Tilth Alliance Sustainable Farming Education Program (SFEP) Application for Admission 2018 Program Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The following items are required to complete the application: Completed Application Form Two References Three Personal Essays Signed Declaration
About the Sustainable Farming Education Program (SFEP) The Sustainable Farming Eductaion Program (SFEP) is an education and farm business program for aspiring farmers in the Seattle-Tacoma region. Participants gain hands-on experience growing and harvesting food using sustainable practices, receive business training, and tour neighboring farm operations. Through SFEP, participants are empowered and expected to create farm business plans to ensure their success as small farm business operators. Graduates will also continue to receive support related to land access and marketing in addition to opportunities for continuing education. This program is supported in part by funding from the USDA's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). BFRDP provides new and aspiring farmers and ranchers access to education, information, and assets they need to be successful. *Note for our 2018 Season Tilth Alliance is ending our lease at Red Barn Ranch in Auburn, the site that has hosted this programming since its inception. While we will no longer farm on this site, the program, will continue to provide farming education and business support to beginning farmers in the Seattle-Tacoma region. The tentative schedule for the 2018 Sustainable Farming Education Program is: 9 month program: February October o February-May: Classes one weekday evening each week o June-October:! Farm Visits/Work Days 2 Saturdays/month: 9-3 pm! Class one weekday evening/month, 6:00-8:30 pm More information will be available during individual interviews that will take place within two weeks of receiving applications. Sustainable Farming Education Program 2018 Application Page 1
Application for Admission Sustainable Farming Eductaion Program PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: Date of Birth: Permanent Address: (Street) (City) (State) (Zip) Phone Number(s): Email Address: How did you hear about this program? Have you had any criminal convictions (excluding minor traffic violations)? If so, please explain: DISABILITY or MEDICAL CONDITION Please describe any disability or medical condition you have and indicate any adaptations or specific support/facilities you may need: Please describe any personal or religious considerations you would like us to know about: (this includes translation assistance, dietary restrictions, religious holidays and/or social customs) Sustainable Farming Education Program 2018 Application Page 2
REFERENCES Please provide contact information for someone willing to provide a personal reference and another person willing to provide a professional reference. Referees should be able to speak specifically to your ability for self-direction and any experience you may have in the classroom, in business, or on the farm. Personal Reference: Name: Phone: ( ) Email: Relationship to Applicant: Professional Reference: Name: Title: Phone: ( ) Email: EXPERIENCE 1. Please describe your educational background including schools and trainings you have attended. 2. Please describe any relevant work, volunteer, or farm experience. Sustainable Farming Education Program 2018 Application Page 3
PERSONAL ESSAYS Please consider your response carefully and limit your response for each question to 400 words. If you need more space, please feel free to attach separate sheets of paper. 1. Managing a farm requires a great deal of time, hard work and patience. How are you prepared to succeed in this program? What personal and professional goals will this program help you achieve? 2. Operating a farm is full of surprises. Do you have experience running a business? What challenges do you anticipate encountering while running your farm business? How will you work to overcome those challenges? 3. It takes time for any business to become profitable. It is critical that participants have additional means of support. If you are accepted into the program, what kind of personal and financial support systems will you have in place? Sustainable Farming Education Program 2018 Application Page 4
SKILLS ASSESSMENT Please complete the skills assessment below. Indicate both level of experience and level of interest. Planting Experienced Some Experience None Interested Some Interest Not Interested Crop Selection Weed / Pest Management Harvesting Produce packing Organic Practices / Certification Tractor Operation/Mainten ance Irrigation Animal Husbandry Product/Produce Marketing/Sales Record Keeping Business Planning Accounting Sustainable Farming Education Program 2018 Application Page 5
DECLARATION In applying for participation in the 2018 Sustainable Farming Education Program, I confirm that the information I have provided in this application is accurate and complete. I also understand that I am electing to participate in this program at my own risk. I acknowledge there are certain risks inherent in farm work, including, but not limited to, physical injury and death. I acknowledge that all risks cannot be prevented and I assume responsibility for those beyond the control of Tilth Alliance staff. I represent that I am physically able, with or without accommodation, to participate in all aspects of this program, and, if necessary that I am able to use the equipment and/or supplies required in programmatic work. Should I require emergency medical treatment as a result of accident or illness arising during the program, I consent to such treatment. I acknowledge that Tilth Alliance does not provide health and accident insurance for its participants and I agree to be financially responsible for any medical bills incurred as a result of emergency medical treatment. I also understand Tilth Alliance may film, photograph and interview participants during the course of the program. I understand that all video, photographic, audio, written and other materials produced by Tilth Alliance will be the sole property of Tilth Alliance and may be made available by Tilth Alliance to third parties on its website, in its publications or through other media, as it may determine. I understand that Tilth Alliance will protect my personal information as required by applicable law. Tilth Alliance prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. Applicant s Printed Name: Applicant s Signature: Date: Sustainable Farming Education Program 2018 Application Page 6
NEXT STEPS Please email your completed application to rachelschindler@tilthalliance.org or mail it to: Tilth Alliance Attn: Rachel Schindler 17601 SE Lake Moneysmith Rd Auburn, WA 98092 If you are interested in touring the farm to get a better feel for the program, or speaking with current participants, please contact Rachel Schindler. Candidates who are recommended for advancement will be interviewed by Tilth Alliance staff. If accepted, candidates will be invited to attend a 2018 Seattle Tilth Farm Works orientation where they will receive more in-depth program information. Sustainable Farming Education Program 2018 Application Page 7