Thompson Okanagan & BC Rockies
Farm #1 - Not taking apprentices in 2008. Farm is being restructured.
This 160 acre, Demeter certified, biodynamic farm is surrounded by Crown forest, 5kms from the historic interior mining town of Kaslo on beautiful Kootenay Lake. The farm grows vegetables for a 60+ share CSA, as well as its own hay and grains and is home to several rare breeds of cows, horses, sheep, chickens, and goats. In addition, there is also an ecoforestry woodlot that uses horse logging techniques. Apprentices have the opportunity to learn about proper care of livestock, butter and cheese making, preserving and breadmaking, carpentry, tractor work, and all aspects of growing according to biodynamic methods from these very experienced farmers. Apprentices live in an old log house with woodstove, laundry and shower.
Farm #2
These farmers share over 50 years farming experience between themselves and currently operate a 25 acre organic farm, 4 miles from the small town of Peachland (1/2 hour from Kelowna) and Okanagan Lake in BC’s Okanagan Valley where they offer an organic farm management apprenticeship. They own livestock including horses and goats for milking from with they make cheese and yogurt. They grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables and berries sold locally to stores, restaurants, and customers, and use their greenhouse to grow gourmet salad mix. Apprentices learn animal husbandry, milking goats, how to prepare soil, weed, plant and harvest crops, haying operations, food preservation, etc. Apprentice would live in a trailer and share vegetarian meals. We have fun as well, swimming, walking, hiking, etc.
Farm #3
Learn to farm in a remote natural setting located near the town of Edgewood in the west Kootenays surrounded by forest, mountains and nearby lakes. This small family farm grows mixed vegetables for their CSA as well as potatoes and garlic. The land is worked by hand with the help of two draft horses. Apprentices can learn about natural building as this family lives in a strawbale house, all aspects of growing, milking and cheese-making, establishing and orchard, canning and homebrewing. Apprentices live in their own trailer – meals can be shared. These farmers are interested in finding land partners.
Farm #4
On this 110 acre Sheep Dairy/Permaculture based farm we raise 50 milking sheep, chickens, rabbits, ducks and pigs. The rich sheep milk is processed into yogurt ,cheese and ice cream which we sell at local markets.April is lambing, quickly leading to milking, along with organic gardening and orcharding, cheese and yogurt production, animal and bird husbandry, integrating farm animals into permaculture systems, food harvesting and storage , home butchering ,working with wool and sheep hides and numerous other farm survival skills too numerous to mention. This is a very hands on experience -one is able to learn all aspects of operating a small scale dairy/mixed farm and how to become semi-self sufficient living off the farm.
Farm #5 - full for 2008; please apply for 2009
This 25-acre farm on the Shuswap River in Mara produces vegetables and berries for a weekly farmer's market, a 120 member CSA and some wholesale customers. Our focus is on practical and efficient production as the farm is the sole source of income for our family and several full-time employees. This is an opportunity to learn about farming as a viable occupation as opposed to exploring self-sufficiency. Apprentices are integrated into the farm team and will have the opportunity work in and learn about all aspects of vegetable growing, including seeding, transplanting, weeding, harvesting and preparation for market. We offer a first year wage of $11.50/hour. On-farm living quarters are limited so applicants should be prepared to seek out accommodation in the surrounding area or one of the nearby towns. A vehicle is recommended, as we are a half hour drive from the nearest sizeable town. There are ample opportunities for hiking, swimming, canoeing and mountain biking in the vicinity.
Farm #6
Join us on our 12 acre certified organic farm located near Enderby in the North Okanagan Shuswap. We are a family farm with 3 small children. We grow a large variety of vegetables and greenhouse tomatoes, which are sold through a C.S.A. program, farmers markets, and local stores. We use horse and tractor power, plus lots of hand work. We also run a small puppet museum on the farm and organize cultural events. Here is an opportunity to learn small scale intensive agriculture.
Farm #7
Established in 1962, this farm has always used organic growing methods. We are located in an environmentally unique area of desert and grassland on the Similkameen River, in southern BC. This area is renowned for its long, hot, dry summers and mild winters. On our farm we choose to cultivate crops that are particularly suited to our distinct growing conditions. This premise aids in water conservation, disease and pest control, and ensures a healthier, tastier product.
Our largest area of ground crop is devoted to varieties of winter squash. We also grow field cucumbers, tomatoes, eggplant, melon, peppers, herbs and fruit, and hothouse cucumbers and tomatoes. Our family’s long standing commitment to producing food using organic methods stems from concern for the environment, and an understanding of the role organic methods have in maintaining a healthy soil, producing nutritious foods, and promoting sustainable agriculture.
You will have separate accommodation (cabins, an RV, tents in season) with full access to the house and amenities. Our diet is seasonal, focused on what we grow, with conscientious omnivorous options (our own eggs, chickens, and wild game). With full season commitment a stipend and production based bonus are possible.
