The goal of the apprenticeship program at Soil Born Farms is to provide a training ground for aspiring urban farmers and gardeners by teaching the basic concepts and practical applications of organic food production, and to use agriculture as a platform to show how alternative food systems tie into the larger social issues of food security, social justice, and public health.

About the Program

Apprentices will be exposed to every aspect of food production on either smaller-scale market gardening or field-scale agriculture. They will learn about propagation, irrigation, soil management, harvesting, and marketing through a combination of hands on learning and structured classes. Although most of the time is spent working on the farm, apprentices are required to work with the surrounding community and participate in our education and food access projects. This blend of technical training and community involvement is what makes our program a unique and enriching experience for all involved.

Apprentices will work and live on either one of two urban farm sites. The Hurley farm is a 1.5 acre market garden, applying hand scale bio-intensive gardening methods, while the American River Ranch is a 25 acre ranch in its developmental stage, using field scale agricultural techniques. Each site offers a very different farm experience and prospective apprentices will be placed according to their interests, experience and positions available.

Apprentices work from March 15 to November 1. Produce is distributed in the county of Sacramento through farmers markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), produce stands, and restaurant and retail store sales. A significant portion of all food production is be subsidized and sold to low income residents.

Compensation: $300 monthly stipend, staple food goods and food from the farm, and housing onsite.

Apprentice Training and Instruction

1. Hands-on Training
   Most of the instruction on organic farming techniques will come in the form of traditional apprentice style learning. The farm manager will work closely with the apprentices running daily activities on the farm. In this type of learning environment the apprentices will have the ability to observe and ask questions throughout the day about anything related to ecological farming, and the manager will give impromptu lessons in the field on related topics.
2. Apprentice Rotations
   Each apprentice is expected to do a six-week rotation on each of three managerial aspects of the farm operation. They will be given two weeks of guidance and instruction in each of the rotations and then given the responsibility of running that portion of the farm operation for the next four weeks. These rotations are designed to give the apprentices a management perspective. The three rotations (pest and disease managament; irrigation and bed preparation; and harvest coordination and marketing) encompass much of the farm operation. When the rotations have been completed the apprentices will have a better sense of how the farm operates as a whole system as opposed to disparate parts.
3. Classes
   Although most of the teaching and instruction will be informal training in the field, some formal classes will be held. There will be several classes on basic concepts of ecological farm management that will directly relate to what is happening on the farm at a particular part of the season. These classes will be taught by the farm manager and occasionally guest lecturers.
4. Farm Tours
   Once a month the farm staff will visit a local organic farm. These farm tours allow apprentices to see different agricultural scales and techniques and to connect with other professionals in their field.
5. Project Participation
   Apprentices will have the opportunity to be involved in some of the education and food access projects in which the non-profit is engaged. Apprentices will assist the youth coordinator in instructing middle and high school students on crop production, food preparation, and leadership exercises. They may also work at the farmers market stand at the community market in Del Paso Heights, or participate in other food access projects.

How to Apply

Please note: All apprenticeship positions for the 2008 season are filled.

To submit an apprenticeship application via U.S. mail:
Download the pdf version of the application, fill it out, and mail it to:

Soil Born Farms
Attn: Marco Franciosa – Farms Director
3000 Hurley Way
Sacramento, CA 95864

To submit an apprenticeship application via email:
Download the Microsoft Word version of the application, fill it out, and email it to Marco Franciosa – Farms Director, at mfranciosa@soilborn.org.

Please submit a resume with the application, and state on your application whether you are interested in the market garden or field-scale position.