Regenerative Farming / Agriculture

Position: Regenerative Farm Apprenticeship
Program: Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program
Location: Opportunities in Western Canada (BC & Prairies). Open to applicants from across Canada.

Young Agrarians (YA) and our network of exceptional Host Farms are offering hands-on farm apprenticeships in regenerative agriculture. Individuals with a serious interest, curiosity and commitment to a full-time farming season are invited to apply. No prior experience is required, only a strong interest in learning.

Opportunities across Western Canada are available in livestock, horticulture, grain, flowers, and more.

Applicants may indicate on their application their Top 3 Host Farms from BC, AB, SK or MB.

Farm activities will be different on each farm, but the core activities will involve caring for soil, plants, and livestock, farm direct marketing, and sustainable farming practices for grain, vegetables, meat, eggs, and fiber production. Wages usually range between minimum wage and $22 per hour. Apprenticeships are usually 4-8 months long with most starting in May and ending in the fall; the length of the apprenticeship is arranged between the apprentice and Host Farm.

YA Apprenticeship Program coordinators help match eligible applicants with select Host Farms in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, and provide support throughout the application and hiring process. Applicants are selected by Host Farms to be interviewed following the application process, with support from coordinators provided for both Apprentices and Host Farms to ensure appropriate matches are created. Coordinators provide support to both apprentices and Host Farm throughout the apprenticeship and organize educational farm tours during the summer open to apprentices to help them build their farming network.

Job requirements:

• Keen interest to learn about farming
• Able and willing to do physical work outdoors in all weather
• Driver’s license and a car is an asset (not required for all farms but gives apprentice flexibility)
• No previous farming experience required

Each of the Young Agrarian Apprenticeships is physically, emotionally, and intellectually challenging. In most cases, you will be the only apprentice or worker at the farm where you will be working and learning.

If accepted into the program you will likely:

• Work outside in all weather conditions doing physical, repetitive, and, at times, monotonous activities.
• Live in a rural, possibly remote place (some farms are much closer to urban centers than small towns. If being close to an urban center is important to you please apply to farms near a city.)
• Live in close proximity to your farm hosts and respect their homes and property.
• Work closely with your host farm daily, and transition to independent work as skills and ability allow.
• Maintain high work quality standards even when working independently.
• Have time off to attend to personal matters during your apprenticeship.
• Learn a tremendous amount about yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses.
• Learn how an ecological agriculture operation works, and if a career in agriculture is really for you.

Young Agrarians recognizes the Indigenous lands and territories that we work on and alongside, and we are committed to providing programs that are inclusive and available to farmers and friends of diverse backgrounds. For more information, please visit: youngagrarians.org/resources/equity/

Visit the link below to learn more about the program and the farms looking for apprentices: https://youngagrarians.org/programs/apprenticeship-program/

Please mention you saw this at FoodWork.ca.