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Farms Hosting Apprentices or Looking for Apprentices for 2008
Farms arranged alphabetically:
Bear Creek Farms, Jim and Robbins Hail,
Osceola,
MO
robbinshail@hotmail.com 417-282-5894 Bear Creek Farms is
a certified organic vegetable farm in rural St. Clair county - 10
miles outside Osceola, MO and 100 miles south of Kansas City. We
have approximately 6 acres of mixed vegetables, fruit and herbs.
Most of our product is sold through a farmers' market in KC. We
also have cattle and horses on the farm. Our apprentice will be
paid a stipend plus room and board. Volunteers also welcome!
Blue Door Farm, Laura Christensen,
Kansas City, KS
christensen.lh@gmail.com 816-805-0362 Blue Door Farm is a very
new farm – last year was my first year growing for market. I grow
vegetables on a little less than an acre and sell at the Brookside
Farmers Market. I grow organically and will be applying for
certification this year. With a little luck I’ll finish up a high
tunnel this winter. I am a former Growing Growers apprentice and
would be open to a volunteer apprentice who would like to see the
good, the bad and the …learning curve of a new start-up farm.
Volunteers available Fridays (for harvest and market prep) and
Tuesdays or Wednesdays (for harvest and help with a new CSA) would
be much appreciated.
East Wind Gardens, Tim Walters and Maureen and Bruce Branstetter,
timothy_walters@kcmo.org
816-254-6233 East Wind Gardens consists of two part-time farmers on
acreage at two sites. Vegetable production is on a 1+ acre
field down on the Missouri River Bottom. Our flower production is
located at the Drumm Farm Institute in Independence, where we have
about 1.5 acres. We
also have recently purchased fruit trees and berries to diversify
production. We are certified organic. We are looking for part-time paid help.
Fair Share Farm, Tom Ruggieri and Rebecca Graff,
Kearney, MO
rebecca@fairsharefarm.com
www.fairsharefarm.com
816-320-3763 We welcome those interested in either an
apprenticeship or volunteering for the 2007 season. This will be the
sixth year of operation of Fair Share Farm. The farm uses organic
practices to grow a wide range of vegetables, fruit, and herbs for
the farm's 100-member CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). CSA
membership involvement is very high on our farm, giving apprentices
and volunteers a unique opportunity to see community farming in
action. The farm is located in northeastern Clay County, about 45
minutes north of downtown Kansas City. We were apprentices ourselves
before starting our farm and feel we can offer a great experience of
what it is like to start a farm after learning the trade through
apprenticeships. In 2008 we
have one opening for a full-time paid apprentice - app. 40 hours per
week. Housing on the farm and a share of produce plus any extras
that are available are included. We can also take some volunteer
apprentices..
Green Dirt Farm, Jacque Smith and Sarah Hoffman, Weston, MO
(816) 824-7784 or (816) 210-4362, email:
jacque@greendirtfarm.com,
website:
www.greendirtfarm.com
Green Dirt Farm has an opening for a full-time, paid apprentice. We
are looking for someone interested in learning about farmstead
sheep's milk cheese making. We are a grass based start-up
dairy and creamery located in Weston, Missouri. Our farm
encompasses a permaculture philosophy as a way to build
sustainability on our farm. Our main products are grass-fed
lamb and farmstead cheeses. We sell directly to customers at
farmers markets. We will also be selling to local restaurants
in 2008. Along with our flock of sheep, we also have chickens
to help with soil fertility. We keep bees to help pollinate
our pasture grasses and flowers which gives our milk its unique
taste. We maintain a small garden and an orchard of apple and
peach trees that are fertilized by our flocks. The interested
person must be willing to work in all stages of farmstead cheese
making including maintaining healthy soil, animal husbandry,
milking, cheese making and marketing.
