The 2026 Future Farmer Program just came to a close! We’re excited to welcome this year’s cohort to the 100+ strong alumni community and network of past program participants.
This year, 23 individuals committed a minimum of 10 weeks of their summer to learning hands-on how to farm organically. Future Farmers were mentored by dedicated WWOOF hosts who are eager to participate in a transfer of knowledge that can only happen on the farm; living and learning together.
In addition to spending 10+ weeks on farms around the country, Future Farmers met with each other weekly to engage in New Entry Sustainable Farming Project’s Crop Production Course, deepening their on farm experience with classroom presentations and discussion.
We’re proud to be a part of these farmers’ early steps towards becoming organic farmers, and hope WWOOF can continue to support them as the journey continues.
In 2026, Future Farmer Program participants:
- spent more than 5,750 engaged in on-farm projects and activities with their host farm mentors
- were awarded $57,500 in stipends to support their time and travels away from home
- visited 23 host farms spread across 15 states
Allyson spent 10 weeks living and learning at a Christian co-op farm in South Carolina. She participated in growing three market gardens & raising sheep, chickens, rabbits, and more.
“This program gives so many people access to an experience they never would have been able to have without the financial help. I’m honored to have been chosen to be a part of it. Truly grateful!”
Angela spent her summer WWOOFing at a 43 acre organic hillside farm in Vermont, producing culinary and medicinal herbs for the household, and food for local food shelf donations.
“I learned about soil health in class, including how wood chips don’t only serve to discourage weeds but also enrich the soil … The program made me more excited about organic farming due to an increase of knowledge. It showed me that I am cut out for crop farming so I will continue to pursue that.”
Chris lived on a family farm in Alabama this summer, with a focus on a vegan lifestyle, art and oneness as a means to get back to nature.
“This program helped make dreams tangible and practical. There’s literally nothing like hands on experience and mentorship in this field. It’s irreplaceable.”
Elise spent two and half months being mentored at a small community production farm in Washington state, supporting 16 households and food banks.
“I feel more confident in my skills and understand my own goals as it relates to farming as a way of life and income. I know my next steps more than I did at the beginning of the summer, and I know which areas I need to learn more about.”
Indy spent three months this past summer WWOOFing at a 50-year-old intentional community in the Missouri Ozarks.
“This program helped me understand the next steps in progressing to a point where I could have a farm to call my own.”
Karolina lived on an agro-ecological vegetable farm in Alaska this summer.
“We learned about nutrient management and composting. This knowledge was helpful for me to plug into the existing composting systems on the farm. We are in the process of planning compost and soil amending for next season now … I have enormous gratitude to all that make this program work as it does. I am inspired by my classmates and comforted knowing I have such a great network to tap into for help with farming in the future.”
Rayven spent 10 weeks producing a variety of goat milk products on a sustainable goat dairy in North Carolina.
“I was able to put into practice soil tests and found out the soil here is full of minerals and iron and not great for in ground agriculture, which is why you didn’t see a many vegetation farms around.”
Taj spent the summer learning at an organically managed vegetable farm in rural upcountry Maui.
“Because we are farming in Hawaii, there is no winter freeze to break pest life cycles, so the pressure on our high-volume CSA is constant. Using the concepts from class, I actively participated in the farm’s strategic pest management.
Thank you to everyone who made this program possible. The knowledge shared has been life-changing, and the experience has been surreal. I’ve grown a lot, not only as a farmer but also as a person. I’ve also formed a lifelong friendship with my farmer mentor.”
