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Six Month Farm-Based Leadership Training Apprenticeship

jennifer halpin
Published
February 22, 2023
Location
Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania
Type of farm?
Diverse (Animals/Plants)
Start Date
2023/05/15
End Date
2023/11/22
Work Schedule
The basic “work and learn” day is from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday, with one hour for lunch (times may adjust seasonally or to accommodate weather). Each Monday afternoon in the summer, apprentices join student employees for a farm meeting and educational program. On occasion, apprentices may be invited to lead an educational program. A separate meeting between apprentices and managers will occur each week to go over farm to-do lists, provide management training and discuss any other pertinent matters including team cohesion. Apprentices can expect to be exposed to ongoing experimental and investigative projects at the farm, ancient grain production, seed saving, renewable energy projects and innovative farm systems management. Apprentices may also choose to assist with and at times lead educational outreach events and public tours. Weekends and evenings: Some farm responsibilities occur on weekends or require work outside of the normal 7:30-4:30 M-F work week. These include daily livestock care, irrigation during the dry season, greenhouse management, farmers’ market, and food service events (Pizza on the Plaza, GATHER pop-up restaurant, etc.). All apprentices will be asked to share weekend responsibilities with the farm managers on a rotating basis. Weekend or evening work can be traded for time off during the normal work week to accommodate doctors’ appointments, long weekends or other personal needs. The farm has a small budget for overtime hours (paid at time and a half after 40 hours per week). Overtime and time-swaps must be pre-approved by the farm director.
Compensation
apprentices receive training activities and responsibilities that promote learning, benefits like free on-farm housing with free utilities and Wi-Fi, free access to farm-raised products such as vegetables, herbs, fruit, steep discounts on meat and eggs, plus a tiered hourly wage starting at $9/hour for the first three months and then increasing to $12/hour for the final three months of the apprenticeship. The mid-season increase in hourly wages reflects the expectation of and compensation for added farm responsibilities like project and team management.
Housing Available
Yes
Housing Location
On Farm
Meals Provided
No
Positions Available
4

Description

Description

The Dickinson College Farm Leadership Training Apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity for full-time employment rooted in hands-on learning. This six-month farm-based position is geared toward building professional skill sets in project management, group leadership, technical know-how, and networking within the context of an educational production farm. The position runs from May until late November 2023 and includes a competitive hourly pay plus on-farm, off-grid housing, and amenities. Activities at the 90-acre farm include certified organic vegetable production (ten acres), grass-fed beef, lamb, and laying hens, renewable energy systems, composting, and regenerative agriculture and agroecology research.

As an apprentice, you will gain the skills, experience, and knowledge needed to advance toward leadership roles within this professional arena. In addition to farm-specific training, this experience is applicable to furthering academic studies and employment opportunities related to food systems, sustainability, and education.

More details on the 2023 Farm-Based Leadership Apprenticeship and an application can be found at
https://blogs.dickinson.edu/farm/apprentices/

Applications are reviewed as they are received. Final deadline for the Dickinson College Farm 2023 Apprenticeship Program is March 24th, 2023.

Location Specifics

Boiling Springs is located in South Central PA.

Position Description

The Dickinson College Farm Leadership Training Apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity for full-time employment rooted in hands-on learning. This six-month farm-based position is geared toward building professional skill sets in project management, group leadership, technical know-how, and networking within the context of an educational production farm. The position runs from May until late November 2023 and includes a competitive hourly pay plus on-farm, off-grid housing, and amenities. Activities at the 90-acre farm include certified organic vegetable production (ten acres), grass-fed beef, lamb, and laying hens, renewable energy systems, composting, and regenerative agriculture and agroecology research.

There are two program tracks: vegetable production focused and livestock & bioenergy focused. Both focus areas are part of the farm team and there is some overlap in experiences within each area. All farm team members have opportunities to be involved in foodservice activities associated with various farm to table events.

Education Potential

As an apprentice, you will gain the skills, experience, and knowledge needed to advance toward leadership roles within this professional arena. In addition to farm-specific training, this experience is applicable to furthering academic studies and employment opportunities related to food systems, sustainability, and education.

Food Provided

Apprentices have free access to farm-raised products such as vegetables, herbs and fruit and steep discounts on meat and eggs.

Expectations

An underlying goal of the Apprenticeship Program is to allow for opportunities that build skillsets and confidence through hands-on learning. We will do our best to facilitate chances for learning both on and off the College Farm. Off-farm activities will include occasional fieldtrips during the paid work week, as well as optional social or educational visits to other farms during evening or weekend hours. Past apprentices have commented that they gained a well-rounded experience by proactively connecting with other farmers outside of the regular work week – these activities are optional but encouraged so long as apprentices maintain the stamina needed to complete their core roles on the College Farm. The Apprenticeship Program is also a chance to live and work on a farm - witnessing the seasonal transitions and other discoveries of place-based living that can only been experienced through on-site residency. By living on the farm, this program aims to cultivate a sense of community among the farm residents. Residents are expected to contribute to keeping shared spaces sanitary and tidy. The farm also appreciates shared efforts towards energy conservation by turning off lights and appliances when not in use.

Application Process

More details on the 2023 Farm-Based Leadership Apprenticeship and an application can be found at
https://blogs.dickinson.edu/farm/apprentices/

Applications are reviewed as they are received. Final deadline for the Dickinson College Farm 2023 Apprenticeship Program is March 24th, 2023.

Apply

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