What to expect as a GIT student :

The first and most important part to becoming a student volunteer is to have a deep desire to be a blessing to the greater community and to pray and ask the Father if this is something He would have you doing at this point in your life.  Next would be to be prepared to be a servant!  That is really at the core to farming and helping others.  Finally, be prepared to be taught and to learn!  It is so important that you come with a heart to learn.  No matter if you are simply in the field weeding, or in the classroom, or around the dinner table, there is always opportunity to learn if you are looking for it.

Farm work can be very hard, yet it is also very rewarding as you see fruits of your labor grow to nourish yourself and others. Here at GIT we have the added benefit of being able to bless Elohim’s people as we work for the Kingdom. As I read Nehemiah chapter 3 recently, it struck me as a beautiful thing that all these people who were working to rebuild the wall in Jerusalem were just normal people – people who took the initiative to work for the people of Elohim and for the land. YHVH saw fit that their names would forever be remembered in His scriptures. It makes me wonder if what I do, no matter how mundane it may seem, will be something to be remembered. I believe that as we work to prepare for the people whom YHVH has called to be His, it will be remembered.

It will be common for our days to start around 5AM, beginning a personal time of prayer and reading in the Word. After breakfast at 6AM, we have a time of prayer and devotional teaching as a group. Chores and beginning the work day is next. Lunch will usually be about 11 AM and work continue after lunch till about 2PM (depending on the heat of the day). Teaching and studies will be around 4PM, then dinner at 6 and free time… Is it Shabbat yet? This is a very general scenario. There are too many things that will need to be done to list them here, ie. delivering produce, going to market, etc.

Our vision at Growing in Torah is not only that our students grow in the principles of Torah and learn how to implement those principles into their daily lives, but to be able to sustain and bless their own families and those around them in their communities and in the Land of our inheritance.  Thus one of our favorite mottos – To bless the land and the people of the land.  Like so many things in Torah and GIT, there is a double meaning there – the land and the people here right now to be a witness to the nations, but also the land of inheritance and the people there also to be a light and hope to our brothers.

We have realized that in order to do this we need to become very successful in not only our farming practices, but also our marketing practices outside of simply going to farmers’ markets etc.  For instance, it is our goal that our students receive direct benefit from their hard work beyond the very important and rewarding benefit of helping the elderly and needy around us, but that their work here would finance them to actually go to Israel and be a blessing to the Land and the people there as well as we volunteer our labor to farmers through organizations such as HaYovel and others.  While we may not be able to accomplish that goal this next year, it is important to begin to work toward it.

Here are some of the areas we will be focusing on:

Farm Areas of Training

Food preservation

•               Canning
•               Dehydrating
•               Root Cellaring
•               Seed Banking
• Construction (dorms, green houses, root cellars)
• Welding (farm equipment manufacturing)
• Beekeeping
• Poultry (eggs, meat, turkeys)
• Beef
• Lamb
• Soil analysis and fertilization
• Marketing value added products of all areas via
•               Farmers Market
•               Direct Farm sales
•               Internet marketing

Biblical Academic Areas of Training

• Hebrew Language – speaking and reading
• Agri-bio Linguistics – word study principles
• Torah Studies/Life skills and application
• Worship
• Prayer
• Leadership skills

Become a student:

There are a couple of options to choose from. For more info on becoming a student.

Age: We accept students on an individual basis through application and interview process. Generally speaking though, you should have graduated from high school or equivalent, and usually between the ages of 18-25.

Cost:  

• The cost to attend as a “Full Time Student” is $4,200.  This covers – Tuition, Room and Board.  You will only be responsible for your incidentals such as any snacks, toiletries  and any study incidentals such as pens, pencils etc.  A full list will be sent to you upon your acceptance.
• The cost to attend as a “Part Time Student” is $3,000.  This covers – Tuition, Room and Board.  You will only be responsible for your incidentals such as any snacks, toiletries  and any study incidentals such as pens, pencils etc.  A full list will be sent to you upon your acceptance.  If as a “Part Time Student for 3 months you choose to stay longer, a remaining balance of $2,000 will be required to transfer you to a “Full Time Student” status.

Fees are due in full 30 days prior to arrival unless previous arrangements have been made. Financial aid is sometimes available; however, we strongly encourage you to work hard to secure any monies necessary.  We are happy to help in this endeavor with letters, brochures and other resources.

What next? – Let us know if you are interested! Even if you currently don’t have the finances to come, please let us know if you’re interested so we can begin seeking to help and start the application process. Just start by submitting the short form below, and we will send you an application.

Send Me An Application!