What kind of school is this?

Rizoma Field School is a nonprofit educational resource that can host students and partnerships from around the world. We are currently working on an active partnership with Washington State University and their departments of crop and soil sciences as well as sociology. We are also have an ongoing partnership hosting alternative service break for students at the Ohio State University. We are open to partnerships with other groups, institutions or individuals who are interested in learning about sustainability in context.

What is your fee structure?

Fees are dependent upon length of stay, number of meals, number of classes taken, size of the group, and time of year. We can work with your group to find a fee structure that fits your budget and interests. In the U.S., we can host week long trips or weekend trips, and the fees differ by destination and trip length.  In Uruguay, typically for a trip between 7-10 days, per student fees range from $1,500-$2,500 not including flights. This includes all in-country transport, accommodation, and meals.

Where will students stay?

In Uruguay, we have a partnership with Centro Emmanuel, a local spiritual retreat center and hub for organic agriculture and organic dairy production. Centro Emmanuel has dorm rooms, a dining room with the option of daily meals provided (as well as self-service), and classrooms for our use. We also work with Agua Dulce retreat center for student groups that want to stay within walking distance to the Rio de la Plata and beaches. Accommodations in Midwestern U.S. trips depend on destination.

How do students get transcripts?

For credit bearing programs students will receive transcripts from their host institution. Often, host institutions will send faculty to teach one or more classes alongside the classes offered by Rizoma Field School. We will work with your institution to create an adjunct position for our classes so that students will receive credit in their home institution.

Who are your local partners?

In Colonia, Uruguay we are lucky to have so many resources that make this place a very interesting one for exploring sustainable futures. There are a few enterprises that mirror local, environmental, small-scale production popping up in the Global North (microbrewery, earth building, organic agriculture, sustainable agritourism) as well as very many social structures that exist here that are common in the Global South (small scale dairy production and local dairy college, local poultry producer, small-scale vineyard, localized fish sellers). There is so much localized production here that is not a result of a movement, but is a common way of life and has been for generations.

We are also developing volunteer abroad opportunities with several local partners.  One is working with small-scale low-income farmers, helping with both labor and developing sustainable practices that save money and help keep them in business. This is something that is an ongoing project for a local organic agricultural center, and something we could easily jump in on to help them.

In the Midwest U.S. we are developing partnerships with organic farms, ecological restoration in forest preserves, small local sustainable businesses like biodynamic wineries, microbreweries, and regenerative wool and fiber businesses. Our local community partners in each context are vetted for sustainable practices and philosophies.

What kinds of day trips or weekend excursions are available for students?

In Uruguay we can include day trips from our work sites including Unesco World Heritage Site Colonia del Sacramento. Only two hours away (by bus and ferry) from world class city Buenos Aires, the home of tango. As well as 2 hours (by bus) away from the capital city of Uruguay, Montevideo. For a further trip, visit UNESCO World Heritage natural site Iguazú Falls, about a 20 hour bus ride.