Apprenticeship

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Apprenticeship

General Information on Apprenticeship: Klippers Organic Acres grows certified organic vegetables and tree fruit. We sell the majority of our produce through farmers markets and now have a CSA which has summer and egg shares. We also raise free-range poultry, with eggs, and this year we are looking at perhaps having cattle to help manage fields.

Click here for an apprentice application.

Internship starts: March-May
Internship ends: November-February
Application Deadline: Apply anytime
Minimum Length Stay: 3 months
Number of Interns: 4 - 8
Contact Preference: Phone, Email or Mail

Click here to view the Curriculum

Work/Experience Desired: We are looking for people who can work independently as well as in a team. They do not need any previous farming experience however it could be an asset. We encourage apprentices to stay from 3-12 months, depending on the needs of the farm.

Education Opportunity: Training and work experience include organic production practices for vegetables, fruit and chickens - as well as seedling propagation and production in greenhouses. Pasture-based poultry, a CSA, and farmers markets are also important elements.

Stipend/Compensation: $300-$800/month - increased in second year

Housing: We have a four-bedroom, with bath and it’s own kitchen apartment.

Meals: Apprentices cook and eat in their own apartment or house, and are encouraged to share meal preparation. Unlimited seconds produce is available from the farm, and a $100/month/person food allowance covers other purchases.

Details about Internship/Apprenticeship:
Apprentices can expect to be involved in most aspects of running an organic fruit and vegetable farm - from seedling propagation to field preparation to harvesting and marketing. It is hard work, please do not apply if you are not ready and willing to work hard. We work five days per week (hours vary from winter to summer) and every other Saturday if interested in going to the farmers market. We welcome couples to apply, as well as single people. The Similkameen River runs south of the farm, less then a mile away, which offers great fishing, canoeing, and tubing opportunities. Trails and roads for good hiking and biking abound as well.

Next Step:

If you are interested in finding out more about an apprenticeship at Klippers Organic Acres, please email us at klippersorganics@nethop.net or call us at (250) 499-2050. Click here for an apprentice application.

I worked as a farm apprentice at Klipper's Organic Acres for the 2009 season, along with 4 others. As an apprentice I participated in many aspects of planting, growing, harvesting, and marketing a wide variety of crops. Being extremely busy themselves, Kevin and Annamarie are willing to give responsibility for some aspects of the farming operation to their apprentices; this is great for someone who, like me, plans to start up their own farm someday. For example, I was responsible for putting together the CSA boxes every week as well as rotating irrigation on several of the ground crops.

On a large farm like this there are always a few huge, monotonous tasks to be done (planting onions, weeding). It can be discouraging for an apprentice but everyone pitches in to get these jobs done faster. It made me realize that such jobs are part of organic vegetable farming and that I'd have to adjust to that if I continue in this career. One other potential problem with such a busy farm is that education can sometimes become a little neglected in peak season. I found that it was very important to always keep asking questions.

For me, it was great to be a part of such a large and diverse farm that directly markets almost all of its product because it showed me that it is possible to make a living through farming organically. One thing I especially liked about Klipper's is that due to their imaginative direct marketing strategies and commitment to making lots of value-added products, there is very little wasted food. All in all it was a season well spent. I met many interesting people, and learned a lot that will be useful when I start farming for myself.

2009 Apprentice- Jordan Field