Farm training the GroSpace way

Welcome to farm training with GroSpace

Everyone is welcome here
Police clearance should be completed before you arrive preferably with a police clearance certificate in hand upon arrival.

Identity documents are a prerequisite to joining the farm training program. Without identification, applicants will not be allowed entry for security purposes. GroSpace protects the security of the environment surrounding training facilities. GroSpace holds the right to expel any applicant from the program if any form of security is breached by the applicant or the applicant is involved in any way with the security breach in question.

What do applicants need to bring to farm training?

Personal items for the farm training:

Applicants need to bring blankets, bedding, working clothing or overalls, food and cooking utensils. Basically what they would use to feed themselves at home. Applicants should also bring soap, washing powder and sanitary ware.

Farming items for the farm training:

If finance allows, each applicant should bring along, a hoe, a shovel, a garden fork, a wheelbarrow, a pair of gumboots, 4 pairs of heavy leather gloves, a scythe, an axe or chainsaw and a bush cutter with fuel.

What will the farm training cover?

Farming the GroSpace way is simple and sustainable. Farm training covers broiler chicken production on open pasture along with composting of manures and waste green organic matter. Farm training focuses on organic plant production, compost production and pasture-raised broiler chicken production.

Each trainee Grower will be allocated a working area of 400 square meters of land. Over a 4 month period, this 400 square meter area will be transformed into a fully functioning agriculture zone. We will go through everything from planting seeds, transplanting, cultivating the soil, layout of the planting garden, watering schedule, planting season, harvesting, seed storage. During this time, each trainee Grower will focus on marketing, packaging and logistics along with customer relations online and in person. Learn how to grow popcorn for profit. Learn how no-dig farming is changing the way we farm. Learn how to start a chicken business and how to feed your chickens on compost. Learn about Project Phoenix and also how to start a firewood business

What does farm training cost?

Full seed to harvest training and GroSpace certification costs R20 000. Farm training the GroSpace way should be free which is why we offer the volunteer program.

Volunteer program – farm training

The volunteer program allows volunteers to exchange their time and effort to cover training costs. Volunteer growers can start their training course without any money and walk away with the skills to start their own organic farming business within half a year.

What does the course cover?

• Seed-to-harvest best practices
• Soil Science
• Fertilisation
• Soil regeneration
• Livestock integration
• Crop rotation
• Finance and Accounting
• Budgeting
• Marketing
• Packaging
• Logistics
• Innovation
• Hydroponics
• Aeroponics
• Aquaponics
• Tooling and infrastructure
• Sustainability
• Permaculture
• Organic farming

How long is the farm training course?

The farm training course stretches across 8 weekend modules. This course is not the volunteer course which lasts for 12 months.

How long can volunteers stay in the farming training program?

Volunteers can stay for a maximum period of 12 months at a time after which they are encouraged to start their own GroSpace. During this time, volunteers will start their own GroSite on GroSpace.

What is a GroSite?

A Grosite is an online website hosted on the GroSpace marketplace. Here you can tell your story, share memories and record data on your experiments and experiences. You can sell your products and offer services. You can receive online payments, ship your products worldwide and all off this is prebuilt so that you can focus on marketing your business.

Do I get certified after the course?

Yes the course is certified by GroSpace. The course is specific for those looking to join the GroSpace Partner Network. GroSpace accredited growers are linked with new jobs and farming opportunities across the GroSpace Network.

Does GroSpace offer farm visits?

Yes, farm visits can be arranged at a nominal fee.

Does GroSpace offer accommodation for the duration of the farm training volunteer program?

Yes, GroSpace offers accommodation for volunteers.

How long is the GroSpace farm training program?

Farm training lasts for 12 months.

When is the next training camp?

Farm training is always open to a limited number of volunteers.

Where is the closest GroSpace farm training ?

We will allocate you to your closest GroSpace farm training facility depending on the address thhat you enter below.

How to apply as a volunteer for the GroSpace farm training course: