Apprentices in action

In October, our Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship program apprentices and farmer educators gathered at Full Circle Community Farm to learn, connect and celebrate. We had the pleasure of hosting SG of SG Tractors who led our group through a workshop on tractor parts, maintenance, and troubleshooting. 

SG introduced our field day group to the different tractor engine parts and expertly guided us through how the engine parts work together to power the engine. Apprentices and farmer educators then delved further into tractor systems and safety practices, and got to perform maintenance on the Kubota MX6000 tractor - changing engine oil, greasing joints and more! 

Each host farm in the apprenticeship program is so unique - in its scale, location, land, crew, history, culture and any/all choices farmers make to run their farm, which is something that makes this program so special. That also means that even while the program’s on-the-job training is guided by a standard job book of competencies, each apprentice’s experience is going to vary based on their host farm. 

Some farms use tractors regularly and some more frequently lean on hand scale tools. This tractor workshop was an opportunity to supplement the skills that apprentices are learning during their time with their farmer educators by deepening their training and knowledge on tractors. We’re grateful SG was able to come to Wisconsin to shepherd us through this important learning.

During our day-long workshop, we were able to take a mid-day moment for a tour of Full Circle Community Farm, led by Isaac (apprentice) and Scott (farmer educator). We got to see everything from their packshed - with their innovative and cost-efficient pulley racks for drying produce - to their hoophouses, greenhouses and fields. We were joined by some furry friends on the tour as well!

Finally, we came together in the hay loft under twinkling lights to celebrate our graduating apprentices, who shared about their highlights and future plans. Sabee Culinary Services catered our lunch and dinner with a delicious seasonal menu developed using local produce - including Full Circle’s veggies! The night completed in a ceremony where our graduating apprentices made their congratulatory walk and received a small gift from FairShare - a polaroid photo and a branded harvest knife and sheath. 

We thank everyone there and behind the scenes who made this a magical October Apprenticeship field day.