WWOOF USA's Future Farmers Program Broadens Access for More Equitable, Sustainable Local Farms

Earth Rising is proud to support WWOOF-USA’s Future Farmer Program. This program empowers the next generation of regenerative and organic farmers through hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional training. Over a 10-week immersive learning experience, participants live and learn at host farms of their choosing while completing custom virtual coursework through Tufts University’s Crop Production Course. 

Each Future Farmer receives financial support to remove barriers to on-farm learning, along with access to a national network of peers and mentors dedicated to sustainable food systems. In 2025, the program experienced its most competitive year to date, with 198 applications for 25 placements. The selected cohort represented diverse backgrounds from regions across the U.S., with 80% identifying as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Historically, access to land and the resources necessary for small scale agriculture have limited who can become a farmer. Diverse farmer training programs is a huge step forward towards a more just food system. 

Over the 10 weeks participants completed over 5,000 hours of hands-on learning, mentorship, and farm work with a total of $90,000 in financial support distributed. Following the program, participants have access to alumni webinars and The Future Farmer alumni network, which now exceeds 100 members. 

Nick Lovett is gaining hands-on education and training from the alliance of individual farms and farmers who comprise Kingdom Gardens Farm in Rock Hill, S.C. Photo courtesy Nick Lovett. Appeared in Gardening Column of Augusta Good Needs

As interest in the Future Farmer Program grows, WWOOF-USA has been intentional in strengthening its systems, refining its program design, and building a sustainable financial foundation for future cohorts of farmers. A part of this forward looking work has been deepening collaboration with Tufts University to provide high quality virtual coursework and deepening alumni engagement to include alumni gatherings, mentorship circles and farm exchanges. 

We here at Earth Rising are excited to see how the Future Farmers Program expands and to see the impact of young people gaining access to hands-on farming experience. Because we believe equitable, sustainable local farming is a crucial component of the path towards a more just and sustainable future. 

Learn more about the program here.