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Farms Hosting Apprentices
Please note that host farms
will be updating their listings to reflect 2010 in the next few
weeks. Until then, contact them directly with any questions.
Farms arranged alphabetically:
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Farm:
Anthonys Beehive
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Tony Schwager
Location:
Lawrence, KS
Contact:
tony@anthonysbeehive.com
or (785) 762-beehive
Website:
www.anthonysbeehive.com
Apprenticeship opportunities:
volunteer (4 to 8 hrs a week)
We are a family owned beekeeping
business in Lawrence with about 200 hives on 20 different farms. We
are producing honey, pollen, beeswax, lip balm, and lotion. Selling
online and at Farmer's Markets. Visit our website for more
information.
We are looking for a volunteer apprentice for 4 to 8 hours a week.
Once spring hits, accompany us to the hives for evaluation of
overwintering, feeding, and other spring management. Also assist in
preparing online orders for shipment and production of value added
products. Perhaps a little bit of marketing and sales as well.
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Farm:
Bear Creek Farms
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Jim and Robbins Hail
Location:
Osceola,
MO
Contact:
robbinshail@hotmail.com 417-282-5894
Apprenticeship opportunities:
part or full time possible - call to discuss.
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. Room and board may be available. We have approximately 10 acres of mixed
vegetables, fruit and herbs. We specialize in heirloom
tomatoes. Most of our produce is sold
wholesale to Whole Foods and sometimes through a farmers' market.
We also have cattle and horses on the farm. If you have some
experience with farming or outdoor work and are looking for
experience on a farm that will prepare you for mid-scale production,
consider apprenticing at Bear Creek. Apprentices on our farm
must be dependable employees, with a commitment to farming and all
the work that it involves. Our apprentice will be
paid a stipend plus room and board. Volunteers also welcome!
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Farm:
Blue Door Farm
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Laura Christensen
Location:
Kansas
City, KS
Contact:
bluedoorfarm@gmail.com or
816-805-0362
Apprenticeship opportunities:
Volunteer, 4-8 hrs a week
Blue Door
is a small organic veg. farm in Kansas City, KS. I grow a wide
variety of vegetables and sell through a small CSA and the Brookside
Farmers' Market. I have approximately one acre in production
including a high tunnel for season extension. In 2010 I would like
one or two volunteer apprentices who are interested in working and
learning about vegetable production as well as small CSA management. Expect hard
work and an abundance of vegetable seconds to take home.
Apprentices need to be available to work on any one (or two!) of the
following mornings: Fridays, Thurs or Tuesdays. I was a
Growing Growers apprentice for two years before starting my own farm
and would love to keep passing this experience on! I am 5 minutes from the
Leavenworth Dr. exit off
I-635, so I am a quick drive from
most points in KC. Feel free to contact me with any questions.
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Farm:
Drumm Farm (formerly
East Wind Gardens)
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Tim Walters and Maureen and Bruce Branstetter
Location:
Independence, MO
Contact:
timothy_walters@kcmo.org
or 816-254-6233
Apprenticeship
opportunities: paid pt or volunteer
possible, please call.
Drumm Farm/East
Wind Gardens consists of three 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.
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Farm:
Fair Share Farm
Farmer(s):
Tom Ruggieri and Rebecca Graff
Location:
Kearney, MO
Contact:
rebecca@fairsharefarm.com
or 816-320-3763
Website:
www.fairsharefarm.com
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Full time paid with
housing and volunteer positions available.
We welcome those interested in either an
apprenticeship or volunteering for the 2009 season. This will be the
seventh 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 2009 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.
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Farm:
Green Dirt Farm
Farmer(s):
Jacque Smith and Sarah Hoffman
Location:
Weston, MO
Contact:
(816) 824-7784 or (816) 210-4362, email:
jacque@greendirtfarm.com
Website:
www.greendirtfarm.com
Apprenticeship
opportunities: 2 paid positions, one
full time, one part time. Volunteer opportunities also available.
We are looking for apprentices interested in learning about
farmstead sheep's milk cheese making. We are a grass based
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 and to local restaurants. 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.
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Farm:
Hoyland Farm
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Bob Lominska
Location:
Lawrence,
KS
Contact:
rlominska@aol.com 785-842-5697
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Volunteer
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. We have had a volunteer GG apprentice in '08 and
'09. 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.
