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 or get cooking. 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.

 

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
Organic Mushroom Farming & Mycoremediation TBD 2 ceu June 17-21, 2019 Tradd Cotter
The Art of Fermentation (ST) INT270/CE233 2 ceu June 24-28, 2019 Sandor Katz
Artisan Breadmaking & Heritage Grains INT270/CE228 2 ceu July 22-26, 2019 Richard Miscovich
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!

Want to keep up with us?

Join our mailing List:

 

 

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!

Sterling Offers Food Systems Summer Study Tour Special: Restoring the Ecosystem

The launch of the fresh Sterling College website reminds us of the school’s place in a global world—a world that is large and looming, joyful and full of potential (particularly…

View more

Orange-Gated Community

Cover photo by Alexandra Oles. Last week, London-based Whole Foods shopper Nathalie Gordon took note of a newfangled way to market oranges. She snapped and tweeted a photo of whole-but-peeled…

View more

The Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems

The Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past few months. On August 22, there was a celebration of the McCarthy…

View more