MANRA/MANRRS at Penn State University fosters and promotes the agricultural sciences and related fields in a positive manner among multicultural groups. Its members initiate and participate in activities and programs that will ensure ethnic minority involvement in agricultural sciences and careers.
The 36-credit, one-year Organic Farming Certificate Program was established in 2012 and includes two semesters at Delaware Valley University and one semester at the Rodale Institute. Students graduate with the knowledge and experience necessary to start a small-scale organic farm or work for an organic operation. The program offers assistance with job placement and developing business plans for farms so that graduates can easily move into organic agriculture careers.
The Organic Farming Certification Program is open to all students but has been particularly popular with military veterans looking to transition into civilian careers. DelVal is a Yellow Ribbon Program school, and veterans can use their G.I. Bill benefits for the program.
OFRF’s Organic Research Hub is a curated collection of scientific and technical resources to help organic farmers understand and solve their production challenges.
The Pennsylvania Agriculture Conservation Stewardship (PACS) program is a certification for farms that go above and beyond basic environmental requirements. This certification was created to recognize and reward farmers who are the best stewards of their land.
Pasa’s Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship is a formal apprenticeship program registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. It pairs beginning farmers with established host farmers to provide a guided pathway toward managing or starting a vegetable farm. The program operates in Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.
Pasa’s Diversified Vegetable Pre-Apprenticeship provides introductory hands-on training for people who want to explore sustainable farming as a career but have little to no prior farming experience. The curriculum is based on the core duties, skills, and qualifications for Pasa’s two-season vegetable farming apprenticeship program (Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship) to offer a seamless transition into more extensive farmer training. The pre-apprenticeship is hosted by local partner organizations with established farmer training programs focused on teaching sustainable growing practices. Like their Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship, this program is registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
Through the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship, Pasa Sustainable Agriculture administers Pennsylvania’s regional two-year program that pairs beginning farmers with mentors—known as mentor graziers—to provide a guided pathway toward managing or starting a pastured dairy farm. Using a model of education that has prepared skilled workers in the trades for generations, Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship combines paid, on-the-job training with related technical coursework. The program also serves to strengthen the economic and environmental well-being of farming communities. Host farmers and apprentices become part of an engaged peer learning network of dairy graziers in their region, who collaborate to improve their grazing management strategies and business models.
Pasa Sustainable Agriculture partners with Pennsylvania Grazing Lands Coalition to administer their Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship. It is designed to provide the beginning graziers with an experienced grazing partner who can help provide insight, support, and access to grazing information and farm-related resources. Grazing mentors are paid a flat, annual fee for their work under the terms of the PA Grazing Lands Coalition Mentorship Agreement. New and beginning graziers of all species are welcome to apply to this program.
Visit Pasa’s resource library for content on peer-to-peer learning for aspiring, beginning, and experienced farmers, including resources on organic agriculture.
With both short-term and long-term training opportunities available, you can launch or refine a career in organic agriculture with education from the Rodale Institute.