FAQs
What might I expect as a participant at The Berry Center Farm & Forest Institute?
The Berry Center Farm and Forest Institute holds field days, workshops, short courses, and long courses throughout the calendar year. These offerings, which may be as short as 2 hours and as long as a 5-day intensives, are hosted primarily at The Berry Center’s 200-acre farm and / or at other area farms and woodlands. The “classroom” may be a barn, an outbuilding or shop, fields, woodlands, or a conventional indoor classroom space. There are some important specifics about the classroom conditions and the nature of our course offerings that are detailed here. Note that these conditions are not for everyone. Click here for a printable version of this Informed Participant Document.
1) The program happens primarily outdoors. Courses will take place in all seasons and in a range of temperatures. Generally, in the event of rain or snow or other extreme weather conditions, alternate dates will be provided. 2) The course offerings often involve bodily labor and activity in a variety of settings, possibly including the use of machines and equipment (including but not limited to tractors, chainsaws, axes, carving tools), and possibly including farm animals (including but not limited to horses, mules, oxen, sheep, dogs). 3)Each field day, workshop, and course has been carefully curated and planned in keeping with the mission of The Berry Center and in conjunction with the initiatives of The Berry Center. The offerings are influenced by and formed around the work and writing of Wendell Berry and other agrarian writers and thinkers who inform The Berry Center’s objectives. 4) Our field days, workshops, and courses are shaped with farmers and farming communities in mind. 5)Wendell Berry is not an instructor at The Berry Center Farm and Forest Institute. No field day, workshop, short course, or long course takes place at or near Mr. Berry’s home place. 6) Participant numbers will be limited to an appropriate group size for each workshop or course and will be noted in the description. This limit allows for optimal learning and safety.
Do I have to be a farmer or woodland owner or have farming and woodland experience to apply?
You do not have to be a farmer or woodland owner to participate. The Berry Center Farm & Forest Institute’s continuing and community education courses, field days, and workshops in Henry County, Kentucky, are primarily designed for:
early career and experienced farmers
woodland owners and forestry professionals
rural leaders, especially those interested in cooperative farming economics
residents who support the cultures of agriculture
The Agrarian Voices Series courses and humanities field days provides learning opportunities for agrarians who farm as well as for agrarians who do not farm, that is, people who ascribe to Wendell Berry’s belief in agrarianism as a “way of thought based on land.” (From “The Whole Horse” essay published in The Art of the Commonplace: The Agrarian Essays of Wendell Berry, edited by Norman Wirzba )
Can I earn a college degree through the Farm & Forest Institute?
No. The Farm & Forest Institute is not a degree-completion program.
With nearly all farmers in the U.S relying on both farming and off-farm income to make ends meet, uncertainty looms for those looking at full-time education as an option—how might they manage workloads while upholding their traditional livelihood? We want our participants to have a more tailored experience with greater freedom to manage coursework and to be able to use what is learned practically on their own farms right away.
As a community education model, we offer local farmers with accessible education opportunities. We took our well-established program model and tailored it for for those who couldn't dedicate their lives entirely or already possessed a Bachelor's degree, allowing them greater access than ever before. With these changes, we can now ensure that no one is left behind when gaining this invaluable knowledge!
How many courses are there? And do I have to take all of the courses to participate?
Beginning in the Fall of 2023, The Berry Center Farm & Forest Institute will offer a series of field days, workshops, and short courses at The Berry Center’s 200-acre farm and forest. While the slate of offerings contains content that is linked, participants can take as many or as few offerings as needed or desired.
How much does it cost to participate?
The Berry Center Farm & Forest Institute is committed to educating farmers in a way that does not hinder access. Prices vary based on the type of course (workshop, short course, long course, etc.) and necessary materials or equipment.
Will I meet Wendell Berry, and is he one of the instructors?
Wendell Berry is not an instructor at the Institute. Through his writing, Wendell Berry is continuing to inspire a new generation of young farmers and environmentalists. In the past, he has engaged with program participants from time to time and was able to provide valuable insight into sustainable farming practices; it remains uncertain when or if such an opportunity will arise again.
Will I learn how to grow fruits and vegetables for market gardening?
The Berry Center Farm & Forest Institute covers a wide range of topics to equip learners with the skills needed for ecology-based agricultural practices. While these techniques are flexible enough to be applied in various settings, such as market gardening and vegetable growing, there are no specific courses focused on those particular pursuits. Rather, courses use The Berry Center’s 200-acre Our Home Place Meat cattle farm and its mixed-use forest for demonstration and learning. Faculty and staff will facilitate field days and trials that address farmers’ concerns about livestock genetics and health, pasture and forest management, and economic diversification and stability.
Is it necessary that I live in Henry County, Kentucky to participate in the various offerings?
All of the offerings —workshops, field days, and short courses— will take place in Henry County. However, participants can make their way to Henry County for the day or long weekend without having to relocate away from their home places.
Is housing provided for out-of-town participants?
Housing is not provided on-site as we are not a residential program. We have curated a list of Lodging Options for folks visiting us from further afield.