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Kootenay Farm School providing relevant training

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A stunning green Creston Valley has a variety of farm land and mountains in the background.

The Creston Valley provides an excellent place to debut COTR's Kootenay Farm School. — Photo courtesy COTR

As the demand for local, sustainable food increases, so does the need for local, sustainable farming. College of the Rockies (COTR) is stepping up, demonstrating its willingness to offer hands-on education that fits the specific needs of the Kootenays. The Creston campus is getting ready to offer Kootenay Farm School.

“We know that we need a farming crash course in the Kootenays,” said Farm School Coordinator Nigel Francis.  “This will be one of only a handful of similar programs in Canada. Our goal is to offer an innovative, intensive, comprehensive education for new agricultural entrepreneurs.”

Kootenay Farm School will offer workshops beginning in the fall of 2013 on topics such as seed saving and permaculture. Beginner Farmer Training, a ten-month program, will start in February of 2014, offering intensive and relevant training for anyone interested in becoming an agricultural entrepreneur.

“We will be teaching farming as a science, business, art, and way of life,” Francis continues. “Our students will get their hands dirty on small farms all over the Kootenays. They will network with like minds and hopefully build friendships and community.”

Local eating can benefit our economies, ecology and wellbeing. With COTR providing progressive education to a new generation of farmers, the Kootenays can continue to be on the forefront of sustainable farming.

Kristen Mitchell

Kristen studied at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook and has worked in a variety of industries, from agriculture to construction, retail to restaurants. She now brings her understanding of the area to Kootenay Business magazine. View all of Kristen Mitchell’s articles

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