Celebrating national apprenticeship week!

10 apprentices are graduating from our 2023 cohort in the Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship Program this winter, and National Apprenticeship Week seems like the perfect time to celebrate!

Our apprenticeship program is unique - it's the first registered apprenticeship for organic vegetable production in the country. Through the 18-month program, apprentices work side by side with experienced farmers to develop their skills and learn the ins-and-outs of what it takes to run an organic vegetable farm.

Learning from a farmer educator during an October field day

This collaborative relationship is extremely valuable for apprentice and farmer alike:

• “The Apprenticeship is competency based and very comprehensive. This, along with the expertise and mentorship of my farmer educator, allowed me to move from someone who knew nothing about farming to a very competent and confident novice at an accelerated pace. The apprenticeship structure also allowed me to apply my years of experience in leadership, team management, and process improvement on the farm in  ways that benefit the farm, the crew, and me!" ~ Amy, apprentice at Park Ridge Organics

  
  

• “The apprenticeship program has really benefited our farm in a multitude of ways - regulating our labor season to season, urging us to relinquish some responsibilities, allowing us to offer a competitive job position with room to grow, and also offering a support network between other farmer educators as well as from FairShare itself. A wonderful addition to any farm that wants to share their experience farming.” ~ Sarah, farmer educator at Squashington Farm

• “It has been such a great journey and gave me the confidence I needed to step into farm management. The OVFM Apprenticeship provided the solid structure I was hoping for to expand my knowledge base while allowing me to explore new areas. Farming involves such a dynamic skillset and mindset and coming up with a "standard" like this program has is no easy feat. Everyone comes in with a different level of understanding but with very similar goals and that is what makes it all work." ~ Brian, graduated apprentice and current farm manager and farmer educator at Gwenyn Hill Farm

  
  

• "The apprenticeship has extensively broadened my appreciation of the time, interdisciplinary effort and strength required to produce quality produce. The work is really challenging in all the best ways; I am amazed by the simultaneous complexity and simplicity of farming. The apprenticeship has been both extraordinarily practical and convivial. I am very grateful to cultivate relationships with both experienced vegetable growers and enthusiastic peers. It's incredibly empowering and equipping!“ ~ Susanna, apprentice at Springdale Farm

  
  

• “This program has completely changed my perspective on food, community, and work. I am so lucky to be participating in such a great program that is full of such wonderful, talented, dedicated, and supportive people.” ~ Calvin, apprentice at Winterfell Acres

  
  

• “The apprenticeship thus far has been a very rich experience. Grateful to be working with a brilliant cooperating farmer and to be finding so much wonder and new knowledge in the off season courses we’re taking. I’ve been farming a number of years and this apprenticeship reminds me that the learning never ends when it comes to farming!” ~Amirah, apprentice at Winterspring Farms

After this season, we will have graduated 24 apprentices since we celebrated our first graduated apprentices in 2021! Here are what a few of our graduated apprentices have shared about their journey after the program:

• “As an apprentice, the program allowed me to have a well-rounded learning experience while also getting paid to do farm work. The program, and the job book specifically, also allowed me to advocate for aspects of my training that might have been left out or overlooked if not for the accountability the job book provides. 

  
  

  As a farmer educator, the apprenticeship program really makes me think about the "why" of everything I do as a farm manager. I need to be able to not only demonstrate how, but also explain why I do things a certain way in the fields and in the office. I believe this is helpful for the apprentices as they learn about managing a vegetable farm, but maybe even more helpful for me, as it helps me constantly push myself to find better ways to do my job.” ~ Liz, graduated apprentice and current farm manager and farmer educator at Gwenyn Hill Farm

  
  

• “Amidst two years packed with mentors, resources, and on-the-ground experience, I realized that support was the taproot of the OVFM apprenticeship. The program resembles the resilient farmers I deeply know and care for: both prioritize local webs of support. I'm glad to move on carrying significant trust in our local farm community.” ~Emma, graduated apprentice at Squashington Farm (now working in local conservation)

• "My experience going from an apprentice to a manager was (and is) a very enlightening and fulfilling process. Having the first-hand experience of a first-year apprentice has allowed me to communicate more effectively and share valuable insights with the next generation of apprentices on our team. Now in a manager position I am excited to do whatever I can to build up the farmers coming after me and set them up for success.”  ~ Brian, graduated apprentice and current farm manager and farmer educator at Gwenyn Hill Farm

If you're interested in helping more future farmers get connected with this amazing program, here are three ways to do so:

1. Share this blog post about the program! Tell folks why you're excited about supporting the future veggie growers in our communities.

2. Make a gift to FairShare! Your contribution ensures the next generation of farmers can get the tools and training they need to thrive.

3. Email Sam (sam@csacoalition.org) with questions or comments, or if you are interested in participating in the program as either a host farm or apprentice! We're always happy to talk about our work.

Apprentices at a field day in October