Hoyland Farm, Bob Lominska,
Lawrence, KS
rlominska@aol.com 785-842-5697 Hoyland farm is an
established organic farm north of Lawrence. We have been growing
organically since 1976. We market through Rolling Prairie Farmers
Alliance, the Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, and do some
wholesaling to stores and restaurants. We are a father - son
operation. At this point we are not sure what our labor needs are
going to be. We do know we can always use volunteer help that could
easily evolve into part time paid work. We grow 3 or 4 acres of
vegetables plus some fruit.
KC Community Farm,
Katherine Kelly and Daniel Dermitzel,
Kansas
City, KS
katherine@kccua.org
913-831-2444 The KC Community Farm is run by the Kansas City
Center for Urban Agriculture, a non-profit organization that
promotes community-based urban farming. KCCF is a certified organic
vegetable farm; we grow on a little more than 2 acres of land in
Kansas City, KS, less than 15 minutes from downtown KC. We have 5
high tunnels and a large greenhouse used cooperatively by a number
of growers; we sell through the Farmers' Community Market at
Brookside and through a 30-member CSA. We have four paid
apprenticeship positions open; they are 20-40 hours a week, mornings
and a full day on Friday and some Saturdays. We would consider
volunteer apprentices. Please email to set up an interview.
Moon on the Meadow, Jill Elmers,
Lawrence,
KS
jelmers@cfaconsulting.com 785-749-1197 Moon on the
Meadow is an organic vegetable farm (to be certified this year) just
on the edge of the east city limit of Lawrence. We farm three acres
of a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and some small fruit. We
sell our products at the Downtown Lawrence Farmers' Market and a CSA
in Topeka and Kansas City. We are looking for one paid apprentice to
work mostly during the week and some weekends (approx. 20 hours).
Room and board is not available. We are an easy commute from Kansas
City, and would love volunteers as well.
Nature's Choice, Fred and Helen Messner,
St. Joseph, MO
fgmessner@yahoo.com 816-253-1059 Fred and Helen are among
the area's most established organic producers. They sell at the
City Market, to restaurants and wholesale. They are interested in
eventually setting up a partnership or some transition plan for
their operation.
Pearly Gates Organic Farm a division of Pearly Gates Organic Soapery,
Nate and Nancy S. Gordon,
Kansas
City, MO
soapmaker@pearlygatessoap.com
soaper1@integrity.com 816-353-3602 Pearly Gates Organic
Farm is a small 1 acre organic operation, (not certified, but
working towards certification) in Kansas City, MO just off of 435
South & Gregory. We have been farming organically since1980 and
recently moved our operation to our present location in late 2000.
We grow many specialty, unusual and hard to find vegetables, herbs,
fruits, micro greens, nutritional grasses for juicing, and flowers
for use in the manufacturing of our organic soap/bath and body care
products, and for sale at market, at K.C. Organics & Natural Market
in Minor Park in Kansas City, MO. We are looking for volunteer
apprentices and apprentices who want to learn one-on-one farm
management/gardening skills; in organic gardening (from seed
selection to selling at market) using intensive organic growing
methods (how to get more from smaller spaces) ; I also teach many
homesteading/old fashioned skills.
Pickings and Pumpkins Nancy Kalman,
Spring
Hill, KS
nakalman@earthlink.net 913-592-5438 Pickings and Pumpkins is
owned and operated by a retired teacher. This will be the seventh
year of operating the farm and the 5th year of our CSA. We grow a
variety of vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers using
pesticide-free and sustainable practices. We start our own plants
and utilize a high-tunnel for season extension. The 10 acre farm is
located just south of Olathe, Kansas. I have enjoyed working with
three apprentices as a part of the Growing Growers program, but do
not have any paid apprenticeship positions available this year.
