Vancouver & Cariboo Farms
Farm #1
Join these self taught farmers on their certified organic 30 acre mixed farm with a shop, three barns, pastures, hay field and vegetable garden. They pride themselves on their self-sufficiency but also put great value in being around more experienced farmers. This is a family with four adult boys who mainly live away from home. Here you can learn about raising chickens for eggs and meat, turkeys, pigs, goats and cows for milk, meat and home cheese and butter making. The three acre market garden supplies local stores & a box delivery service with fresh produce and eggs, also sells farmgate and local farmers market. Near the farm there are beaches, hiking trails and lakes to enjoy.
Farm #2 -Not taking apprentices at this time. You may apply for 2011.
Learn to farm biodynamically on this 175 acre, self-sustaining farm, 25kms from the town of Lilloet, B.C. In this dry microclimate, these farmers have 60 acres in cultivation which includes hay fields and pastures, as well as winter vegetable and root crops for sale in Vancouver. Feeding cows and chickens, tending the garden, haying, construction projects, repairs and harvesting offer apprentices opportunities to experience life on a working farm.
Farm #3
Learn to milk goats and make cheese and yogurt on a 20 acre farm in a rural community 70 kms from Vancouver. This certified organic farm is owned by a homeschooling family with 20 years farming experience. They have 60+ milking goats, a few chickens, pigs, calves, a small vegetable garden, fruit and nut trees and a great library on farming and cheesemaking. Apprentices will live with the family with their own room.
Farm #4
This twenty acre farm is located 70km east of Vancouver. It has fruit and nut trees, wooded areas, coldframes, and fields, two houses, a cabin, and other various outbuildings. A group of ten diverse individuals live on this twenty acre farm co-op that is also linked to a housing co-op in Vancouver. Our common goal is to steward the land in a sustainable manner using organic methods and applying permacultural principals. This urban-rural co-op was started over 25 years ago. For almost twenty of those years, an organic salad company owned by some residents has been growing mixed salad greens, vegetables, and herbs. The land is rich in preserved riparian zones and mixed fruit and nut trees. Apprentices will have an opportunity to learn about all areas of plant care and the economics of running a viable organic farming enterprise. Other areas of potential learning include: no-till agriculture, seed growing, edible landscaping, farmers markets, cooperative land ownership and communal living.
Farm # 5
In the semi-arid wilderness of the Fraser Canyon, tucked into the forest, is a vegetable and fruit farm nourished by pure mountain water. Gabriel and Katie grow a variety of crops for sale at Vancouver Farmers Markets, restaurants, and stores. In addition to many varieties of garlic, onions, basil, peaches, cherries, and plums, they specialize in growing over 50 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Apprentices will have many different learning opportunities such as: seed saving, cover cropping, compost building, preparing each week for deliveries and marketing, canning and drying, and processing salves and tinctures. An apprentice will have their own cabin with kitchen to prepare breakfasts and dinners. The midday meal is shared: omnivorous in nature and organic, of course. A generous stipend is available.
Farm #6
This certified organic, residential cooperative is located on 160 remote acres outside Lillooet where these farmers raise chickens for eggs and meat and goats for milk, cheese, meat and possibly as pack animals. They maintain over 70 varieties of potatoes and specialize in perennial food plants such as tree fruits, nuts and berries that are well suited to the dry, high altitude climate. They generate their own electricity by a small hydro operation. Apprentices could have a room in the house but many people like to sleep outside in which case a camp could be outfitted.
Farm #7
We are a small organic farm situated in the beautiful mountains of the fraser canyon 12 miles from Lytton (Hot spot of Canada!) on the west side of the Fraser River. We've been growing organically for 18 yrs here (garlic, squash, peppers, carrots, onions mainly). Fruit (mostly apples, some cherries, plums, peaches, pears, nuts). Most of our work is hand labour, low tech. We live in a secluded setting aong with our land partners and fellow organic growers on a total of 64 acres. Lots of hiking without seeing other folks. It's a semi desert climate, fairly dry. We have small rustic cabins for apprentices to stay in. No BC hydro, we use solar panels and wind. We are vegetarian, some dairy and eggs. We market most of our produce at farmers markets in Vancouver starting around July . Hectic but fun.
Farm #8
Located between the towns of Williams Lake and Quesnel, this 105 acre farm grows mixed vegetables on 5 acres that are sold through farmers markets and a CSA program. Apprentices can learn about planning, planting, maintaining, and harvesting in the garden. Interested apprentices may also take part in work with horses, writing articles for the weekly CSA newsletter and building projects around the farm. Apprentice would have their own small cabin.
Farm #9
Work with an experienced crew and meet international travelers on this 500-acre commercial farm in transition to organic of fields, forest, and beaver ponds in the beautiful Pemberton meadows. Learn about commercial market gardening, greenhouse work, cattle, farmers market, seed potatoes, bagged greens, and a harvest box program. Formal training includes reading materials, record keeping, financial and organic certification records. Cabin accommodation and a common kitchen where meals are shared.
Farm #10
Home of passionate seed growers, Mojave and William, and a small packeted seed company, Planting Seeds Project, this multiground crop project relates to sustainability through seed growing and distribution for protection and preservation. Thinnings and rouging lead to market produce, where the best stands stay in the field for seed production.
A different sort of twist in agricultural experience!
Isolated locations on the semi-arid soils of the Fraser River canyon, north of Lytton, offer clean mountain water, clean air, intense wind, hot sun, and opportunity for soil building.
Apprentices will have diverse learning opportunities in low tech farming including: greenhousing, soil prep, planting, weeding, compost and compost tea brewing, harvesting and preparing for market, and seed growing: harvesting, drying, and processing as well as baking, food preservation and herbal medicine making. Creative shared vegetarian meals. Some salmon. Summer training workshops are likely available. Ideal hands on for agricultural student or someone dedicated to sustainable organic agriculture. Welcome to tent under the stars, and a small cabin is available.
Farm #11
This Bio-dynamic herb farm in the Upper Fraser Valley farms with diversity and wild plants/herbs. Horticulture interests have been indulged somewhat with greenhouses and walk-in cold frames. Veggies,fruits and nuts, and also outside cats(8), 10 chickens(eggs) and 1 goat called Houdini add to the mix. A unique landscape and one half of farm in forest inspires many planned projects.There are recreational activities in the area. For the apprentice learning opportunities and challenges abound but you can learn organic horticulture, nursery and low environmental impact greenhouse management, herb and plant cultivation and harvesting also herb and plant identification and small scale food raising with Bio-dynamics and composting. Farmers markets in Vancouver and their preparation is also a learned skill. One,two people or a couple are welcome. Surrounded on three sides by mountains and clean rivers nearby in a gardening friendly climate adds to the satisfying work.