Although we are located on a university campus, we do not have academic status with the university. Since we are an Extension program the certificate awarded to apprentices does not have the full weight of university academic work. The certificate represents completion of a practical training course in horticulture. Because we are not technically part of the university, we do not have access to university dormitories, classrooms, or other facilities. Our program is modest and relatively small.
Students live outdoors, sleeping in their own tents on farm premises for the entire six months.
Community life centers around one central building used for cooking, eating, and bathing. There is also a small library for studying and reading. Students share cooking for the entire group of 40 by rotating the task daily between the participants. All participants, male and female, must share equally in the domestic tasks of cooking and cleaning. Program staff do not set guidelines for the group on these domestic concerns.