Spirit Gardens Trade School is a program designed to train farmers in sustainable, organic farming methods using a Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) model. The school is a program of Life Resources Institute, in partnership with Kris Hoien, owner of Spirit Ranch. The ranch is located in the heart of the Applegate Valley of Southern Oregon.

During a 6 month residential apprenticeship, farm interns receive instruction to learn how to set up, organize and operate a CSA. On a daya to day basis, Interns work alongside staff in the greenhouse, gardens, pastures and orchard. They receive formal classroom instruction and workshops, take field trips to other farms and participate in local growers markets. By the end of the CSA season, the interns are well equipped, with enough knowledge and hands on experience, to return to their home communities and start a CSA.

The program includes hands on training and instruction in the following areas:

• Crop planting and succession planting
• Soil health and preparation
• Composting
• Soil Testing and analysis
• Organic pest control methods
• Propagation and transplanting
• Harvesting and handling
• Packing and delivery
• Marketing
• Canning and preserving