Our workshops are open to the public and are appropriate for anyone interested in growing.  We try to offer a range of workshops covering "Market Farming 101" topics.  We focus on practices and a scale of production suitable for a market farmer.  Participants typically include apprentices, new or experienced growers and others who are interested in the particular topic or who are considering trying to farm. 

If you would like to attend a workshop or have any questions, please let us know. 

Email growers@ksu.edu for information or to pre-register. 

Upcoming workshops:

Plant Propagation and Production Planning
includes farm tour of Gibbs Road Farm and Community Greenhouse
Monday, March 5th - please register by March 1st.
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Location: Masters Community Church, 2548 S 42nd St., Kansas City, KS
Cost: $15

This workshop covers the basics of planning field maps, scheduling plantings and making sure crops get off to a good start. Cary Rivard, vegetable specialist with K-State Research and Extension, will address transplant production options and basic seed starting. Then Daniel Dermitzel and Alicia Ellingsworth of Cultivate KC will review their production planning methods and host a tour of the 2 acre, certified organic Gibbs Road Farm and Community Greenhouse.

Understanding and Managing Soil
includes a farm tour of Conway's Produce
Saturday, April 14th -please register by April 5th.
10:00 am to 3:30 pm

Location: Kansas City Kansas Community College, Leavenworth campus, 225 Cherokee, Leavenworth, KS
Cost: $30 (includes lunch)

This workshop will address the basis for successful farming - healthy soil.  Rhonda Janke of K-State University will introduce us to the structure and qualities of soil, how to build and maintain soil health and nutrient management. Simple "at home" soil quality tests will be discussed, as well as laboratory soil testing. Paul Conway of Conway's Produce will discuss how he uses cover cropping to build and maintain soil quality on his market farm, then host a tour of his farm where we can see concepts in action.

Check back soon for more information on upcoming workshops. 

Additional Growers 2012 Workshops include:

May - Equipment for Vegetable Growers

June - Introduction to Fruit Production

July - Post Harvest Handling

August #1 - Pest, Disease and Weed Management

August #2 - High Tunnels and Season Extension

October - First Steps in Farm Business Planning

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.

We select apprentices by the end of March.  Apprenticeships generally begin in March and April and run through September or October, depending on the host farm’s needs.

 In 2012, we will charge a non-refundable training fee of $500.  A limited number of scholarships are available. This fee includes all workshops, tours, texts and training hours.
 

What makes up an apprenticeship?

Field work is a large component of the apprenticeship, because it is also a large component of farming.  Some farms include apprentices in their marketing and sales (farmers market, CSA packaging or delivery, restaurant sales, etc.).

Classes and reading can only take you so far.  On your host farm you'll go a step beyond, and get a real sense of the skills needed to work through the challenges and changes of a farm through the growing season.

 
Workshops & Farm tours are held monthly, March through November, and cover topics relevant to sustainable farming. A list of workshops can be found here.  These workshops include presentations by local farmers, extensions agents and other experts.   Over the course of the season, workshops introduce ideas that help apprentices learn not only about growing food, but about how to plan a basic farm business.

Apprentices are required to attend 6 core workshops and at least 2 other Growing Growers elective workshops, agricultural conferences or professional meetings. These electives allow apprentices to explore specific interests that may not be part of the core workshops.

Workshops move around the metro area and almost always involve a farm tour.  Apprentices need to cover the cost of driving to workshops that may be as far as two hours away from their host farm.

 
One-on-One Training.  In addition to training during the course of the work day, apprentices receive 8-10 hours of focused, specific training from their host farmer(s).  This training is a way for host farmers to share the specifics of their farm with apprentices. Topics can include anything from budgeting to beekeeping.

Curious?  Click here for a description of some past one-on-one training sessions.

Books and Informational Materials are handed out over the course of the season and cover business planning, equipment, soils, pests and disease management and other topics relevant to start-up growers.  If apprentices fail to attend a workshop, they may not receive the materials associated with that workshop.

Please print at least two copies. 

Mail one, along with a $25 application fee (checks made out to Growing Growers), to:

Growing Growers

35230 W 135th St.

Olathe, KS 66061

Keep a copy of your application handy to share with potential host farms.

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.

Kansas State University Research and Extension -

http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/

University of Missouri Extension -

http://extension.missouri.edu/

Lincoln University Cooperative Extension -

http://www.lincolnu.edu/web/cooperative-extension/cooperative-extension

Kansas City Food Circle -

http://www.kcfoodcircle.org/

Kansas Rural Center -

http://www.kansasruralcenter.org/

Cultivate Kansas City -

http://www.cultivatekc.org/