Pinwheel Farm,
Natalya Lowther,
Lawrence, KS
natalyalowther@hotmail.com, www.pinwheelfarm.blogspot.com
785-979-6786 Pinwheel Farm is a 12 acre, almost urban sustainable
farm on the North Lawrence city limits. Purchase of neighboring
property in late 2007 will facilitate rapid expansion of on-farm
sales and educational/recreational activities in 2008. Production
enterprises vary from year to year, but ideally include vegetables;
fruit, honey; sheep for milk, meat, and wool; and poultry for eggs
and meat. These are sold at the farm, at the Downtown Lawrence
Farmers' Market, and to local restaurants and retail outlets. We are
not seeking organic certification, but our only purchased inputs are
seed, lime, and animal feed and health needs. Our amazing soil
allows us to grow great vegetables with little or no tillage (we
till by hand) or irrigation. Waste hay from the sheep is used as
mulch/sheet compost in the garden. We also do value-added crafts
with our wool (yarn, felt, hand-knits) and make soap. Educating
people about sheep, gardening, crafts, ecology, the environment and
sustainable living in general is an important part of our
activities, both on-farm and at the market. Lot of flexibility and
potential for folks to take initiative within our established
schedules, operational policies and development plan. Pinwheel Farm
is non-smoking, clean, sober, and TV/media free; we welcome people
of all cultures, faiths, orientations, and abilities. We are looking
for one or two essentially full time partners/interns to share the
operation/profits, either short or long term, as well as volunteer
apprentices. Room and board available immediately. Our season begins
in early February (preparing for Sheep Shearing Day and lambing) and
ends in mid-December (DLFM Holiday Market and winterizing) so
contact us as soon as possible. Main work days are mornings,
Thursdays, and Sundays. Saturday morning is critical. Start when you
can, but commitment to finish the season is required.
Prairie Birthday Farm, Linda Hezel,
Kearney,
MO
lindahezel@aol.com 816-781-9654
Prairie Birthday Farm was established in 1993 as a bio-diverse,
sustainable land stewardship effort. Its 15 acres include heritage
fruit trees and the following gardens: heirloom vegetables, herbs
and edible flowers, small berry, bramble&vine fruits, and wild
edible fruits. Pastured heritage chickens, honey bees, tall grass
prairie, and rotation paddock pastures for 2 horses complete the
landscape. Native plant ecoscaping surrounds the residence. Bounty
from the farm is sold to local chefs and off farm. New projects for
2007 include raised beds and the design and construction of a pit
greenhouse. Volunteer apprenticeships are available.
Sandheron Farm, Stu Schaefer,
Oscaloosa,
KS sandheron@earthlink.net
Sandheron Farm has five acres in vegetable and small fruit
production, and a small mixed tree fruit orchard. We not certified
organic only because we are small enough that the certification fee
is not cost effective for us. We are a member grower in Rolling
Prairie Farmers Alliance, and most of our produce is sold through
that CSA. We are willing to work with either paid or volunteer
apprentices, but we cannot provide room and board.
Sandhill Farm, Gigi Wahba and Kathe Nicosia,
Rutledge,
MO
www.sandhillfarm.org interns@sandhillfarm.org
Our farm was established in 1974 as an intentional community focused
on self sufficiency and right livelihood. We are located in
northeastern Missouri (35 miles east of Kirksville). We host 8-10
interns each growing season at our 135 acre organic farm. Interns
participate in growing and processing food, soil building and
organic agriculture, consensus-based decision making, community
building, running community businesses and more. Room, board and a
stipend are provided. We hope to draw aspiring market garden and/or
farm apprentices from the KC Growing Growers program to also
participate in our internship program for 2007.
Share-Life Farms, Jim and Rose Thomas,
Marshall, MO
660-886-3936 660-815-0729 Share-Life Farms is a certified organic
farm that produces vegetables, small fruit, and sweet sorghum; they
also produce eggs and chicken. They sell through farmers markets in
Kansas City and Columbia, to restaurants and grocery stores, and
through a CSA. Room and Board is an option, they have a paid
position open.
ShroomHeads Organic
Farm,
Freeman, Mo., west of Harrisonville.
