|
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the
apprenticeship application deadline?
A: March
1st.
Q:
I'm interested in an apprenticeship, but I've missed the deadline. Can
I still apply?
A: Contact Laura
Christensen at growers@ksu.edu to see
if apprenticeships are still available.
Q:
Is there a fee to participate in the apprenticeship
program?
A: Yes.
Tuition for 2010 is three hundred dollars. A limited number of
scholarships are available.
Q:
I'm a farmer interested in hosting an apprentice. What
is involved?
A: We are
always eager to talk to potential host farms. Click
here for more
details on being a host farm.
Q: What are the host farms like?
A: Different!
Some host farms have livestock, some specialize in vegetables or fruit and
some produce value added products such as cheese. Some farms have one
acre and others have 40. Some are rural and others are urban.
All our host farms, however, are either organic
or use practices that minimize their use of synthetic inputs and their
impact on the environment.
Click
here to go to our host farm
list.
Q: Do host farms provide housing?
A: Most do
not, but we do have a few host farms that
have housing either on the farm or nearby. Check the
host farm list for details.
Q: I'm not in the Kansas City area. Do you have
host farms in my area?
A: Growing Growers
focuses on the Kansas City "foodshed", and apprentices must be able to attend
workshops in the Kansas City area. We do have several host farms in or
near Lawrence, KS. Our host farm list includes the location of host
farms. For apprentice/internship
opportunities outside the KC area ask at your local extension office, search
the web or check here.
Q: When does the program start and end?
A: Our first
mandatory workshop is in March, and our last is in October. Farm work
starts between February and April, depending on the host farm, and typically
ends in September or October.
Q: I'm in school, and my classes don't end until May.
Can I still participate as an apprentice?
A: It is possible,
but challenging. Because our monthly workshops begin in March, you
need to make arrangements to attend the workshops while you are still in
school. You also need to find a host farm that is willing to work with
your schedule.
If your classes start again in August, you may
be departing during one of the busiest times of the year on your host farm.
Again, you need to make arrangements to attend the August, September and
October workshops and find a host farm willing to work with your
schedule.
Q: My schedule won't allow me to participate as an
apprentice. Can I still work on a host farm or attend workshops?
A: Yes. We
encourage you to look for farms where you can volunteer or work, but you
will need to negotiate any training or educational opportunities with them.
Our workshops are also open to the public and the registration fees are
reasonable.
Q: I have something else planned for one of the workshop
dates. Can I miss a workshop and still participate?
A: Yes. We
require apprentices to attend 9 total workshops/events. 7 of these are
"core" workshops, which are mandatory. You may miss one core workshop,
but still need to attend nine total workshops.
Q: What other workshops or events can I attend to
complete the workshop requirement?
A: Growing
Growers will host at least two "elective" workshops during the course of the
season. We also encourage apprentices to see what other opportunities
exist - conferences on sustainable agriculture, workshops on grape
production, classes on pasture management or loan programs - anything that
is relevant to your plans for growing.
Apprentices need to check with the Program
manager to verify that an event will be accepted as an elective.
Educational opportunities are often posted on
the Growing Growers email listserv.
Check here for other organizations' calendars.
Q: Will I be paid for working on my host farm?
How much?
A: It
depends on whether or not you decide on a volunteer (at least 4 hours
a week) or paid apprenticeship. Paid apprentices are employees of
their host farm. Rates of pay, hours and other terms of employment
vary between host farms.
You should be aware that apprenticeships are
typically not high-paying, but may also include surplus food from the
farm, housing or other benefits.
'
Q: How do I get matched up with a host farm?
A: After we
receive your application we'll suggest some possible host farms to you.
It is your responsibility to contact these or
other host farms, arrange interviews and find one that agrees to take you on
as an apprentice.
Q: What if I don't like my host farm or my apprentice?
A: If a host
farm and apprentice have conflicts or difficulties, and are unable to work
it out, the program manager or coordinator will try to find both parties a
different apprentice/host farm. We cannot guarantee this however, so
it is very important to talk with and carefully consider possible host farms
or apprentices before agreeing to match up with them.
| 