Farm #8
This is a one-acre garden on a 13 acre forested farm near Castlegar. Learn self-sufficient gardening, fruit and nut orchard management, poultry, bees, construction, cooking, homesteading, alternative energy sources, seed saving, and food preservation. Live with the couple in their self built earth-sheltered stone house or camp for a season. Share ideas and eat with this experienced homesteading family, vegetarians ok but prefer not to have vegans.
Farm #9
This isolated farm is located near Kamloops, B.C. in the desert interior on 170 mostly wooded acres with a small apple orchard. Apprentices will learn about growing bedding plants and household cactus plants in the greenhouse as well as growing cool weather vegetable crops outdoors that are sold at a farmers market twice a week. They also do some value added processing with dried flowers and herbs and dried apples. An apprentice would live with the family with their own room. This farm is a great opportunity for anyone who is interested in music or community organizing (storefront organic food co-op and pesticide issues).
Farm #10 - full for 2008; please apply for 2009
Our 12 acre farm is located on the beautiful Shuswap river north of Enderby, BC. On approximately 4 to 5 acres we grow about 40 different vegetables, herbs and berries to sell at the farmers market. Another 5 acres are pasture, trees, river frontage and swamp. Beside our family of four there live various animals on the farm. One dog, several rabbits, a flock of laying hens with rooster, a small herd of dairy goats, and 4 horses. Apprentices learn from a german trained market gardener how to grow and harvest for market as well as animal husbandry, milking goats, making yogurt, preserving food etc. Accommodation is a room in the house, meals are shared with the family. We work a lot but also enjoy swimming, canoeing and horseback riding. No drugs, smoking, or excessive drinking thanks.
Farm #11
Live with the finalists in the Outstanding Young Farmer Program and their 4 young children on a 22.5 acre mixed farm in Cawston. Help grow mixed orchard and ground crops using biodynamic principals. Hike, bike, bird watch, fish, and swim or tube in the Similkemeen river. For sleeping accommodation, you can choose a room in the house, a camper, a trailer or tenting in the orchard. Eat what you grow- delicious meals are mostly from the garden for vegetarian or omnivore appetites enjoyed with the occasional glass of homemade wine. Transportation to & from Vancouver is available. Non-smokers preferred. A graduated stipend is offered.
Farm #12 -- Full for 2008. You may apply for 2009
Live in a very nice, cedar cabin with wraparound covered porch on this 10 acre mixed organic farm just outside the village of Sorrento where there are opportunities for hiking, biking, skiing, climbing, swimming, boating, fishing, etc. This farm grows mixed vegetables, seeds, hops, tree fruits and raises animals. Learn self-sufficient gardening, commercial market gardening, fruit orchard management, greenhouse skills, Crops, pigs, poultry, bees, cooking, homesteading, organic seed growing, garlic growing for market, raising sheep and ducks, hops cultivation for on-farm microbrewery, tours and events for outreach to public . Monthly field days to other organic farms in area through local organic farming association and lots of other opportunities to learn. Stipend available.
Farm #13 - full for 2008, please apply for 2009
Be part of this 13.7 acres farm located just 4 km. south of Armstrong in the north Okanagan Valley. During their 15 plus years of operation, the owners have grown over 40 kinds of organic vegetables plus flavorful strawberries, plums and raspberries.
A generous stipend is available and the possibility of separate housing.
From late April to October, help direct market produce at the Thursday morning Farmers Market by the Multiplex in Vernon, the Friday night market in the Wal-Mart parking lot, and the Armstrong Fairgrounds each Saturday morning. See how to operate a Community Shared Agriciulture Program and a customers u-pick.
Farm #14
Learn market gardening on this 126 acre certified organic working farm located 30 km from Sorrento on Suswap Lake. You will grow a full range of standard and specialty vegetables for home and restaurant delivery businesses both locally and in Vancouver as well as selling to the community through the local farmers market. Interns will learn: CROP PRODUCTION: field preparation, seed selection for continual and 1 time cropping, transplanting by hand and machine, seeding, timely weeding by hand and equipment, harvesting for the farmers market and specialty customers, handling and packing for optimum consumer quality. FIELD CARE: crop rotation, field planning, compost and nutrient needs, irrigation (drip and overhead), insect awareness and pest control, and cover cropping and incorporation. OTHER; seed growing including production , selection and harvesting. food preserving including root cellaring, canning and freezing, basic record keeping and all aspects of running our Farmers Market stand.
Farm #15
Live on 100 acres of mountainside in the South Slocan between Nelson and Castlegar. You will be growing fruit, medicinal and culinary herbs and food and saving seed. You will be growing vegetables for seed, and then eating and preserving the culls. The farm grows their own food, making plant medicines and preserving as much as possible during the busy summer season and also collecting and storing wild berries& wild herbs. This farm has 1 acre in annual cultivation, many wild cherry trees, many fruit and nut trees not yet producing and a wide variety of perennial plantings, a mixture of medicinal and culinary herbs which will grow in our climate. The farm's philosophy is that food is the most important factor that we can control that influences our health. We make food choices several times a day and believe that healthy natural food is by far the best choice. The farmers are not vegeatrians but eat largely vegetarian foods, with an occasional fish or fowl addition, following loosely the macrobiotic philosophy which says your health, your food, your climate are vitally linked.