2024 Apprenticeship Program
Are you interested in a deep dive into the world of sustainable agriculture? Rogue Farm Corps’ Apprenticeship Program is an immersion for aspiring farmers who want to gain significant farming or ranching production experience. Rogue Farm Corps (RFC) partners with established sustainable Host Farms and ranches in Oregon who train, mentor, and supervise aspiring farmers at their operation. Host Farms employ Apprentices as waged employees protected by federal and state labor law. Depending on the farm, either part-time or full-time positions are available. Some Host Farms offer housing on the farm. Start and end dates vary based on the Host Farm, but are generally spring through fall. The details of each situation are different and are laid out in each Host Farm description.
No experience is required to apply, however we recommend that applicants have some prior physical or outdoor work experience if they do not have prior agricultural experience. In addition to the on-farm training experience, Apprentices take the Beginning Farmer Educational Event Series (BFEES) which is a series of classes, farm tours, and discussion circles focused on a broad array of sustainable agriculture and food system topics.
Apprenticeship Program participants are exposed to farm knowledge, networks, and expertise through engaging in the daily life of an agricultural community via their Host Farm.
NOTE: By nature of the direct relationship between Apprentices and Host Farmers, RFC cannot endorse or mediate experiences or relationships between Apprentices and Host Farmers. RFC supports Apprentices and Host Farmers but does not get involved in disputes or conflicts.
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Rogue Farm Corps is committed to an ongoing learning process around privilege, power, inequality and systems of oppression. RFC is working to ensure that our programs are welcoming and accessible to communities who are under-represented or face additional barriers in becoming farm operators in Oregon, including women, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, low-income individuals and immigrants. Our desire to create a more equitable food system is reflected in RFC’s programs and collaborations. You can read our Equity Statement here.
WHAT DOES A HOST FARM PROVIDE TO APPRENTICES?
Please see the details in each Host Farm listing for information about compensation and any housing, food, or other benefits offered. Apprentices are hired as seasonal hourly employees of the host farm. Host Farmers provide an orientation, training, experience, and mentorship in a variety of tasks integral to the day-to-day operation of their business, answer Apprentice questions, provide feedback and check-in opportunities, and two evaluations. Apprentices become integral to the Host Farm operations during the production season.
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS: CLASSES, FARM TOURS, AND DISCUSSIONS
To augment the training and experiences at Host Farms, Apprentices join other beginning farmers for an Educational Event Series facilitated by Rogue Farm Corps. Program events run April - October approximately 4 times each month at regular days/times. Some events are held virtually, especially during the summer wildfire season. In April, May, and June we facilitate three weekend intensives of in-depth workshops, farm tours, networking, and camping. Apprentices at satellite Host Farms outside of the Portland, Rogue Valley, and Willamette Valley regions typically join the online events and the weekend intensives (see our sample schedule here), but may attend additional in-person classes if desired.
The full event series includes:
24 classes focused on foundational sustainable agriculture concepts, skills, and knowledge and the food system.
7-10 farm tours which showcase practical skills and individual farmers’ stories, as well as provide insight into diverse production and marketing systems.
3-5 discussion circles with topics including Food Justice / Food Sovereignty and Next Steps for Beginning Farmers.
RFC strives to make all educational events inclusive and welcoming to people from all backgrounds and identities. Classes, tours, and discussions are led by Rogue Farm Corps staff, agricultural professionals, and expert farmers.
For more information on the events, please visit our event series page and sample schedule.
TYPES OF AGRICULTURE
Rogue Farm Corps trains beginning farmers in sustainable, regenerative, ecological, and organic farming. Our partner Host Farms practice these production methods. Host farm enterprises vary by farm and include plant-based production (vegetables, herbs, fruit, seeds, etc) and animal-based production (meat, dairy, eggs, etc). Host Farms are commercial, small-to-mid scale operations marketing to their local and regional community via a range of sales channels including farmers market, CSA, wholesale, and more. RFC participants are exposed to various farm production and marketing systems via RFC’s farm tour events.
GRADUATE SUPPORT
Rogue Farm Corps staff will support program graduates with regular check-ins after graduation in order to help connect graduates with resources, create and update goals, and further graduates’ objectives as they continue along their farming trajectory.
PROGRAM FEES, SCHOLARSHIPS, & PAYMENT DATES
The Apprenticeship Program has a fee of $800 for those in the Portland, Rogue Valley, and Willamette Valley areas who will be coming to the full series of events. “Distanced” apprentices at satellite Host Farms outside of the chapter locations pay $550 for the full-season as they attend fewer events. Short-season Apprentices who start late or end early will have pro-rated fees based on the number of events they will attend. Fees help cover the costs associated with coordinating the event series and supporting Host Farmers and program participants.
Rogue Farm Corps has scholarships for fee assistance available with priority given to participants who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color), LGBTQIA+, veterans, impacted by the carceral system, and low-income participants. Please indicate any scholarship request on your application and visit our Scholarship Page for more information.
Upon accepting a placement offer at a Host Farm, participants pay RFC a $100 non-refundable deposit toward their total fee. The remainder of the program fee is due at the completion of the on-farm trial period. We are happy to create an extended payment plan with you if that is helpful, please let us know.
TRIAL PERIOD
There is a trial period at the beginning of each Apprentice position, as the Host Farmer and Apprentice make sure the relationship is a good fit for all. If one or both parties decides to terminate the Apprenticeship during the trial period, the remainder of the RFC tuition that has not been paid yet is not owed. Trial periods are typically 30-45 days from the start date of the position.
APPLY
APPRENTICESHIP APPLICATIONS FOR 2024 ARE NOW CLOSED.
QUESTIONS?
Please email us at training@roguefarmcorps.org