Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture Hands-on Course

June 2nd to August 4th, 2025

Register by April 30th using the code Habanero411 to get a $100 early bird discount! 

Register Here 

New Entry’s Practicum in Sustainable Agriculture is a hands-on course designed to help participants build farm skills, expand their knowledge of vegetable production, and prepare them to pursue a career in sustainable agriculture. The Practicum is designed for those new to farming and can prepare someone to work on a farm or start their own farm on the New Entry Incubator Farm Training Program.

  • Class will be held weekly on Monday evenings from 7 to 9 pm.

  • Participants will engage in hands-on skill-building on Monday from 5 to 7 pm. A few additional hands-on sessions will be offered based on participants' schedules.

  • All instruction will take place at New Entry's Farm in Beverly, MA.

The Practicum will support you to:

  • Delve into sustainable agriculture: Enhancing soil health, efficient field preparation, and plant care.  We are a USDA Certified Organic farm and teach sustainable farming practices and students will learn about regenerative agriculture and crop production.
  • Explore greenhouse management, maintaining crop health, and climate control.
  • Learn and implement strategic pest and disease management, alongside nutrient management and composting.
  • Uncover best practices for harvest and post-harvest management to ensure crop quality.
  • Develop an entrepreneurial mindset, reflecting on how to optimize farm production, build resilience, and use time efficiently.

The course will cover topics such as:

  • Soil health and nutrient management
  • Direct seeding and transplanting
  • BCS (hand-scale tractor) operations
  • Crop health and development
  • Weeding
  • Pest and disease management
  • Irrigation systems
  • Harvest and post-harvest management

To learn more about the detailed content of the practicum please read the syllabus here.

Cost:  $800, scholarships are available.

Register Here 

Register by April 30th using the code Habanero411 to get a $100 early bird discount!

Application Deadline: June 1st, 2025.

For more information, please contact New Entry’s Farm Training Manager, Julien Barrere, at julien.barrere@tufts.edu.