Harmon School’s Viticulture & Agriculture Immersion Program is a month-long, hands-on learning experience designed for students who want to connect academics with real-world work, culture, and craft. Hosted in France, this immersive summer program places students directly in a working vineyard or orchard, where they learn the fundamentals of viticulture and agriculture by participating in the daily rhythms of farm life.

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Learning by Doing

Students engage in meaningful, age-appropriate work alongside experienced growers, gaining firsthand exposure to the full production cycle of wine and/or cider. From understanding soil and climate to observing harvest timing and post-harvest processes, students explore how agricultural decisions shape quality, sustainability, and yield. Through our partnership with a U.S.-based cidery, students also connect their field experience to production practices closer to home—bridging Old World tradition with modern craft manufacturing.

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From Field to Finished Product

Throughout the program, students study key elements of the growing and production process, including:

• Plant biology, soil health, and seasonal cycles

• Harvest practices and quality considerations

• Fermentation basics and production workflows

• Sustainability, stewardship, and agricultural ethics

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Learning is guided by mentors and educators who help students reflect, document observations, and connect hands-on work to broader scientific, economic, and environmental concepts.

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Cultural & Language Immersion

Beyond agriculture, the program is a cultural immersion experience. Students explore French language, food, history, and daily life—building cultural awareness and global perspective through lived experience. Informal language exposure, local excursions, and shared meals deepen understanding and foster confidence navigating a new environment.

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Who This Program Is For

This experience is ideal for students who:

• Learn best through hands-on, experiential education

• Are curious about agriculture, sustainability, or food systems

• Value cultural exploration and global perspective

• Want an academically meaningful alternative to traditional summer programs​

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Program Availability

• Summer 2026: Fully enrolled

• Summer 2027: Applications now being accepted

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Specific dates, locations, and program details for 2027 will be shared as they become available. Families who apply early will be the first to receive updates.