Farmer Programs Scholarship Application

This application form is for applicants in the Farm Beginnings®, Journeyperson, and Mentor Services programs.

Note: Fill this out only after you’ve applied to the program.

2022-2023 Farmer Programs Scholarship Application

Organic Growers School aims to create affordable, broadly accessible programs, while at the same time, providing fair wages to our farmer instructors and dedicated staff. Financial Aid for Farmer Programs is limited and priority is given to those with the least financial resources and Black, Indigenous and Farmers of Color. Please consider your needs and resources carefully. We encourage you to consider a Payment Plan as your first option toward financial support. If requesting funding from OGS is necessary, we ask you to consider what would be a stretch, but not a strain, for you to invest in your education and professional development.

The guidelines that will be used to assess applicants are as follows:
- Financial need
- Passion and capacity for farming
- Ability and willingness to give back to program
- Understanding of the value of this farmer training education
If you are applying with a farm partner and share residence and finances, both parties' financial information needs to be considered and shared. Awards will be given out as requests are received.
Applicant's Name:*
First Last
What are your pronouns?*
- He/him/his
- She/her/hers
- They/them/theirs
What is this and why are we asking?
Will a family member or business partner participate in this program with you?*
- Yes
- No
Partner's Name:*

Please note each partner must complete this application.
Primary Applicant's Name:*

Please identify a PRIMARY and a PARTNER applicant within your group. Our initial correspondence will only be with the PRIMARY applicant. Provide their name here.
Partner's Email:
Farm Name (if applicable):
Mailing Address:*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
County
Applicant's Email:*
Preferred phone number for us to contact you:*
With which category do you most identify?*
- Female
- Male
- Non-binary/third gender
- Prefer not to say
How do you describe yourself?*
- Select All
- American Indian/Native American/Native Alaskan Asian
- Black/African American
- LatinX/Hispanic
- White/Caucasian
- Multiracial
- Prefer not to say
- Other
Check all that apply.
Please elaborate:
What is your age?*
- 18-29
- 30-39
- 40-49
- 50-59
- 60+
Are you a veteran?*
- Yes
- No
Do you currently owe student loans?*
- Yes
- No
How do you see farmer training as crucial to your success as a farmer?*
Are you willing to do a work trade for part of your tuition (limited to $200)? This entails committing to agreed upon tasks to assist OGS, such as online support during class, help with room set-up and clean-up during in person events, OGS marketing tasks for events as needed, etc. This option ONLY applies to Farm Beginnings students.*
- Yes
- No
- N/A - I am applying for Journeyperson or Mentor Services
If so, Please list what special skills or expertise you have that OGS could potentially utilize.
What is the minimum amount of scholarship you would need to participate? We do not give full scholarships.*
- $250
- $500
- $900
- $1300
- $1700
- $2100
What is the ideal amount of scholarship you would need to participate? We do not give full scholarships.*
- $500
- $900
- $1300
- $1700
- $2100
What is the maximum you can contribute towards your tuition? We do not give full scholarships.*
- $500
- $900
- $1300
- $1700
- $2100
Statement of Need*
Accepted file types: doc, docx, pdf, jpg, Max. file size: 1,000 MB.
Please upload a statement of need, limited to 1.5 pages. Keep in mind only partial scholarships are given. Your statement should address:
1. Financial need: Please indicate personally why you need financial support
2. Your passion and capacity for farming: This is also included in our main application, but please be as specific as possible.
3. Your ability and willingness to give back to program: In the future, by hosting farm visits, teaching classes or workshops, or volunteering at OGS events.
Thanks for your application. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact Nicole at nicole@organicgrowersschool.org
Email
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

For questions, please contact our Director of Programs & Human Resources, Nicole DelCogliano, at nicole@organicgrowersschool.org

OGS Farmer Programs are made possible by our farmer network and our funding partners: Blooming Prairie Foundation, Community Foundation of WNC, CLIF Bar Family Foundation, Cornell Douglas Foundation, Harry Chapin Foundation, New Visions Foundation, Patagonia, Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, UNFI Foundation, Walnut Cove Members Association, WNC Bridge Foundation, and USDA-NIFA Beginning Farmer and Rancher Award #2021-70033-35717. Our Growth Partners (year-round program support) are: Carolina Farm Credit, Buchi, Living Web Farms, and Gaia Herbs. Our Media Sponsors are WNCW, Asheville FM and Blue Ridge Public Radio.