Host Farm Listing

Farms Hosting Apprentices
Host Farms use organic/sustainable practices, have been in business for at least 2 years, and want to share their farming knowledge.
Farms arranged alphabetically: 

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Farm: BADSEED Farmers Market/URBAVORE Project
Farmer(s):  Brooke Salvaggion and Dan Heryer
Location:  Kansas City, MO
Contact:  brooke@badseedfarm.com
Apprenticeship opportunities:  Part time w/housing and volunteer.

New life is emerging on Kansas City’s East Side; a living, breathing organism that both feeds from and provides food for its urban surroundings.  BADSEED Farm moved up the food chain, and is taking root on new land and in the new form of URBAVORE.

URBAVORE is presently seeking part-time apprentices and volunteer apprentices for the 2012 growing season to aid in the creation of one of the largest and most diverse urban farms in the nation.  This season, apprentices are tasked with much more than assisting to produce a crop of vegetables; they must also help to establish infrastructure, perennial fruit plantings, animal pastures and diverse natural habitats on 13 acres of raw land only 8 miles from downtown Kansas City.  In exchange for 30 hours of labor weekly, URBAVORE will provide part-time apprentices with free accommodation at BADSEED’s downtown storefront (fully equipped with a commercial kitchen and comfortable amenities), a share of the farm’s bounty, and many opportunities for learning.  Apprentices will develop skills in no-till, “beyond-organic” vegetable production, integrated livestock management, orchard planting & tree crop maintenance, windrow composting, direct marketing, food preservation, homesteading skills, and more.

Relevant skills and qualifications in farming and building are desired, but not required.  We require part-time apprentices to complete the full season schedule from March 1 through October 31.  We can offer volunteer apprentices more flexibility with scheduling and hours.

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Farm: Bear Creek Farms
Farmer: Jim, Robbins and Lonnie Hail
Location: Osceola, MO
Contact: robbinshail@hotmail.com  417-282-5894
Apprenticeship opportunities: part or full time possible - call to discuss.

Bear Creek Farms is a certified organic vegetable farm in rural St. Clair county - 10 miles outside Osceola, MO and 100 miles south of Kansas City.  Room and board may be available.  We have approximately 10 acres of mixed vegetables, fruit and herbs.  We specialize in heirloom tomatoes.  Most of our produce is sold wholesale to Whole Foods and sometimes through a farmers' market.  We also have cattle and horses on the farm. If you have some experience with farming or outdoor work and are looking for experience on a farm that will prepare you for mid-scale production, consider apprenticing at Bear Creek.  Apprentices on our farm must be dependable employees, with a commitment to farming and all the work that it involves. Our apprentice will be paid a stipend plus room and board. Volunteers also welcome! 

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Farm: Blue Door Farm
Farmer(s): Laura Christensen
Location:  Kansas City, KS
Contact: bluedoorfarm@gmail.com  or 816-805-0362
Apprenticeship opportunities: Volunteer, 4-8 hrs a week

Blue Door is a certified organic vegetable farm in Kansas City, KS.  Blue Door began in 2007, after I completed the GG apprenticeship program, and I'm happy to work with apprentices.  Currently I can only offer volunteer apprenticeships, but opportunities for some paid hours may be available, especially in March, April and May. I grow a wide variety of vegetables and herbs and sell through a CSA and at the Brookside Farmers' Market.  Apprentices will have the chance for hands-on learning of field and high tunnel production, greenhouse work, CSA management and certified organic production.  Apprentices will share vegetables, hard work and occasional CSA or market duties.  Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays are ideal days for apprentices to work, but other days are also possible.

Blue Door Farm is 5 minutes from I-635, and about 15 minutes from downtown KCMO, so I am a quick drive from most points in the KC area.  Feel free to contact me with any questions.

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Farm: Fair Share Farm
Farmer(s): Tom Ruggieri and Rebecca Graff
Location: Kearney, MO
Contact: rebecca@fairsharefarm.com  or  816-320-3763
Website: www.fairsharefarm.com
Apprenticeship opportunities: Full time paid with housing and volunteer positions available.

We welcome those interested in either an apprenticeship or volunteering for the 2011 season. This will be the ninth year of operation of Fair Share Farm. The farm uses organic practices to grow a wide range of vegetables, fruit, and herbs for the farm's 100-member CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). CSA membership involvement is very high on our farm, giving apprentices and volunteers a unique opportunity to see community farming in action. The farm is located in northeastern Clay County, about 45 minutes north of downtown Kansas City. We were apprentices ourselves before starting our farm and feel we can offer a great experience of what it is like to start a farm after learning the trade through apprenticeships. In 2011 we have one opening for a full-time paid apprentice - app. 40 hours per week. Housing on the farm and a share of produce plus any extras that are available are included.  We can also take some volunteer apprentices.

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Farm: Green Dirt Farm
Farmer(s): Jacque Smith and Sarah Hoffman
Location: Weston, MO
Contact: (816) 824-7784 or (816) 210-4362, email: jacque@greendirtfarm.com
Website: www.greendirtfarm.com
Apprenticeship opportunities: 2 paid positions, one full time, one part time. Volunteer opportunities also available.

