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!
Triform Camphill Community, in Hudson, New York, is a residential community for young adults with developmental disabilities. It includes a dynamic mix of over 110 people spanning many generations, cultures and ranges of ability. Forty young adults with social, mental, physical and emotional disabilities, live and work side-by-side with full time volunteer resident staff and the staff’s families on a 500+ acre biodynamic/organic farm in beautiful Columbia County, NY. Triform is a model of care where young men and women with Autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental and neurological disabilities participate in dignified, purposeful work, share in warm, supportive relationships and make meaningful contributions to the well-being of everyone in the Triform community. Triform is changing the way we understand and appreciate the capabilities of people with special needs.
Triform is a forerunner and model in the disabilities field, where the ideals of inclusion and the development of individual potential are in the forefront. Triform’s programs promote confidence, self-worth, independence and achievement on many levels. The Triform special needs community offers an enriching social, intellectual and cultural life for its students, and year-round vocational opportunities in organic and biodynamic farm and gardening. Triform is among a select group of farms in the US certified by Demeter, which is regarded as the highest level of organic farming certification in the world.
Size of farm: Triform is 430 acres, which includes a diverse garden, many acres of forest and three farms working closely together.
Diversity of production: Two acres of mixed vegetables, flowers, herbs, berries and fruit, as well as 30 dairy cows, 20 steers, 20 pigs and 12 ewes plus lambs.
Skills that can be learned: See Triform's Skills Checklist
Apprenticeship details: Apprentices are housed in one of our community houses, help with social and physical care of our special 
companions, as well as with domestic chores and some meal preparation. They take full part in the farm life and are given opportunities to focus on gardening, animal husbandry or both. Apprentices are expected to join in 2 to 3 early morning milkings or harvesting. Official work hours are 9 am to noon and 2:30 to 5:30 pm, but may sometimes be extended beyond those hours.
Each apprentice has a full day off, is provided with a small stipend, full room and board, and access to a car.
Mentor Farmers: Martin Gitt, Ben Davis and Max Von Stein
Address: 20 Triform Rd, Hudson, NY 12534
Phone: 518-567-4242 Email: etienne@triform.org
Website: www.triform.org