Organic Veg Apprenticeship – Wisconsin Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship Program

Last Updated On: diciembre 2nd, 2022 at 09:06AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
Wisconsin
Unit 1B
Varies, Wisconsin, 53703

Primary Contact: Sarah Janes Ugoretz
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 6082260300
    Email: sarah@csacoalition.org

Website: https://www.csacoalition.org/apprenticeship

Internship information

General Farm Description: Are you interested in learning the skills and knowledge required to be an organic vegetable farm manager or owner? The Wisconsin Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship Program is accepting apprentice applications for the 2022 cohort.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: Spring 2023
Internship Ends: Fall 2024
Number of Internship Available: Various
Application Deadline: 5/1/23
Minimum Length of Stay: 2 full growing seasons

Internship Details:

Are you interested in learning the skills and knowledge that will help you become an organic vegetable farm manager or owner? The Wisconsin Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship Program is accepting apprentice applications for the 2023 season.

This competency-based program spans two growing seasons and includes both on-the-job training as well as classroom instruction. Registered with the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, this apprenticeship program is the first of its kind in the country! 

Under the guidance of their farmer educator, apprentices will work to satisfy 13 core competencies: Manage Fields, Propagate Transplants, Seed and Transplant Crops, Maintain Crops, Control Weeds, Control Pests and Diseases, Harvest Crops, Perform Post-harvest Handling, Operate Farm Equipment and Tools, Maintain Farm Equipment and Tools, Review Farm Production Plan, Assist with Managing Employees, and Perform Marketing and Customer Service. A Job Book, which details the tasks associated with each of these competencies, will guide the apprentice and farmer educator through this process. 

Apprentices are paid an hourly wage during on-the-job training and for the 144 hours of classroom instruction. Three required courses – Organic Farm Systems, Production-Related Farm Management, and Farm Business Management and Marketing – are taught through the Wisconsin Technical College System and introduce apprentices to content that is better suited to the classroom setting. 

Hourly wages, benefits and accommodations—such as on-farm housing—vary by farm. 

FairShare CSA Coalition, the program sponsor, works to match potential apprentices with approved farmer educators across the state of Wisconsin. Apprentices receive ongoing support from the program manager, including opportunities to engage in field days and networking with other farms.

Interested apprentices may visit the program website for more information or complete this General Interest Form to get started. You may also email the program manager directly at sarah@csacoalition.org to share any questions, learn about participating farms, or set up a time to talk. Thank you for your interest!

 

Educational Opportunities: Apprentices receive an hourly wage for the 144 hours they spend on 3 required courses through the Wisconsin Tech College. On-farm field days throughout the state provide additional opportunities for hands-on learning and community-building with other apprentices and farmers. Apprentices also have access to farm manager leadership training, racial justice training, and regional organic farming conferences.

Skills Desired: Minimum skills requirements vary by farm. Many farmers are willing to work with and train apprentices who may not have prior experience in vegetable production but who are dedicated and eager to learn.

Meals: Meals vary by farm. Many farms do offer free vegetables.

Stipend: Apprentices receive an hourly wage for all on-farm work (which is 90% of the program) and for the 144 hours they spend on required classes. The program manager helps apprentices apply for reimbursements offered through the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards.

Housing: Housing availability varies by farm

Preferred method of Contact: Email or call