May 2024 Training

There is a growing need in our troubled times for people to learn how to grow food in a simple, uncomplicatedmanner that produces joy and freedom in their life. But to really do this they also need the transforming hope ofthe message of Jesus. Foundations for Farming is an approach to food production that is based on the heart ofJesus and produces incredible yields through simple, low-tech methods. Through tools like the Well-WateredGarden we seek to give people simple approaches that enable people to grow food in a simple way that is easyto pass on to others. Our vision is to equip a network of trainers about the United States and world who can helpmeet the growing demand for solutions to the looming global food crisis.

Monday, May 6th – Friday, May 10th, 2024

This is specifically for people who feel called to impact others by hosting their own trainings in their owncommunity or through existing mission or ministry work. This is ‘training for trainers’ and will be limited to asmall group so that we will be able to cater it to the specific needs and situations of the students attending. Wewill need a minimum of 5 adult attendees and maximum of 10. We plan to offer these training multiple timesthroughout the year and students will need to attend one of the subsequent scheduled trainings if theregistration for this training is too small or full. Follow up support will be available as graduates host their owntrainings in the coming months.

What You Will Learn

We will be training students to teach others from a Gospel-based Biblical worldview using the Well-WateredGarden training curriculum 12-lesson program.

By the end of the training you will be able to:

• Communicate how the gospel relates to agriculture.
• Understand what it takes to have soil that produces abundant crops naturally
• Manage your garden in a way that produces joy and makes a profit.
• Use eight simple questions to create an easy, but effective garden plan.
• Clear a spot for your garden without plowing or tilling
• Make thermal compost and natural organic fertilizers
• Layout garden beds with a simple system that allows for ease of management and space for a variety ofcrops.
• Plant seeds or transplants with a simple spacing system that is easy to follow and remember.
• Care faithfully for your garden with three simple tasks.
• Share your faith in Jesus through your garden.
• Train others in what you have just learned.

We will also be covering more in-depth topics like:

• Scaling up for homestead-level food security
• Growing for markets
• Alternative (off-grid) energy
• Backyard chickens
• Home dairy operations

There will also be time for discussion and questions for more specific topics pertinent to the studentsattending.

Training Location

This training will be hosted at Rora Valley Farms in Goodwater, Alabama and will include both classroom andpractical training as well as practice actually teaching others. No previous agricultural experience is required.

If you are flying, Birmingham, Alabama is the closest major airport (1 hour from the farm). Atlanta can also havecheaper flights but it is a 2.5 hour drive from the farm.

Students will arrive for lunch on Monday and will leave after lunch on Friday. Housing will be in shared rooms onthe farm or at a nearby camp (couples and families will get private rooms) and meals will be provided familystyle at our off-grid farmhouse. We will do our best to accommodate any food allergies.