How it Works
Farmers’ Field Schools are a unique form of education that doesn’t just centre around growing more food, but seeks to create change in the lives of farmer members, their families and wider communities.
How it works
- A Field School is made up of a family of around 36 farmers and works in partnership with a local church
- A Field School needs £7K per year for 2 years. This will cover:
- Technical field and administration staff
- Learning materials and logistical support
- A starter kit of seeds for the farmers
How we learn in a Field School
- A Field School meets weekly for two years on a shared demonstration plot of land provided by the local church.
- Each session begins with a time of Bible study learning about Kingdom Life.
- A facilitator is assigned to help members apply their farming learning to the demo plot and then their own land. The facilitator is a Field School graduate and trained to help people find the answers in the field.
- The first year is intensive learning about a wide range of topics – different crops and growing techniques, Godly ways of living and working, conservation techniques, home-based health care – the list is extensive!
- Members also teach their neighbours, either one on one or at Demonstration Days, to spread good farming knowledge and show how God can change your farm and your family!
- The second year is the chance for Field Schools to refine what they do on their plots and to become top farmers and generous community members by helping others in some way, e.g. by teaching orphan children how to grow food on their farms
- Many Field Schools go on after graduation to form Community recognised groups, and grow food co-operatively together on their rented plots.