Farm apprenticeships provide practical experience under supervision for those interested in learning to farm. Apprentices may be provided with room, board, and a stipend while in training. The work includes long hours on the farm in a variety of positions to learn about all the aspects of a working farm. Such opportunities may be listed in agricultural publications and through farming organizations. It is also possible to contact a farm directly to determine if it accepts apprentices.
Applicants for farm apprenticeships may need to have some experience, which could include previous farm work as well as formal educational training. The farm may ask them to travel for an interview to learn more about them. Farm staff must consider whether an applicant has the skills and work ethic necessary to do well. They may also want to determine an applicant’s suitability for the working environment, as farm apprenticeships can last nine months or more, and people who do not get along can create tensions.
Apprentices may arrive before the growing season to learn about the basics of work on the farm, meet other staff, and receive some health and safety education. Once the growing season begins, they participate in sowing, cultivating, and harvesting crops. They can also care for animals, and may run a stand at a farmers’ market or handle a roadside farm stand, depending on the type of farm. Farm apprenticeships can also include administrative training like handling payroll and scheduling.
Numerous types of farms offer apprenticeships. People interested in organic and sustainable agriculture may be able to find positions, along with those who want to study conventional production techniques. Apprentices who want to learn about handling and processing livestock might work on a cattle ranch, while people with an interest in vegetable crops might seek positions at farms with limited or no livestock. Farm apprenticeships can also provide training in areas like bio dynamic farming or natural horsemanship.
People with an interest in farm apprenticeships can check trade publications and professional organizations for opportunities. Farms usually require that applicants be physically fit and willing to commit to a set period of work. Some may ask that people show proof of financial stability, as they do not want apprentices to leave partway through because they cannot manage their debts on their stipends. It also helps to have letters of reference from farmers and instructors, illustrating that a candidate is interested in learning and willing to work hard.
