Beginning Farmers Core Curriculum & Hands-On Workshops

Are you interested in growing and selling vegetables but don´t know where to start? Denver Botanic Gardens and Colorado State University Extension partner to deliver a certificate program that introduces the ins and outs of becoming a successful market farmer on five acres or less.

Attend three Core Curriculum lectures that cover everything from planning your farm to selling at market. Then, apply what you have learned in the classroom through four Hands-On Workshops on working farms.

Lectures take place on Wednesday evenings from 4-7 p.m. Workshops take place on Saturdays from 10 a.m. 3 p.m. 

Register for Core Curriculum & Hands-On Workshops

2023 Program Overview

Core Curriculum Lectures

Introduction and Plant Sciences 
Soils and Crop Planning 
Insects and Pathogens

Field Workshops

Soils   
Harvest and Food Safety   
Greenhouse and Seed Starting 
Tools and Irrigation

Price: $375, public 

To earn the certificate:

• Attend all three of the Core Curriculum Lectures 
• Attend and participate in a minimum of three (3) out of four (4) Field Workshops 

  
The 2023 course lineup is a truncated version of our normal programming; we will still cover all topics but the sessions will be a bit longer with fewer meeting dates. The price has been adjusted accordingly. 
  
In addition, staff from our program can help you find hands-on experiences at local farms. This may take the form of a regular volunteer shift, an internship or an apprenticeship. If you have your own farm already up and running, the Gardens or CSU Extension staff can work with you during the growing season on any issues or questions that arise.