The University of Rhode Island Boots to Bushel (URI B2B)  is a comprehensive 9 - month market garden training program for beginning farmers, military veterans, and their family members.  TO APPLY: Please fill out this application by February 18, 2024.  URI 2024 Boots to Bushels Application.  

Phase 1 includes 10 weeks of online instruction covering identified risk areas including:

Farm Production Methods - seedling production, crop planning and production, food safety, soil health.

Farm Business/Finances - business planning, financials, record keeping, funding, and marketing.

Family and Fitness - health and wellness, adaptive equipment, farming ergonomics, stress reduction and available resources.  

Classes will be held online every other Tuesday from 9am-1pm. 

February 20th - June 25th, 2024

The second phase includes interactive opportunities for participants to engage with real world farm businesses through in person - on farm tours. Tours will be held in late spring and summer. 

Fees: 

Ten Online Classes and Farm Tours - $150* OR Ten Online Classes - $75** (The farm tours will be scheduled across Rhode Island. This reduced fee option is designed for participants that are not within driving distance of Rhode Island farm tours). 

TO APPLY: Please fill out this application by December 15th, 2023.  URI 2024 Boots to Bushels Application.  

** We have limited scholarships available for veterans with limited resources. Please contact Tricia Lourenco Boucher, telourenco@uri.edu for scholarship opportunites.