2025/2026 SMALL FARM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM I ENROLLMENT
The EAT! Small Farm Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide a full-immersion experience, encouraging students to explore cultural diversity, philosophical perspectives and farming as a means to personal, family, community and financial wellness. Although place-based within the City of Norco, our curriculum is derived from generations of practical farming wisdom & emerging practices impacting the present and future of agriculture.
This unique training opportunity takes 10 months to complete, and includes the mastery of 9 Core Agricultural Knowledge Areas and a commitment to 500 hours in the field and classroom. The program culminates wit h the creation of an individualized Small-Farm Business & Marketing Plan. Apprenticeship students must complete all five of the following components to achieve Apprenticeship Status:
- Demonstrated Competency in the theory and practice of the 9 Core Agriculture Knowledge Areas
- Completion of at least 500 hours of in-class/field experience/project work demonstrating conceptual understanding & hands-on implementation
- Regular attendance & participation during their time in the program
- Completion of an apprenticeship project demonstrating competency in one or more core areas
- Completion of a Small-Farm Business & Marketing Plan
ENROLL NOW!
Ready to Begin or Continue Your Farming Journey?
FARM & GARDEN WORKSHOPS SERIES
EGG HANDLER + SMALL PRODUCER WORKSHOP
About this Workshop:
EAT! and the Cities of Norco & Riverside are proud to partner with the California Department of Food and Agriculture for this Classroom & Hands-On Workshop. The Egg Handler + Small Producer Workshop is an interactive workshop designed to provide education from Chickens-to-Eggs, as well as regulations that are necessary elements for creating a safe and wholesome food product.
Three main objectives that make up the small producer workshop consist of:
- The importance and implementation of biosecurity
- Grading and labeling of eggs for regulation compliance
- Developing a deeper understanding of chickens as a whole
- Support with the process of becoming a Registered Egg Handler
Supplies & Materials Included with this Workshop:
- LED Hand-Held light for Candling your Eggs
- Small Digital Scale for Weighing/Grading Eggs
- Course-Related Materials
- Hands-On Opportunity to Handle and Observe Defective Eggs coming straight from the Industry
Enrollment Process for this Workshop:
- This is a FREE Workshop
- Complete the Online Enrollment Form by Clicking on the Link
- Enrollment for this workshop is limited to 30 participants
- We will contact you to let you know if you've been admitted into the workshop
- If the workshop is full---you will be placed on the waiting list, and if a spot opens up we'll contact you!
- We look forward to being part of your Farming & Gardening Journey!
THE CDFA SMALL PRODUCER OUTREACH PROGRAM
The Small Producer Outreach Program within the Egg Safety and Quality Management (ESQM) Program provides outreach, education and resources to small flock egg producers and backyard enthusiasts. The mission of the outreach program is to offer important information and resource materials to backyard bird owners, and to help educate small flock egg producers in food safety and bio-security.
CDFA workshops are one-day events where participants learn about bio-security, regulatory requirements and general chicken information. The workshops are interactive with hands-on activities and networking opportunities. One of the goals of the workshop is to help participants incorporate what they've learned into their egg producing practices.
THE 2025 FARM & GARDEN WORKSHOPS SERIES
OUR TEAM
The EAT! Cultural Center & Farm Team is Patrick, Chris and Areli. Our team works closely with Program Participants, The City of Norco and Community Based Organizations throughout the Inland Empire...and Beyond.
SMALL FARM APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
- The EAT! Small Farm Apprenticeship Program is designed to provide a full-immersion experience, encouraging students to explore cultural diversity, philosophical perspectives, and farming as a means to personal, family, community and financial wellness.
- Although place-based within the City of Norco, our curriculum is derived from generations of practical farming wisdom and emerging practices impacting the present & future of agriculture.
agri-culture!
NORCO RURAL FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET THURSDAY NIGHTS FROM 5PM-8PM
The EAT! Center hosts a Rural Farmers & Artisans Market each Thursday night throughout the year. Originally launched as a culminating event for the Business Planning + Branding pieces of our Small Farm Apprenticeship Program, our weekly market has become a Cultural Growth Experience focused on Building Community, Empowering Small Businesses, and
Strengthening the Local Economy.
The family agriculture revival movement aka FARm!
The FARM! Movement is our way of engaging the entire Farm Family in the Culture of Agriculture. We offer seminars and workshops to everyone from the community. Many of those workshops focus on off-ground topics such as canning, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, branding and more. Seasonal events & celebrations support the region’s small farm culture.
FIVE KEYS & eat! ARE GRATEFUL COLLABORATORS WITH
FIVE KEYS SCHOOLS & PROGRAMS
Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.