Neighbourhood Farmer Training Registration

Program Status (2026 Season)

The Neighbourhood Farmer Training Program is currently underway for the 2026 season.
Our first cohort is actively participating in the full-time training program at Chorus Frog Organic Gardens on Salt Spring Island.

Applications for the 2027 intake will open in November 2026.

If you’re interested in applying next year or would like to be notified when registration opens, please contact us at:
nfp.saltspring@gmail.com

Why Join

The Neighbourhood Farmer Training is an immersive, community-rooted program that prepares capable growers to step confidently into a farm management role on one of the neighborhood farms. This is done through hands-on training, mentorship, and real connections with the island’s food network.

The program combines hands-on training, mentorship, and direct integration into Salt Spring Island’s local food system. Participants move from intensive training into managing their own neighbourhood-based farm sites in partnership with local landholders and community members.

By the end of the first phase, you’ll not only be ready to manage your own farm, you’ll also be matched with land on Salt Spring through our established partnerships with local landholders who are eager to welcome new Neighbourhood Farmers. Your first growing season on your own site begins in year two of the program.

At the heart of this initiative is the Neighbourhood Farm, which is a partnership between farmers and neighbours working together to grow, share, and process food within their community.

Who Should Apply

Participants in the Neighbourhood Farmer Training are growers who:

Are willing to relocate to Salt Spring Island, or are already residents.
Have a strong interest in local, organic food production.
Have completed one or more farming related courses (e.g. vegetable production, soil science, agroecology, pest management, etc).
Have one or more years of experience growing vegetables at scale.
Are comfortable multitasking, managing volunteers or workers, and communicating with a range of people, including landholders, neighbours, peer growers, and community services staff.
Are comfortable working in an outdoor setting in all weather and conditions.
Are physically fit and able to lift 40-50lbs.
Are dedicated to building the local food system and are ready to make a multi-year commitment to growing food for the community.

Program Fees

This fee covers all educational program costs, including hands-on mentorship, shared infrastructure, and evening classes.

Tuition Fee: $5,500 (plus 5% GST)

Deposit: $500 (plus 5% GST) due upon acceptance (applied toward total fees)

This fee covers:

Six months of full-time instruction and experiential learning (April - September 2026)
Continued mentorship and guidance for 12 additional months (October 2026 - October 2027) as you transition into managing your own Neighbourhood Farm

Accommodation Options:

Live-in Participants: $600/month (Covers three meals per day and lodging in fully serviced shared rooms with shared bathroom and kitchen)
Salt Spring Residents: $150/month (Covers five meals per week at the training centre)

Buddy Registration Option:

We can offer a reduced rate for participants registering with a spouse, family member, or close farming partner. Both individuals share a single Neighbourhood Farm site under this option. If you wish to register with a partner, please indicate this clearly in your application.

Introductory Interview

Between November and February, we’ll invite you for an in-person or online interview. It’s a chance for us to learn more about each other and ensure the program and potential participants are a good fit.

Acceptance & Payments

Only 8 spots available. Applications close February 22nd, 2026.
$500 non-refundable deposit (plus 5% GST) due upon acceptance
Remaining fees due mid-April 2026

Have Questions?

Read the Neighbourhood Farmer Training FAQ for additional details about the training experience, daily schedule, and what to expect while living and farming on Salt Spring Island. Or email us at nfp.saltspring@gmail.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you’ll find answers to common questions about the training, accommodations, and life on Salt Spring.

Program Overview

Q: What kind of program is the Neighbourhood Farmer Training?

A: The Neighbourhood Farmer Training is a comprehensive, hands-on educational experience developed in collaboration with local and regional partners. It combines intensive on-farm training with a supported transition into farm management within the Neighbourhood Farm Program model.

Participants take part in full-time instruction during the initial training phase and then move into managing their own farm sites with continued mentorship and peer support.

Eligibility & Application

Q: Who is this program meant for, and what are the prerequisites?

A: The program is designed for experienced growers who want to take the next step toward managing a small-scale organic farm and becoming part of Salt Spring’s local food network. Participants in this program are preparing to establish and operate a Neighbourhood Farm, which is a community-based model where farmers grow food for nearby households in a reciprocal relationship. Neighbours support the farm financially or through labour, and in return receive a share of the harvest. For details on participant qualifications and experience requirements, please see the Who Should Apply section above.

Fees & Lodging

Q: How much is the tuition, and what does it cover?

A: Tuition is $5,500 + GST. It includes six months of full-time training (April–September 2026) and 12 months of continued mentorship as you establish your own neighbourhood farm. See the Program Fees section above for full details and accommodation options

Q: What is the Buddy Registration Option?

A: Pairs such as spouses, family members, or close farming partners can share growing on a single Neighbourhood Farm site under a reduced-fee rate. See Program Fees for details.

Q: Are meals and lodging included?

A: Yes. See Accommodation Options above.

Academic & Administrative Details

Q: Do you accept international applications?

A: International participants are welcome if they are legally permitted to stay and work in British Columbia during the program period and can relocate to Salt Spring Island by April 1, 2026. Because this is a non-credited extension program, student visas are not available for participation.

Q: What academic recognition will I receive?

A: Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion for the Neighbourhood Farmer Training, issued by the Institute for Sustainable Food Systems at KPU. This certificate is non-credit and cannot be transferred toward formal academic degrees.

Learning Experience

Q: What does a typical week look like?

Monday / Wednesday / Friday - at the Training Centre (9am - 4pm)

Morning: Farm work (seeding, planting, harvesting)
Midday: Lunch
Afternoon: Farm work
Late Afternoon: Wrap-up and debrief

Tuesday / Thursday - at neighbourhood sites + evenings

Morning: Site work and project rotations
Afternoon: Independent time
Evening: Dinner and study sessions

Q: What equipment is provided, and what do I need to bring?

A: The program supplies all necessary farm tools and equipment. Participants are responsible for personal gear such as work clothing, boots, and other essentials. A recommended gear list is shared in advance of the season.

Q: What if I miss a session?

A: Attendance is important due to the hands-on nature of the program. Participants are expected to attend the majority of sessions and coordinate with instructors if time is missed.

Q: Are there assignments or homework?

A: There are no formal tests or required assignments. However, participants are expected to dedicate time to planning their future Neighbourhood Farm and may be given optional materials to deepen learning.

Q: Will we have time to work on our new Neighbourhood Farm sites during the program?

A: Yes. Time is built into the training schedule for work on future Neighbourhood Farm sites. After the main training phase, participants take on increasing responsibility for their own sites.

Q: How do you measure program success?

A: The program focuses on practical readiness. Participants develop skills in farm management, crop production, site planning, and community collaboration, with the goal of successfully operating a Neighbourhood Farm.

Participation & Site Policies

Q: How are meals prepared and delivered at the training centre?

A: Meals are prepared by participants using farm-grown produce and shared staples.

Q: Can friends or family help out at the farm?

A: Visitors may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis. Regular volunteers are required to complete appropriate forms and follow program guidelines.

Q: Can I bring children during program hours?

A: No. For safety reasons, children cannot be present during scheduled program hours.

Q: Can I bring pets to the Training Centre?

A: Generally no, though exceptions may be considered in specific cases.