KPU Farm Schools consist of Tsawwassen First Nation and Richmond. Each offer a distinct 7-8 month program that provides students with a strong foundation in the principals and practices of regenerative farming. These programs focus on hands on, experiential learning alongside industry professionals, supported by classroom learning to prepare students for a career in the industry.
Which farm school is right for you?
Tsawwassen First Nation (established in 2015)
The Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School is a partnership between KPU and Tsawwassen First Nation and is an intensive immersion into high production farming within a diversity of topics and specialties. Our certified organic farm is both an educational and working farm that sells its products through various Vancouver Farmers Markets, restaurants and a 100+ member CSA produce box program.
Key aspects:
- 7 months, 3-4 days per week
- April through October
- 350 hours of field-based learning and 250 hours of classroom learning
- 20-acre site with - vegetable, livestock and perennial crop production and incubator plots
- Certified organic production farm selling vegetables, fruit, eggs and meat to the local community
- Medium-scale production (incorporates both mechanical and hand-scale techniques)
- Incorporates an Indigenous perspective to food systems
- Multiple 1/4-½ acre blocks are reserved for Incubator farmers after graduation
Richmond (established in 2010)
The Richmond Farm School is an educational and working farm that focuses on lean urban farming - small-scale, intensive, high value, and cost-effective crop production with minimal infrastructure and capital investment.
Key aspects:
- 8 months, 1 day per week March through October
- 250 hours of experiential field-based learning, supplemented with classroom learning
- 6-acre site showcasing small-scale, high value, intensive vegetable, herb and cut flower production
- Multiple 1/4 acre blocks are reserved for Incubator farmers after graduation
Visit the individual program pages for more information:
Tsawwassen First Nation Farm School