MEDINA - Initiated in 2007, Organic Farming 101 teaches participants the basic principles of organic and sustainable agriculture.

The course is a series of 10 Saturday classes starting Oct. 25 and running through March 2009 in Medina.

Participants study farm goal setting, organic management principles, financial and business planning, the organic certification process, as well as organic and alternative marketing.

After completing the class sessions, course participants have the opportunity to attend on-farm field days and to participate in a mentoring program.

Registration materials are available at www.farrms.org/farming101.html or by calling 701-486-3569. The course fee is $500 per farm family.

Need-based scholarships are available for the course and the deadline for scholarship application has been extended to Sept. 15.