First Steps in Becoming an Apprentice

Apprenticing, like farming, can be an incredible experience.  You will learn alot about farming, working and about yourself.  It will be at times fun, exhausting, boring and thrilling.  It will not be an easy experience.  Farming isn't easy.

Apprenticing is a learning experience.  Workshops, farm tours, texts and one-on-one training sessions focus on teaching apprentices, but much of what they learn will be in the field.  Because of this, field work forms the core of the apprenticeship.  Apprentices are expected to be dependable, responsible, hard workers.  Host farmers will give apprentices on-the-job training, but then expect apprentices to take that training and put it into practice to get work done.

Our host farms are small businesses that rely heavily on a small number of employees.  An apprenticeship is a serious commitment; you are a field laborer on your host farm.  Your time, labor and effort can have a big impact on your host farm.

The workshop and farm tour series is also a key part of the apprenticeship.  Be prepared to travel to a different farm around the KC and Lawrence areas once a month.

If a Growing Growers Apprenticeship interests you, the first thing you should do is consider whether you are willing and able to commit to a full season (March-September) of being a reliable, hard working farm laborer.  Different host farms will have different labor needs; some may need 4 hours a week, others 40.  Some may want you to work Saturdays, others weekdays.  Finding a host farm that is a good match with you is a big step. The Host Farm/Apprentice Liason (Laura) can help you with this, but first:

Look over our host farm listing to get an idea of the possibilities.  Things to consider as you look at the host farm list:

1) Do they grow crops you are interested in?

2) Are they looking for a PT or FT apprentice?  Do they hire apprentices as paid laborers or do they only accept volunteers?  Do you need a paid position or would you consider a volunteer position? 

3) How many hours are you available per week?

4) Where are host farms located? Would you be willing to regularly commute there? Do they have on-farm housing?

5) What do you want to "get" from your apprenticeship?

Next, if you think an apprenticeship would work for you and there are at least a couple host farms that interest you, fill out an application. 

You can find a copy of the 2012 Apprenticeship Application here. 

Keep a copy of your application to share with potential host farms, and email a copy to growers@ksu.edu or mail a copy to 35320 W. 135th St., Olathe, KS 66061.  Please be sure to include $25 as an application fee.  Applications without an application fee will not be considered.  Checks can be made out to Growing Growers.

Now, either contact host farms that interest you and ask about apprenticeship opportunities, or contact Laura, the Farm/Apprentice Liason (growers@ksu.edu or [816] 805-0362) with questions or for help finding a good host farm "match".  When you talk to potential host farms, don't be afraid to ask lots of questions; host farms and potential apprentices need to share one another's expectations about the coming season.

Found a host farm?  Contact Laura immediately and ask to be approved as a GG Apprentice.  Apprenticeships will be approved on a rolling basis, with final approvals in early March.