Next Generation Scholarship Fund

Geographic Scope: United States

Focus Areas: Training the next generation of organic and regenerative farmers

Program Description: The Next Generation Scholarship Fund provides comprehensive support to interns pursuing organic agriculture education and training. Scholars receive housing, food from the farm, a comprehensive educational experience, and a weekly stipend.

Background: Rodale Institute created this fund in response to the critical shortage of farmers in America. Nearly one-third of farmers are past retirement age, and 93 million acres of farmland are poised to change hands within five years.

Training Pathways Supported:

• Veteran Farmer Training: Flexible 2-4 month program for military veterans transitioning to organic agriculture careers
• Agriculture Supported Communities (ASC) internship: Training in managing small-scale, CSA-style vegetable operations serving underserved populations
• St. Luke's-Rodale Institute Farm-to-Hospital internship: Management of 11 acres providing organic produce to seven hospitals in the St. Luke's Health Network
• Organic Farming Program Certificate: 36-credit, one-year accredited certificate program offered through Delaware Valley University partnership
• Research internship: Side-by-side work with research department investigating best practices for pest/disease mitigation, erosion reduction, nutrient efficiency, and biodiversity
• Plant production internship: Training in fundamental organic plant cultivation and garden maintenance
• Livestock internship: Training in care and management of hogs, sheep, goats, chickens, turkeys, donkeys, and other livestock

Corporate Sponsors: Initial sponsors include Wedderspoon (Manuka Honey brand) and Prairie Organic Spirits (which committed 1% of sales to support 10 scholarships annually through its "Spirit of Change Fund")