Update: This offer has now closed.

We have had an overwhelming response to our solidarity offer for free access to our online courses. We are so glad that many of you have been able to sign-up for some active learning before the season starts. Many shared our offer through their networks, which was terrific! Unfortunately, some key information was lost in the process.

Here is an update and reminder about this offer. These courses typically require six weeks to complete. Given that spring is just around the corner, we will end this free offer at noon this Friday, March 27, 2020.

These learning opportunities can help build local food security during the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond.

Last week, we encouraged you to keep hope and manage your stress in the face of this pandemic. Despite all of the chaos, we have to pause, take stock and plan for something entirely new.

Individually, we must practice social distancing and lots of hand washing; at home, we try to keep the kids engaged in learning and exercise; on the farm, we feel the season starting and are wondering how to be COVID-19 ready.

Over the last week, our networks have been buzzing with conversations on how farmers can prepare for possible changes due to COVID-19. We at the Cornell Small Farms Program want to support you through this crisis. We have set up a farm resilience resource page that brings together information and resources from our partners in CCE and other agencies, as well as learning opportunities to help you adapt for this season.

We will also be hosting some themed farmer-to-farmer discussions starting next week. Stay tuned by ensuring you subscribe to our emails, or check our website and social channels often!

To further support you in this trying time, we would like to offer you free access for any two of our online courses through the end of April. This is a gesture of solidarity made possible by our online course team, as well as students who have paid to take these courses over the years.* While our instructor-led courses are nearly wrapped up for the year, all of the recorded lectures and other the content is there for your self-directed study.

Our suite of more than 20 online courses help farmers improve their technical and business skills. These courses cover a range of topics, from mushroom growing to financial planning, to anything in between that a farmer needs to succeed.

Are you just starting to farm? Check out our Plan Your Farm Hub for a set of online tutorials designed for those at the earliest stages of planning a farm business. This course is always available for free.

If you want to use some of your time at home and take advantage of this online class offer, please do the following: Between now and the end of April, go to www.smallfarmcourses.com and choose a course to enroll in. When you get to the checkout page, look for the “Add Coupon” link, and enter COVID19 in that field. Checkout for free, and get started on your course. You can choose a second course if you’d like, but please limit your use of this coupon to two courses. Complete the course(s) before April 30, when you will lose access to the course materials.

One thing that this pandemic has made clear is that our small-scale farmers help build local food security. We’d like to support you using this time to further develop your farming skills.

Together, we’ll get through this challenging time!

*Paying students retain lifetime access and have the opportunity for live instruction, while this gift is just for access to materials for the next 6 weeks.