The EGTP is designed as an immersive introduction: digging deep into the concepts and practices of gardening for ecological wellbeing while remaining accessible for all experience levels. Some participants arrive with prior knowledge and experience such as landscaping, horticulture, teaching, volunteering, or academic work, while others are entering the world of environmental stewardship for the first time. Past participants in the EGTP have tended toward the following groups:

• Landscape practitioners and aspiring stewards looking to bolster their ecological knowledge and become more involved in restorative landscaping.
• Employees and conservation volunteers eager to bring vibrant and healthy natural spaces to their workspace, schoolyard, place of worship, or anywhere in the community.
• Nature-forward landowners exploring lawn conversion and restoration of degraded habitat on their property.
• Career pivoters, parents, environmental educators, and non-traditional students seeking knowledge and skill for creating a biodiverse future.

The EGTP is a good fit for anyone seeking to learn about how they can make a positive impact in the natural environment at home and beyond. No prior knowledge or experience is needed! 

Every employer is different in terms of their flexibility and willingness to accommodate, but many past EGTP trainees have participated successfully while maintaining a full-time job. Past solutions have included flexing or reducing hours, using paid days off, and/or communicating the merits of program participation to an employer. Some have even taken the skills they develop to the workplace by spearheading the installation of biodiversity gardens. For those currently employed in environmental organizations–landscaping companies, land conservancies, public parks/rec, extension services, academics, etc.–there is precedent in our program for trainees being permitted to claim employee development hours.

Of course, we acknowledge that employer accommodation for a commitment like this is not universal. We are happy to provide employers with enrollment verification and program credentials if necessary.

Hands-on learning in the field, be it through observational walks or installing restoration plantings, plays an important role in the EGTP. As we bring ecological gardening concepts and designs full-circle by taking tangible actions on the land, some level of physical preparedness is expected. We ask that trainees be able to perform natural movements common in gardening: kneeling, bending, digging, pushing, etc. Trainees can also expect to use manual and mechanical tools like a Hori Hori knife, pruners, and a planting auger. Storage, safety, and maintenance will be covered.

To be clear, active participation in project implementation is not required, and no trainee will be asked to exert beyond their limits or capabilities. If physical limitations are a concern, please reach out to us at education@hornfarmcenter.org so we can discuss how to accomodate. 

Instructor hours, guest instructor fees, field trip reservations, native plants, and program supplies are all covered under the program cost. Broken down, the EGTP costs $87 per week for 16 weeks of classroom and field education at a 1:12 instructor-to-student ratio.

Payment begins when you submit a nonrefundable $300 deposit to enroll in the program. You will receive a link to make this payment and confirm enrollment after completing an informal get-to-know-you meeting with the instructor. We also accept cash or checks if preferred.

After enrolling, there are two options for payment:

1. Payment in full.
2. Installment payments through our recommended payment plan, which consists of three installments. This comes out to ~$363 per installment. We also offer customized payment plans if requested.

A link to submit these payments will be shared with participants after their enrollment.

Any checks should be made payable to “Horn Farm Center Training Programs” while listing relevant details (EGTP deposit, first installment, etc.) in the memo.

Yes. Thanks to generous support from the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter, scholarship funds are available for participants who may benefit from a reduced program cost. To be considered for a scholarship, please complete additional questions under the “Scholarship Eligibility” section of the program Interest Form. We will review your responses anonymously.

Funds will be distributed based on justification of need, existing barriers, and investment in the program. Note that, per the Horn Farm Center’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policy, BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ applications will be prioritized.

If the program cost is prohibitive to your participation and a scholarship is the only way you’d be able to enroll, please let us know in your scholarship application, including, if possible, an estimate of how much financial coverage would enable you to pay for the program. 

Our goal is to make the EGTP accessible for all while covering our expenses, so we’ll work with you to determine a fair and equitable scholarship amount as funds allow.

Apply to join the 2025 Ecological Gardener Training Program by completing this form.

After you complete and submit your interest form, you will receive an email from the program instructor to schedule an informal get-to-know-you meeting where you’ll discuss your interests, goals, and needs.

Following your meeting with the instructor, you will receive an email from our program coordinator including a welcome message and a link to submit a nonrefundable $300 deposit. The deposit is required in order to officially enroll.

The application window to join the 2025 Ecological Gardener Training Program CLOSES at 12PM EST on Monday, January 27th, 2025.

Welcome to our ecosystem! A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the mission of the Horn Farm Center is to foster learning through ecological land stewardship, experiential education, and community partnership. Many EGTP trainees come to us from having prior experience taking a weekend class, volunteering, or joining an annual event like our Plant Sale or Wild & Uncommon Weekend. Some are just connecting with the Horn Farm Center for the first time. Wherever you may fall in our network, the best way to digest the full scope of our mission, history, philosophy, and restorative land impact is by exploring our virtual tour.