BellovichT@umkc.edu
http://www.shroomheads.com
ShroomHeads, an organic and natural farm located in Freeman, Mo.,
west of Harrisonville. I am in the beginning stages of establishing
my market. I sell at KCOrganics and do some wholesaling to chefs,
health food stores, and restaurants. I harvest mushrooms and pick
what I can find growing wild on my 25 acre farm. I also grow
heirloom tomatoes, heirloom corn, wheat, soy, garlic, peppers, and
herbs. I do not have a paid apprenticeship available, but I welcome
volunteer work. My farm is animal friendly and houses a few exotic's
and some livestock.
Spring Creek Farm, Stephanie Thomas,
Baldwin
City, KS 785-594-3880,
springcreekcsa@yahoo.com Spring Creek Farm is a third-year
farm near Baldwin City that uses organic and sustainable growing
practices. We grow black raspberries, blackberries and a large
variety of vegetables and greens. About 90% of the varieties we grow
are heirloom, and our biggest crops are tomatoes, root crops and
melons. We have two hoop houses in production, and another to be
constructed in spring 08. Our cultivated field space is
approximately 1+3/4 acres. We are in the process of setting up solar
irrigation for next season. Our market consists of sales to natural
groceries and several restaurants in Lawrence and Topeka, the
Downtown Lawrence Farmers Market, and a CSA of approx. 25
distributed in Baldwin City, Olathe and Gardner, KS. We can offer a
paid apprentice 24 – 30 hours weekly, and also desire a volunteer
apprentice. We do not offer room and board.
Townshends English Gardens, Simon Townshend, Raytown, MO
816-737-0804
website:
http://www.townshendsenglishgarden.com
Simon and family grow vegetables, herbs and flowers on this 1/4 acre
urban farm. They sell their produce at market. They
would like a volunteer apprentice who is committed to growing food
naturally.
Troostwood Youth, Ericka Wright, Kansas City, MO
816-444-5788
Troostwood is located near Rockhurst and UMKC. They grow
vegetables, herbs and some tree fruit on 1/2 an acre. Neighborhood
youth work there and they have an on farm stand. Volunteer
apprenticeships may be possible.
Urban Soul and Soil, Beverly Pender,
Bev's Kansas City, KS
beverly.pender@sbcglobal.net
913-321-9341 This is an urban farm located on several lots in Kansas
City, KS that produces vegetables, tree fruit, and canned goods,
growing almost exclusively heirloom varieties. Bev sells at a farm
stand on-site, through the KCK Greenmarket, the Merriam Market, and
the North Kansas City Market, and through a delivery service to
seniors. The farm is not certified organic, but will be getting
ready to apply this year. Bev is looking both for a part-time paid
apprentice and for volunteer apprentices.
Wakarusa Valley Farms, Mark Lumpe,
Lawrence,
KS wakarusafarm@yahoo.com
785-749-4241 Wakarusa Valley Farm has been certified organic since
1989. Crops include vegetables, berries and mushrooms. Six acres
are cultivated and it is located 6 miles southwest of Lawrence, KS.
We sell at Lawrence Farmers Market, two subscription services,
several restaurants and the Community Mercantile (a local
cooperative grocery. We would accept paid or volunteer apprentices
and have no room and board available.
Wild Good Gardens,
Susan and Josh Jones,
Osceola, MO (417)
309-0934
Wild Goose is a cut flower farm that markets to florists in Kansas
City and Springfield. They would like to find an apprentice
who is interested in the cut flower business and is committed to
growing using minimal chemical inputs. While not a food
producing farm, Wild Goose offers expertise on flower production,
which can be a valuable add-on to a market gardening or vegetable
operation.
Wood Mood Gardens, Jim and Mary Wood,
Higginsville, MO (55 miles from KC downtown area)
woodmood@ctcis.net 660-584-3552
We grow 1/2 acre mixed vegetables, 3/4 acre asparagus, 3/4 acre
sweet corn, 1/4 acre potatoes, 500 meat chickens, 11 cows and
calves, a 150 layer flock for eggs, 3 acres feed corn, and 20 acres
hay. We have 50 acres all certified organic. They sell at two
farmers’ markets and through other outlets as well. We have no
living quarters and will pay wages.
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