BUFA students hoeing a row

The Beginning Urban Farmer Apprenticeship (BUFA), an innovative program developed to train entry level farmers in Multnomah County, finished its pilot season last month by graduating 17 eager new farmers. After 8 months of classroom training, over 400 hours of in-the-field work alongside experienced small scale farmers and a series of six small business classes, the students graciously accepted their certificates from the supportive Board of Commissioners and Chair Cogen on December 20th.  BUFA graduate, Nathan Hoover, offered testimony to the success of the program at the ceremony saying:

“When I applied to BUFA, I never could have predicted how inspiring the class would be, or where it would lead me.  Way back then I just wanted to grow enough food for myself and my partner, and to have enough to share with our friends.  Now, I want to grow enough food for my neighborhood, my city, and beyond.  I can't do it alone, but, thankfully, I am not alone.” 

The Program

The Beginning Urban Farmer Apprenticeship (BUFA) program is a partnership between Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service and Multnomah County designed to provide an in-depth and comprehensive training in sustainable, small-scale, urban farming methods.  Through formal classes, hands-on training, field-trips, online learning and supervised apprenticeships, BUFA instruction prepares students to produce market fresh vegetables, fruits, grains, cut flowers, and other value-added products using organic farming methods.

Next Year

In the 2012 season BUFA will expand to 30 students with up to 6 work-trade scholarships available.  The application period opened on November 15, 2011 and will close on January 15, 2012 at 5pm.  For more information and application materials see the BUFA website.