Whichever path you choose—online or on the land—you’ll gain the knowledge, confidence, and community to help you grow.
🌐 ONLINE PROGRAM - Learn from Anywhere ✨NEW in 2026
- Get the same expert instruction, supportive community, and essential knowledge—delivered entirely online
- Duration: mid-March – early November, 2026
- Schedule: Tuesday evenings (6:30 pm -8:30 pm, PST)
- Total online program fee: $1,850 (plus 5% GST)
- Non-refundable deposit: $500 (plus 5% GST) - due upon acceptance to the program
📍In-Person 8-Month Farmer Training Program
The Richmond Farm School provides participants with over 200 hours of practical training! This program offers hands-on training supplemented with theoretical discussions on specific topics through weekly sessions over 8 months from March – October. Upon completion, participants will have the opportunity to apply to our Incubator program to start their farm business journey. The Richmond Farm School is a fully integrated, innovative, and experience-based program. Immerse yourself in Farm School and learn everything from soil health, plant life cycles, organic vegetable production, basic marketing and business principles, to ergonomic small-scale farming practices.
Who is this program meant for?
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener looking to take your skills to the next level, a novice farmer wanting to gain more knowledge, or have never planted a seed in your life, Richmond Farm School will take you through a full growing season, equipping you with the skills and confidence to pursue a career in regenerative agriculture. Applicants must be 18+ by the start of class. There are no prerequisites to apply.
Location:
KPU Teaching and Research Farm on the Garden City Lands in Richmond B.C
2026 Schedule:
Start date: Saturday, mid-March, 2026
End date: Saturday, early November, 2026
Exact dates to be confirmed closer to the program start date.
Day and time:
Saturdays from 9am to 5pm (subject to slight variation)
Program Specifics:
- 200+ hours of practical, on-the-farm training
- A safe and inclusive environment
- Participants may receive a personal plot that they will have the freedom to grow on and the responsibility to manage.
- Opportunity to access land as an incubator farmer
Program Learning Outline
- Market Crop Production - This will be the bulk of the program with a focus on hands-on training.
- On-Farm Construction
- Caring for the Soil
- Farm Business Planning
- Orchard Management
- Mechanics/machinery
- Managing Pests
- Fruit production
- Cut flower Production
- Indigenous Foodways
- Seed Saving
- Organic Certification process/ Land Access
*This program outline is tentative and subject to change
Program Fee
- The total program fee is $5,500 (plus 5% GST)
- A non-refundable $500 deposit (plus 5% GST) is due upon acceptance to the program
- The remaining $5,000 (plus 5% GST) can be paid in full or through an installment plan after the program begins.
- It is up to every participant to ensure they have appropriate clothing, including steel-toed shoes. All tools will be provided.
- Buddy Registration Option : we offer a single fee rate for participants registering with a spouse, family member, or close farming partner. Both individuals will share a single participant plot under this option. If you wish to register with a partner at the single fee rate, please clearly indicate this in your application.
Funding Support for Program Fee
- The Richmond Garden Club Award: The Richmond Garden Club is pleased to offer a $1,000 award to one participant registered in the Richmond Farm School program. Preference will be given to a resident of Richmond and the awardee needs to fulfill the eligibility of financial need.
- The BC Council of Garden Clubs Award: The BC Council of Garden Clubs is pleased to offer a $500 award to one participant registered in the Richmond Farm School program.
- Applicants will obtain more information about the award during our interview sessions.
Full Press Release - KPU Farm School participants recognized with Garden Club awards
Frequently Asked Questions
- We listed some frequently asked questions about the program. Click here to read the Farm School FAQs.
Incubator Program:
If you want to take the next step in pursuing a career in farming, KPU Richmond Farm School offers past participants who completed the first-year 8-month farmer training program the opportunity to apply for our second-year Incubator farming program! Upon the approval of your submitted business plan, incubator farmers will gain access to land, water use, tool and machinery sharing, and continued mentorship for up to 3 years.
You will be solely responsible for managing your own operation on your allocated plots, and for all aspects of planning, budgeting, implementation, growing, and selling of your produce.
You will also be joining an ever-growing community of diverse farmers, be provided with learning opportunities, workshops, receive continued mentorship and provide mentorship to new participants entering the program. More details: KPU Farm School Incubator Program
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