The Old Fort
Support beginning and aspiring farmers and food systems change-makers!

At the Old Fort, various programs and enterprises serve the community, provide education and support for beginning farmers and ranchers, and produce meat and veggies for the local food system.

In 2023, over 50 beginning farmers and community members participated in classes, workshops, and field trips, which totaled over 100 hours of high-elevation farming education. Fifteen Farmers In Training participated in the FIT Program, 4 incubator farmers gained access to land at the Old Fort, and 2 ranching apprentices learned core ranching skills. Over 200 people participated in events, including the Blue Corn Harvest and the Farmer Training Convergence, and we held 12 Indigenous cultural workshops or presentations that engaged participants in planting, harvesting, food preparation, and Indigenous knowledge systems.

This is what graduates are saying about the Farmer Training Program:

  • The incorporation of indigenous growing practices and teachings…[is] what made the program so unique and rewarding.
  • I loved being part of this experience. Doing the FIT program has put me on a path that I’ve been trying to get to for a long time.
  • [The program had a] positive impact…on my emotional/mental wellbeing. This has been empowering to me and makes me believe I can succeed in agriculture.

Old Fort Growth Fund 

Your gift builds the Old Fort’s capacity to train beginning farmers, practice ecologically sound farming, and meet needs for new infrastructure, staffing, equipment, and more. Any amount is welcome and directly impacts our programs.


$7,500
President Tom Stritikus & Debbie Pfeifer’s President's Impact Fund Challenge
We have met this ambitious #FLCForever goal! Thanks to so many generous donors, President Tom Stritikus & Debbie Pfeifer’s President's Impact Fund Match is complete, and their donation has been unlocked. Together, we have raised at least $82,500 for the President's Impact Fund!
$75,000 / $75,000 Raised
Completed
$200,000
550 Donor Challenge - Help us Build the Sports Performance Center!
What an accomplishment! We have met our most ambitious #FLCForever Giving Tuesday 2023 goal! Thanks to so many generous donors, the 550 Donor Challenge is complete, and their donation has been unlocked. Together, we have raised more than $200,000 to support building the Sports Performance Center!
550 / 550 Donors
Completed
$50,000
Don & Sandra Mapel School of Education Student Teacher Scholarship 250 Donor Challenge
We have met our ambitious #FLCForever goal! Thanks to so many generous donors, Don & Sandra Mapel School of Education Scholarship 250 Donor Challenge is complete, and their donation has been unlocked. Together, we have raised more than $50,000 for the Sandra Mapel Student Teacher Scholarship Fund!
250 / 250 Donors
Completed
$22,000
Candice Carson Student Well-Being Fund 100 Donor Challenge
We have met our ambitious #FLCFOREVER goal! Thanks to so many generous donors, the Candice Carson Student Well-Being Fund 100 Donor Challenge is complete and their donation has been unlocked. Together, we have raised more than $22,000 for student health and well-being!
100 / 100 Donors
Completed
$2,000
Vice President Steve Schwartz & Kim Schwartz 50 Alumni Donor Challenge for Fort Lewis on the Water
We have met goal! Thanks to so many generous alumni donors, the Vice President Steve Schwartz & Kim Schwartz 50 Alumni Donor Challenge for Fort Lewis on the Water (FLOW) is complete and their donation has been unlocked. Together, we have raised at least $2,000 for FLOW!
50 / 50 Donors
Completed
$6,000
The Regenerative Food Systems Program Fund 10 Donor Challenge
We have met our goal! Thanks to our generous donors, The Regenerative Food Systems Program Fund 10 Donor Challenge is complete and the donation has been unlocked. Together, we have raised more than $6,000 for the Regenerative Food Systems Program!
10 / 10 Donors
Completed
$10,000
The Old Fort Growth Fund 10 Donor Challenge
We've met our goal! Thanks to our generous donors, The Old Fort Growth Fund 10 Donor Challenge is complete. We have raised at least $10,000 for the The Old Fort!
10 / 10 Donors
Completed
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Questions? See our FAQ.

Or you can contact us at foundation@fortlewis.edu.