During the months of May and June, a once-weekly period is provided for student farmers to independently explore an aspect of farming that they feel might fit into their future. Student farmers develop a learning plan that outlines their specific objectives and we identify appropriate mentors, either on staff or in the larger community, to facilitate the achievement of each student's goals.

An important piece of our curriculum is the over 20 area farms and farm-based businesses that we visit throughout the year. Students gain a broader sense of what's possible by visiting many successful farmers who established farm businesses that are different from the farm business at The Farm School. For example, student farmers visit established farmstands, raw milk dairies, grain CSA, cheesemakers, biodynamic farms, entirely horse-powered farms, community farm operations and farm restaurants. Additionally, we visit other meat & vegetables CSA's for students to get a sense of various farm practices, distribution methods, styles and scenes.

Optional three-week immersion on a Tuscan farm in partnership with the Spannocchia Foundation (www.spannocchia.org). Students are included in the daily work of the farm and participate in educational activities that highlight Tuscan food, wine and culture.

Various resources for near-graduating student farmers are presented as they begin preparing to leave The Farm School and head out into the world to farm on their own, work for an educational farm, manage or work at a production farm, continue their training in the fields or classroom, organize farmer's markets or work in the field of food justice or advocacy.