I'm in a horticulture program right now at a local community college. It's just a simple 2 year program but it's kind of set up ideally for generalist. It's a very broadbased cirriculum covering Woody plants, nursery operation, greenhouse management, surveying and mapping , soils , landscape design etc. I'm stoked about this because 1) it's only 8 grand 2) it's perfect for permaculture design 3) it's only a 2 year commitment. In your situation I would have to go with getting out of there. I think alot of folks who have replied to this are pretty spot on. If you want to be a permaculture farmer (what I want to do) then hang out with some permaculture farmers. I"m looking into long term lease and tenure options for farming as well. A very big obstacle for young aspiring farmers is lack of capital for start up and land cost. Long term leases and other tenure and stewardship arrangements are the solution to this problem. If we can get landowners excited about the prospect of them contributing to society merely by allowing vibrant, young permaculturalist loose on land then we have won.
Awesome stuff.....
