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The Golden Cup Graduate Scholar Program is a transformative, stipend-supported residency designed for individuals passionate about sustainability, homesteading, and regenerative living.
Housed on a sprawling 160-acre homestead, this immersive 30-day and 90-day residency program provides participants with real-world experience in natural building, permaculture, regenerative agriculture, food sovereignty, and community development.
This program is the pilot stage of a larger vision to establish Golden Cup as a full-scale educational farm, retreat center, and homesteading training hub, offering workshops, residencies, and leadership programs for individuals looking to integrate sustainability into their lives and careers.
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Stipend Provided: Each participant receives a stipend to cover food and program participation, ensuring accessibility to all.
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Location: A fully operational 160-acre homestead, providing a natural and immersive setting for learning.
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Two Pathways: Graduate Scholars & Youth Leaders
Graduate Scholars (90-Day Residency – Open to All Adults)
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A professional-level experience for individuals of all ages seeking deep immersion in sustainability and leadership.
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Participate in hands-on sustainability training in natural building, permaculture, regenerative agriculture, and homesteading.
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Work alongside sustainability experts and thought leaders while engaging in community
impact initiatives.
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Complete an independent sustainability or leadership project as part of the program.
GOLDEN CUP PILOT PROGRAM
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
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Scholar Responsibilities & Training Areas
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Sustainable Agriculture & Regenerative Farming
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Learn soil restoration, permaculture, and crop management for long-term food security.
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Natural Building & Off-Grid Living
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Train in eco-friendly construction methods such as cob, straw bale, and timber framing.
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Homesteading & Self-Sufficiency
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Gain experience in food preservation, herbal medicine, animal husbandry, and renewable energy.
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Community Engagement & Workshop Participation
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Scholars will not be leading workshops in Phase 1 but will actively participate in expert-led sustainability training sessions. Future program iterations may include scholar-led workshop development.
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Personalized Leadership Development
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Receive mentorship, guided reflection, and hands-on problem-solving training for career and personal growth.
Bridging Into Future Growth: The Evolution of Golden Cup
The Scholar Program is just the beginning. As Golden Cup grows, the training model will expand into a fully-integrated homesteading and sustainability education center, offering workshops and skill-based training for the wider community.
Phase 1: Scholar Participation in Expert-Led Workshops
• Scholars learn by engaging in expert-led sustainability workshops in
areas such as beekeeping, food sovereignty, regenerative agriculture, and natural building.
Phase 2: Expanded Residency & Apprenticeships
• The program develops into a homestead residency model, where long-term apprentices live, work, and train in sustainability.
• Graduate Scholars will have the opportunity to return as mentors and facilitators for new scholars and youth leaders.
Phase 3: Fully Operational Sustainable Training Hub
• Golden Cup becomes a full-fledged homesteading education center,
hosting year- round sustainability workshops, retreats, and apprenticeships.
• Public accessibility expands, allowing visitors to book homestead
experiences, attend seasonal sustainability conferences, and engage in
skill-building intensives.
• Revenue Model: Combination of workshop fees, on-site farm sales,
branded merchandise, and facility rentals.
Join the Scholar Program & Be a Part of the Future
The Golden Cup Scholar Program was founded by Edgar F. Kadist Mariam Harp, a practitioner and graduate student whose work bridges real estate, law, leadership, and spiritual practice. Edgar is currently pursuing his master’s in the Professional Studies Leadership Program at The Catholic University of America, applying advanced leadership principles directly to real-world projects that integrate community development, sustainability, and holistic healing.
With a professional foundation in real estate and law, Edgar has designed and supported initiatives across diverse settings:
• León, Mexico (two-year residency): Development of the León Project, creating cross-border regenerative models that combine cultural traditions, ecological design,
and entrepreneurial opportunity.
• Massachusetts: Urban regeneration research and case study development focused
on scalable models of sustainable infrastructure.
• Ukiah, California (Golden Cup Homestead): Support for a 160-acre medicinal farm
where holistic health practices, food sovereignty, and community workshops
converge.
• Surprise, Arizona: Design of a 2-acre regenerative RV farm featuring aquaponics,
herbal medicine, and retreat programming.
Edgar’s work is also informed by his role as an oblate and aggregate of the Monks of Tabor, where he deepens the connection between contemplative practice and sustainable leadership. Each case study is not just a project but a living laboratory that contributes to the vision of creating resilient, healing-centered communities.
The Golden Cup Scholar Program exists to translate these experiences into education, workshops, and partnerships that bring together nonprofits, foundations, and local residents. By aligning leadership, law, and land-based practice with holistic healing, the program demonstrates how regenerative systems can serve seniors, youth, vulnerable populations, and entire communities.
Join the Scholar Program & Be a Part of the Future
Whether you’re an aspiring leader, an environmental advocate, or someone passionate about sustainability and self-sufficiency, the Golden Cup Graduate Scholar Program is a transformative opportunity to gain practical experience, leadership skills, and hands-on sustainability training.
Are You Ready to Become a Scholar?
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Contact Us at Info@goldencuphomestead.org
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Learn More at https://www.goldencuphomestead.org/
Golden Cup: Cultivating Leaders, Building Sustainable Futures.