The School of the New American Farmstead offers leading-edge short courses that inspire lifelong environmental stewardship for residential and non-residential adult students of all ages.

We provide a variety of workshops, classes, and certifications that will inspire you, equip you with marketable skills, and provide you with new perspectives on integrated, community-centered farming and food production.

 

Our hands-on courses will require you to roll up your sleeves and dig in. The School of the New American Farmstead’s experiential approach will engage all of your senses and impart techniques perfected by some of the world’s most skilled ecological farmers and craft-food producers.

 
Logo for the School of the New American Farmstead, outline of a sheep with a Vermont farm scene inside

Give your passion for food and farming the time and space it deserves. Explore a lifestyle or career that feeds your body, mind, and soul. Learn to replenish the land, relish its bounty, and revive time-tested rural arts.

The School of the New American Farmstead at Sterling College is waiting for you, see upcoming course offerings below.

 

Scholarships available!

If you are a Veteran, are of Abenaki heritage, or identify as low-income you qualify for a SNAF scholarship

Apply Here

Check out the 2019 Class Schedule!

Whether you are interested in fermentation, mushroom cultivation, entrepreneurship, biointegrated farm design, cheesemaking, craft beverages, or traditional crafts for a regenerative future, the School of the New American Farmstead offers unparalleled experiential education opportunities set in the natural beauty of the Northeast Kingdom— a destination for families and individuals in search of a region that specializes in food, farming, and fitness.

Students completing these course are awarded continuing education units (CEUs), included as part of the course cost.  Students desiring undergraduate academic credit pay an additional tuition fee and fulfill additional academic requirements. If you have any questions about when a course is being offered, how to register, or the process for receiving undergraduate credit, please contact us.

Title Course ID Credits Start Term Faculty
Strategies for Social & Environmental Justice: Insights from India N/A May 5th, 2019 Vandana Shiva & Neha Singh
Natural Cheesemaking: Raw Milk Cheeses TBD 2 ceu May 6-10, 2019 David Asher
Natural Cheesemaking: Specialty Goat & Sheep Cheeses AS270/CE223 2 ceu May 13-17, 2019 David Asher
Empowered Bread, Pies & Pastries TBD 2 ceu May 27-31, 2019 Tara Jensen
Armed to Farm: Sustainable Agriculture Training for Military Veterans N/A N/A June 10-14, 2019
International Food Study Tour for Dietitians at Brunnenburg Castle 45 CPE June 30-July 7 Philip Ackerman-Leist, Sharon Palmer
The Art of Fermentation (ST) INT270/CE233 2 ceu June 24-28, 2019 Sandor Katz
Nose-To-Tail Butchering & Cookery TBD 2 ceu July 8-12, 2019 Lily Joslin
Artisan Breadmaking & Heritage Grains INT270/CE228 2 ceu July 22-26, 2019 Richard Miscovich
From the Wildcrafter's Basket to the Chef's Table: The Ethics and Tastes of the Wild TBD 2 ceu July 29-August 2, 2019 Nova Kim & Les Hook
Regenerative Design: Building Community Resilience from the Ground Up TBD 2 ceu August 5-9, 2019 Shelly Pottorf
Ecological Orcharding AS270/CE210 2 ceu August 12-16, 2019 Michael Phillips
Blacksmithing Essentials for the Beginner INT270/CE216 1 ceu August 26-30, 2019 Lucian Avery
Blacksmithing Skills: Carving Knife INT270/CE216A September 2-6, 2019 Lucian Avery

Apply for a Scholarship!

If you are a Veteran, are of Abenaki heritage, or identify as low-income you qualify for a SNAF scholarship

Apply Here

 

 

SNAF Class
Bread from SNAF Class
Mushroom Class
Alex heats the metal to make it workable

CGP-final-logo_LARGE-COLOR-300x198The School of the New American Farmstead at Sterling College is generously underwritten by two great Vermont businesses: Chelsea Green Publishing, the preeminent publisher of books on the politics and practice of sustainable living, and Vermont Creamery, an award winning creamery offering fresh and aged goat cheeses, cultured butter, and créme fraîche that combine the European tradition of cheesemaking with Vermont’s terroir. Both Chelsea Green and Vermont Creamery are partner businesses that share a deep commitment to the environmental stewardship mission of Sterling College.

Want to earn a Certificate in Sustainable Food Craft?

Earn 16 ceu credits in one intensive summer or over time!

Learn More!

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The School of the New American Farmstead at Sterling College can accept funds from the following sources to be applied towards SNAF courses for Continuing Education students:
  • Americorp
  • VA Benefits
  • VSAC Non-degree Grants
  • 529 Education Plan
 We look forward to seeing you here on Craftsbury Common!
Dig In!

Eric Dube ’13: Dube & Robinson Cider

—by Jess Clarke Inspired by Sterling’s cutting-edge environmental stewardship playbook, Eric Dube’s ’13 experience at Sterling planted the seed for his successful company, Dube & Robinson Cider. Now Dube is planting…

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The Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems Team

The Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems is one of the finest farm facilities at any small college in the United States. The RFC wouldn’t be where it…

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Sterling College Launches School of the New American Farmstead

Renowned visiting instructors for short courses include David Asher, Andrea Chesman, Pete Colman, Sandor Katz January 19, 2016 • Craftsbury Common, VT • Sterling College has launched the School of…

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