Specialty Crop

Students enrolled in CWC’s Regenerative Small Scale Farming program develop skills needed to successfully operate a small, diversified fruit and vegetable farm. Focusing on environmentally sound crop production practices, business skills, economic viability, and social responsibility, the program prepares students to run their own farm business or be employed in a variety of positions focusing on soil health, horticulture, and food security.

Students get hands-on experience growing and processing cool- and warm-season vegetables and cut flowers at CWC’s Alpine Science Institute Student Farm and Produce Processing Facility (see listing below). The 1/2-acre plot includes one high tunnel, two geodesic dome greenhouses, and outdoor plots. Students in the program can also work toward an associate degree in applied science. Five students were enrolled in the program during the 2022–23 academic year.

“I have always been involved with production agriculture or education, but never both together. I wanted to find an opportunity that would put together all of my skills and experience in a way that could make a bigger difference in local food systems beyond production or backyard gardening,” says instructor Ethan Page.