We are looking for apprentices interested in learning about farmstead sheep's milk cheese making.  We are a grass based dairy and creamery located in Weston, Missouri.  Our farm encompasses a permaculture philosophy as a way to build sustainability on our farm.  Our main products are grass-fed lamb and farmstead cheeses.  We sell directly to customers at farmers markets and to local restaurants.  Along with our flock of sheep, we also have chickens to help with soil fertility.  We keep bees to help pollinate our pasture grasses and flowers which gives our milk its unique taste.  We maintain a small garden and an orchard of apple and peach trees that are fertilized by our flocks. 

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Farm: Hoyland Farm
Farmer(s): Bob Lominska
Location: Lawrence, KS
Contact: rlominska@aol.com 785-842-5697
Apprenticeship opportunities: Volunteer

Hoyland farm is an established organic farm north of Lawrence.  We have been growing organically since 1976.  We market through Rolling Prairie Farmers Alliance, the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, and do some wholesaling to stores and restaurants.  We are a father - son operation.  We have had a volunteer GG apprentice in '08 and '09.  At this point we are not sure what our labor needs are going to be.  We do know we can always use volunteer help that could easily evolve into part time paid work.  We grow 3 or 4 acres of vegetables plus some fruit.

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Farm: Gibbs Road Farm
Farmer(s): Alicia Ellingsworth, Farm Manager
Location: Kansas City, KS
Contact: alicia@cultivatekc.org  913-831-2444
Website: www.cultivatekc.org
Apprenticeship opportunities: Several paid and volunteer positions.

The Gibbs Road Farm is run by Cultivate Kansas City (formerly the Kansas City Center for Urban Agriculture), a non-profit organization that promotes community-based urban farming.  Gibbs Road Farm is a certified organic vegetable farm; we grow on a little more than 2 acres of land in Kansas City, KS, less than 15 minutes from downtown KC.  We have 5 high tunnels and a large greenhouse used cooperatively by a number of growers; we sell through the Farmers' Community Market at Brookside and through a 40-member CSA. We have four paid apprenticeship positions open; they are 20-40 hours a week, mornings and a full day on Friday and 2-3 Saturdays a month. We would consider volunteer apprentices. Please email to set up an interview. 

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Farm: Maggie's Farm
Farmer(s): Barbara Clark
Location: Lawrence, KS
Contact: maggiesfarm@sbcglobal.net  785-842-4102
Apprenticeship opportunities: Volunteer and paid, part time

Maggie's Farm is a small, sustainable family farm that specializes in high-value vegetable production and maintains a handspinner's flock of sheep. Our farm integrates livestock production (wool) with our vegetable production through compost making. We sell through farmers' market, direct to restaurants and grocers. All aspects of production and marketing can be learned.

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Farm: Moon on the Meadow
Farmer(s): Jill Elmers
Location: Lawrence, KS
Contact: jelmers@cfaconsulting.com 785-749-1197
Apprenticeship opportunities: Volunteer and paid, part time

Moon on the Meadow is a certified organic vegetable farm just on the edge of the east city limit of Lawrence. We farm three acres of a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and some small fruit. We sell our products at the Downtown Lawrence Farmers' Market and a CSA in Topeka and Kansas City.  We are looking for reliable apprentices who enjoy hard work.  Room and board is not available. We are an easy commute from Kansas City, and would love volunteers as well. 


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Farm: Pickings and Pumpkins
Farmer(s): Nancy Kalman
Location: Spring Hill, KS
Contact: nakalman@embarqmail.com   913-592-5438 
Apprenticeship opportunities: Volunteer

 Pickings and Pumpkins is owned and operated by a retired teacher.  This will be the eighth year of operating the farm.  We grow a variety of vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers using pesticide-free and sustainable practices.  We start our own plants and utilize a high-tunnel for season extension. The 10 acre farm is located just south of Olathe, Kansas.  I have enjoyed working with three apprentices as a part of the Growing Growers program.

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Farm: Pinwheel Farm Update pending
Farmer(s): Natalya Lowther
Location: Lawrence, KS
Contact: natalyalowther@hotmail.com 785-979-6786
Web: www.pinwheelfarm.blogspot.com
Apprenticeship opportunities: call for details.

