EcoFarm 2027 Amigo Bob Beginning Farmer Scholarship Program
About the EcoFarm 2027 Amigo Bob Beginning Farmer Scholarship Program
An annual Amigo Bob Beginning Farmer Scholarship Fund has been established to honor and preserve the legacy of Amigo Bob Cartisano, the founder of the EcoFarm Conference and a leader in advocating to bring the principles of organic farming and building healthy soils into the realm of so-called “conventional” agriculture. He loved Nature and had boundless energy to share and motivate all of us in the joy of living and working as farmers and everyday consumers.
The Amigo Bob Beginning Farmer Scholarship Fund carries that vision forward by helping make the EcoFarm Conference accessible to farmers who are just beginning their journey. Through scholarships, emerging farmers can attend the annual EcoFarm Conference to gain knowledge, build relationships, and connect with the people and resources that can help them grow thriving farms and build a more resilient food system.
Learn more about Amigo Bob's life, work, and lasting influence through the three tribute articles below.
Definition of a Beginning Farmer
For purposes of the EcoFarm 2027 Amigo Bob Beginning Farmer Scholarship, a beginning farmer is an individual who is actively establishing, developing, or operating an agricultural farm or growing operation and who has 5 years or less of farm operating experience.
This definition is intended to include farmers who are in the early stages of establishing an independent agricultural operation, including those transitioning from apprenticeships, farm employment, family farming, or other agricultural experience into operating their own farm or growing enterprise.
Who is eligible to apply?
To qualify for the Amigo Bob Beginning Farmer Scholarship, an applicant must:
Be actively engaged in farming or be in the process of establishing a farm or agricultural operation.
Have operated an agricultural operation for no more than 5 years. Applicants who have not yet operated a farm may also qualify if they are actively preparing to establish an operation.
Have a meaningful role in the management and/or day-to-day operation of the farm. Simply investing in, owning an interest in, or providing occasional assistance to a farm does not by itself qualify.
Have an interest in organic or ecological agriculture. The applicant does not necessarily need to be certified organic. Applicants may be:
Certified organic farmers;
Farmers transitioning to organic production;
Farmers using organic or regenerative practices;
Beginning farmers planning to establish an organic operation; or
Farmers seeking education to develop or expand organic production practices.
Demonstrate a genuine need or benefit from attending the conference. Preference may be given to applicants for whom the scholarship would make conference attendance otherwise difficult or impossible.
Examples of Applicants Who May Qualify
The Amigo Bob Beginning Farmer Scholarship may be appropriate for:
A person who started their first farm three years ago.
A beginning farmer transitioning an existing operation to certified organic production.
An apprentice who has recently begun operating their own farm.
A person who is establishing a new farm and has not yet had a first production season.
A beginning farmer who leases land and is responsible for the farm’s management.
A farmer who has several years of farming experience but has been independently operating their own farm for 5 years or less.
Deadlines
Scholarship applications will be accepted through Friday, November 20th, 2026; by midnight Pacific time.
Applicants will be notified by email by Monday, December 7th, 2026. .
A Resilient Food System Starts
With Supporting Those Who Grow Our Food
Beginning farmers are the future of our food system. A donation to the Amigo Bob Beginning Farmer Scholarship Fund helps make the EcoFarm Conference more accessible to farmers who are starting their agricultural journey.
Your gift helps open the door to EcoFarm for those who might not otherwise be able to attend the conference. By investing in their participation, you are investing in the ideas, relationships, and leadership that will help build a more resilient, equitable food system for generations to come.
Support the next generation of farmers. Donate to the Amigo Bob Beginning Farmer Scholarship Fund today.