Farm Apprenticeship program has openings (Orono: transfer, college, salary)

[forest beekeeper]

Farm Apprenticeship program has openings

Maine Organic Farmers & Gardeners Association
Farm Apprenticeship Opportunities. MOFGA's Apprenticeship Program is targeted for young adults, with or without previous farming experience. All are welcome to apply.

The program is explained here:
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association > Programs > Farm Apprenticeships

And a list of farms and what apprenticeship openings each has is listed here:
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association > Programs > Farm Apprenticeships > Apprenticeship Opportunities

They also do a program that tries to line-up vacant farms with Journeyman farmers.

And the CSA network also does some work to line-up old farmers with young farmers, to encourage multi-generational farm transfers. [the farm becomes a corporation with partners; with the old farmer paying the young farmer a salary. After a couple years the old farmer and the young farmer are both partners]

[boredandbroke]

I am really intrested in the apprenticeship. The only problem is "MOFGA's Apprenticeship Program is targeted for young adults". While I am a young adult(23yrs old) I have two childern and a husband. Are there any farms that you know of that are willing and able to accept a family apprentice? Have you seen or heard of them accepting a family? My husband and I would like to have our own farm someday, but we really need a mentor before going at it on our own. Thank you!

[forest beekeeper]

Originally Posted by boredandbroke

I am really intrested in the apprenticeship. The only problem is "MOFGA's Apprenticeship Program is targeted for young adults". While I am a young adult(23yrs old) I have two childern and a husband. Are there any farms that you know of that are willing and able to accept a family apprentice? Have you seen or heard of them accepting a family? My husband and I would like to have our own farm someday, but we really need a mentor before going at it on our own. Thank you!

You really need to talk with the Farms.

That site lists 70+ farms that are currently in their system.

When I was a vendor at the Organic Farmer's Market in Orono, I was approached a few times by college kids wanting to apply here. Our 'farm' is NOT operating an apprenticeship program. However I got the impression that many farms do, they simply are not in the 'program' to do so.

So, in short, #1 contact each farm in the program and ask.

#2 look at the farms that are listed at each community's FM, and ask each of those farms.

We are talking about hundreds of farms. Surely there is a percentage of them who would take you on board.

It is common for a CSA to have apprentices during the summer. Once college lets out, kids flood the farms looking for work, then disappear again when classes start up in the Fall.

I do know of farms, specifically organic dairy / cheesemakers who have complained to me about their helpers leaving in the Fall. So if you wanted to learn about Organic / Artisan cheeses, no doubt there are openings there.

I simply do not produce enough, to support my family, let alone supporting anyone else' family. In time we may be producing enough to justify an apprentice, but not now.

[blueshire]

Wow! Lots of great info on the site! Thanks Forest Bee Keeper! !