apprenticing opportunities
The benefits of a farm apprenticeship are numerous, whether or not you plan to be a farmer yourself. The knowledge that our farmers possess is extremely valuable, and all of us can benefit from knowing as much as possible about growing food in an ecologically sensitive manner. This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who is interested in knowing more about food systems, and who enjoys rolling up their sleeves and spending time outdoors.
There is a wide scope of the different kinds of Canadian farms available to our apprentices. You could choose to work with farmers producing nutritious food for a market garden operation. Discover the enormous potential of growing healthy vegetables in raised beds, using natural fertilizers, and biological pest control. Learn the basics of animal husbandry while apprenticing on a small dairy farm or on the expanse of a large cattle ranch. Experience first hand the advantages that can be gained by working with draft horses or developing the knowledge and skills necessary to properly care for fruit trees. The opportunities are endless.
Apprenticeships are available to anyone over 18 years old who is healthy, self motivated and eager to learn. A time commitment of eight weeks is expected and a full growing season is preferred. Most apprenticeships involve labor in exchange for room, board and the opportunity to learn, although some farms provide a wage or small allowance.
If you are interested in doing an apprenticeship:
- Review the farms offering programs.
- Complete the apprentice application. Submit the application to SOIL online and send in your application fee (CAN $30).
- SOIL will send you a complete description of the farms in which you expressed interest. Use this information to make direct contact with the farm where you wish to do your apprenticeship.
All listings are submitted to this site by farm employers. Stewards of Irreplaceable Land makes no claims of any kind about content, accuracy, suitability, intent, comprehensiveness, or availability of positions. SOIL makes no representations or guarantees about positions listed on its website and is not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions, or other aspects of employment. It is the responsibility of prospective apprentices to take all necessary precautions when interviewing for or accepting positions, and he/she is solely responsible for obtaining necessary information concerning the employers, using caution and common sense. It is the responsibility of host farms to be aware of federal and provincial labour laws related to hiring apprentices and for apprentice training for full on-farm health and safety. SOIL provides the listing only as a public service, and the listings do not imply any recommendation by the organization.
