The application deadline for the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program has been extended to March 1.
The program is looking for aspiring farmers that want to gain the skills and knowledge they need for running and operating a farm day to day. Applicants are placed with a farm mentor that will be offering advanced and hands on farming experience. Farm activities will vary from each farm, but the core activities will involve care of soil, pasture, livestock, direct marketing and using sustainable practices for things like cereal, grain and vegetables.
Cam Beard, owner of Carrots by Cam, operates out of Carseland and is going to be a mentor for the apprenticeship students for the first time.
“I wanted somebody that was interested in the farm and wanted to learn, not just somebody that wanted a paycheque. The big thing is that if somebody wants to learn then they will put a little bit more into it and get a little bit more out of it.”
Beard grows carrots, beets, parsnips and potatoes along with local farm Poplar Buff Organics for retail and delivery services. He grows his vegetables with a focus on soil health, organic stewardship and rejuvenating the land.
He heard about the apprentice program at one of the organic conferences that he was attending a couple of years back before COVID hit.
“The Young Agrarians had a mixer night and there was a lot of them there to learn about farming and we went and visited them and that is how we learned about the program.”
From May until October the apprentice that will be working with Carrots by Cam will be spending their time tending to all the stages of vegetable growth. This is going to include carrot trials, weeding strawberries and working with wheeline irrigation. In the Fall they will help with that harvest, grading, sorting and packaging vegetables.
The requirements to work with Carrots by Cam is to be open minded and be able to step out of your comfort zone. That you have a serious interest in agriculture and want to learn and take pride in your work.
For more information on the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program and how to apply visit Young Agrarians Farm Apprenticeship Program
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