Master Urban Farmer Training Program

A program for aspiring urban farmers

Mission

After completing this course, students will understand what it takes to start an urban farm and how implementing systems and standardized production practices expands a farm's capacity to produce food. At the end of the program, participants will be able to write a simple business plan and have the information necessary to move forward with their urban farming goals.

We recommend you have at least two years experience growing food prior to attending this program. If you are seeking beginning growing information like how to grow a tomato in a container, please consider one of our other trainings. Some good places to get started with basic growing information include our online Horticulture resources and our online Successful School and Community Garden webinar series. You may also be interested in our Master Gardener Training. or other urban agriculture programs offered by our Local Food Systems and Small Farms team.

Who should attend?

Entrepreneurs who want to start an intensive urban produce farm.

Community members who want to develop their food production skill set in order to increase food security and/or establish a community food system project in their neighborhood.

Master Gardeners interested in intensifying their food production skill set.

Educators who want to bring food production knowledge back to their organization.

Growers interested in more intensive training programs, but not sure if they want to commit the time or the money.

Anyone who is interested in urban farming.

How is the course structured?

An online orientation session to meet your instructors and become familiar with our online classroom.
Live Zoom lectures once a week. Attendance at and participation in these lectures is expected.
In-person demonstrations (optional) at our farm in Matteson 2 to 4 times per session.
Weekly homework assignments/quizzes are graded as complete/incomplete.
Dedication to course materials outside of class time is expected.

Who are the instructors?

Extension Educators Zack Grant and Kathryn Pereira are the primary instructors with guest lectures from regional and local topic experts. Local practicing urban farmers will share their real-world experiences and lessons learned following some lectures.

What topics are covered?*

Business plan basics
Compost and media-based growing systems
Community development using urban agriculture
Composting
Cover crops
Designing a vision and mission
Emerging specialty crops
Farm finances for beginning farmers
Farm law basics
Food safety
Grants and other resources for urban farms
Harvest and post-harvest handling
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Introduction to urban agriculture
Irrigation
Planning, scheduling, and recordkeeping for market gardens
Tools and equipment
Transplant production
Season extension and protected culture growing
Site selection
Small farm marketing
Urban soils
Weed management

*Note: All topics may not be covered in depth every session. We do not cover aqua culture and hydroponics.

Questions?

The 2024 program is scheduled for 12 weeks from September 23 to December 9. It is delivered virtually, Mondays from 6 to 8 pm on Zoom. An optional field day is scheduled for Saturday September 28, 2024 from roughly 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (time subject to change). The cost for the 2023 training was $150. 2024 fees will be similar and due at registration.

Applications for the 2024 cohort are now live through August 5, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Batka at phone 217-300-8636.

Please sign up for our mailing list to stay updated about our urban agriculture programming and to receive our quarterly newsletter, The Urban Ag Connect.