camp: We are offering a hands-on summer camp for kids (approx. ages 5-11) at the same time as this program! If you need/would like to bring your kids with you, they are invited to join camp at no cost while you attend the training. We are not able to assist with travel costs for kids.
All applicants must live in rural Alaska and preference will be given to aspiring Indigenous farmers and gardeners.
Questions about the program? Please get in touch! Email us at info@calypsofarm.org or call 907-451-0691.