Pinwheel Farm is a 12 acre, almost urban, sustainable farm on the North Lawrence city limits. Purchase of neighboring property in late 2007 will facilitate rapid expansion of on-farm sales and educational/recreational activities in 2008. Production enterprises vary from year to year, but ideally include vegetables; fruit, honey; sheep for milk, meat, and wool; and poultry for eggs and meat. These are sold at the farm, at the Downtown Lawrence Farmers' Market, and to local restaurants and retail outlets. We are not seeking organic certification, but our only purchased inputs are seed, lime, and animal feed and health needs. Our amazing soil allows us to grow great vegetables with little or no tillage (we till by hand) or irrigation. Waste hay from the sheep is used as mulch/sheet compost in the garden. We also do value-added crafts with our wool (yarn, felt, hand-knits) and make soap. Educating people about sheep, gardening, crafts, ecology, the environment and sustainable living in general is an important part of our activities, both on-farm and at the market. Lot of flexibility and potential for folks to take initiative within our established schedules, operational policies and development plan. Pinwheel Farm is non-smoking, clean, sober, and TV/media free; we welcome people of all cultures, faiths, orientations, and abilities. We are looking for one or two essentially full time partners/interns to share the operation/profits, either short or long term, as well as volunteer apprentices. Room and board available immediately. Our season begins in early February (preparing for Sheep Shearing Day and lambing) and ends in mid-December (DLFM Holiday Market and winterizing) so contact us as soon as possible. Main work days are mornings, Thursdays, and Sundays. Saturday morning is critical. Start when you can, but commitment to finish the season is required.

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Farm: Prairie Birthday Farm
Farmer(s): Linda Hezel R.N., Ph.D
Location: Kearney, MO
Contact: lindahezel@aol.com  816 781-9654
Apprenticeship opportunities: Volunteer, flexible days and times

Prairie Birthday Farm is a 15-acre, biodiverse, sustainable farm and land stewardship effort, which strives to mimic nature in a permaculture design.  It includes heirloom and wild fruit and nut trees and bushes; tall grass prairie (as habitat for beneficial insects, amphibians, and birds), honeybees; permanent raised-bed heirloom vegetable gardens; a culinary herb and edible flower garden; as well as bramble/vine gardens.  Pastured chickens and ducks as well as rotation-paddock pastures for two horses provide for on-farm compost production. This rich diversity collectively produces food that is abundant, artisanal, culturally stimulating, nutritionally concentrated and profoundly healthful. Produce is sold to area residents and chefs at leading restaurants. The name, Prairie Birthday Farm was born of these words of wisdom:   “Tell me of what plant birthday a man takes notice, and I shall tell you a good deal about his vocation, his hobbies, his hay fever, and the general level of his ecological education” (A. Leopold, A Sand County Almanac, Prairie Birthday Essay, 1949).

Volunteers, working elbow to elbow with Farmer Linda, are compensated with rich learning experiences which may include, but are not limited to: fruit, vegetable, herb and flower production; poultry husbandry; soil building; honey bee hosting; native prairie; research; and tours.  Learning objectives are customized to meet the volunteers' goals.  Previous apprentice references are available.

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Farm: Sandheron Farm
Farmer(s): Stu Schaefer
Location: Oskaloosa, KS 
Contact: sandheron@wildblue.net
Apprenticeship opportunities:

Sandheron Farm is about 10 miles north of Lawrence, and has about five acres in vegetable and small fruit production and a small mixed tree fruit orchard. We not certified organic only because we are small enough that the certification fee is not cost effective for us. We are a member grower in Rolling Prairie Farmers Alliance, and most of our produce is sold through that CSA. We are willing to work with either paid or volunteer apprentices, but we cannot provide room and board.


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Farm: Spring Creek Farm
Farmer(s): Stephanie Thomas     
Location: Baldwin City, KS
Contact: 785-633-5292, springcreekcsa@yahoo.com
Apprenticeship opportunities: Paid, part time and volunteer

Spring Creek Farm is a sixth-year farm near Baldwin City that uses organic and sustainable growing practices. We grow a small amount of berries and a large variety of vegetables, greens and roots. About 90% of the varieties we grow are heirloom. We have three hoop houses in production. Our cultivated field space is approximately 2 acres. Our market consists of sales to natural groceries and several restaurants in Lawrence and Topeka, the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, and a CSA of approx. 25 distributed in Baldwin City and Gardner, KS. We can offer a paid apprentice 20+ hours weekly, and also desire a volunteer apprentice. We do not offer room and board.

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Farm: Urban Soul and Soil
Farmer(s): Beverly Pender
Location: Kansas City, KS
Contact: 913-321-9341
Apprenticeship opportunities: Volunteer

This is an urban farm located on several lots in Kansas City, KS that produces vegetables, tree fruit, and canned goods, growing almost exclusively heirloom varieties.  Bev sells at a farm stand on-site, through the KCK Greenmarket, the Merriam Market, and the North Kansas City Market, and through a delivery service to seniors. Considering growing on multiple, small urban lots?  Urban Soul and Soil is a great place to learn.

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Farm: Wood Mood
Farmer(s): Jim, Mary and Alex Wood
Location: Higginsville, MO
Contact: woodmood@ctcis.net  660-584-3552
Apprenticeship opportunities: call for details

Wood Mood is located approx. 55 miles from KC downtown area.  They have been certified organic since 1994. Their diverse farm includes vegetables, cattle, a laying flock, feed corn production and 20 acres of hay.  50 total acres are certified organic. High tunnels are used for vegetable production. They sell vegetables, eggs and meat to local restaurants.
A position may be available for a motivated, hard worker or couple who is seriously considering farming as a career.