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Farm:
Kansas City Community Farm
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Katherine Kelly and Daniel Dermitzel
Location: Kansas
City, KS
Contact:
alicia@kccua.org
913-831-2444
Website:
www.kccua.org
Apprenticeship
opportunities: All paid positions currently filled for 2010, but
volunteer apprenticeships are possible.
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.
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Farm:
Kurlbaum's Heirloom Tomatoes
Farmer(s):
Liz Kurlbaum, Sally Kuklenski
Location: Kansas
City, KS
Contact:
kurlbaum@mac.com, (913)
302-8038
Website:
www.kurlbaumtomatoes.com
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Paid part time
and volunteer
Kurlbaum's Heirloom Tomatoes produces heirloom tomatoes for sale to
restaurants. They would like to share their knowledge of tomato
production and marketing and are looking for a hard working
apprentice.
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Farm:
Maggie's Farm
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Barbara Clark
Location:
Lawrence, KS
Contact:
maggiesfarm@sbcglobal.net
785-842-4102
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Volunteer and paid, part
time
Maggie's Farm is a
small, sustainable family farm that specializes in high-value
vegetable production and maintains a
handspinner's flock of sheep. Our farm integrates livestock
production (wool) with our vegetable production through compost
making. We sell through farmers' market, direct to restaurants
and grocers. All aspects of production and marketing can be learned.
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Farm:
Moon on the Meadow
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Jill Elmers
Location:
Lawrence,
KS
Contact:
jelmers@cfaconsulting.com 785-749-1197
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Volunteer and paid, part
time
Moon on the
Meadow is a certified organic vegetable farm 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 reliable
apprentices who enjoy hard work. Room and board is not available. We are an easy commute from Kansas
City, and would love volunteers as well.
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Farm:
Nature's Choice
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Fred and Helen Messner
Location:
St. Joseph, MO
Contact:
fgmessner@yahoo.com 816-253-1059
Apprenticeship opportunities:
call to discuss.
Fred and Helen are among the area's most established organic
producers. They sell at the City Market, to restaurants and
wholesale. They raise a variety of vegetables and ornamentals
using biodynamic methods. They grow on a few acres, including
high tunnels and a greenhouse. If they find the right
apprentice they may be interested in
eventually setting up a partnership or some ownership transition plan for
their farm.
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Farm:
Pearly Gates Organic Garden, a div. of Pearly Gates Organic Soapery,
Inc.
Farmer(s):
Nancy S. Gordon and family
Location:
Kansas
City, MO
Contact:
816-353-3602, gardens@pearlygatessoap.com
Website:
www.pearlygatessoap.com
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Volunteer
Pearly Gates Organic Gardens is a small one acre organic operation
in
Kansas City, Mo. just off of 435 South & Gregory. We've been farming
organically since 1981 and making soaps since 1988, Our gardens won
honorable mention in Robert Rodale's Organic Gardening Magazine in
1984. This years gardens focus primarily on the raw food
diet/lifestyle. (although many of my crops can also be eaten
cooked).
This years crops include many specialty, unusual heirloom and hybrid
fruits and vegetables, a variety of edible flowers, herbs, cut
flowers
and a broad range of micro-greens and nutritional grasses for
juicing.
We use our garden produce in our soap business, for personal use and
for sale at market, K.C. Organics & Natural Market, see
www.kcorganics.com. CSSA subscriptions (Community Supported Soap and
Agriculture, we call them) are available now. I am looking for
several volunteer apprentices this year. I can provide produce along
with our organic soaps/bath care products for all my volunteers. In
2008 we won a sustainable agriculture grant and are working on a
project titled "Incredible Crop Yields From Small Urban Spaces".
I also teach many homesteading skills.
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Farm:
Pickings and Pumpkins
Farmer(s):
Nancy Kalman
Location:
Spring Hill, KS
Contact:
nakalman@embarqmail.com
913-592-5438
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Volunteer
Pickings and Pumpkins is
owned and operated by a retired teacher. This will be the
eighth
year of operating the farm. 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.
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Farm:
Pinwheel Farm
Farmer(s):
Natalya Lowther
Location:
Lawrence, KS
Contact:
natalyalowther@hotmail.com
785-979-6786
Web:
www.pinwheelfarm.blogspot.com
Apprenticeship
opportunities: call for details.
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.
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Farm:
Prairie
Birthday Farm
Farmer(s):
Linda
Hezel
Location:
Kearney, MO
Contact:
lindahezel@aol.com
816-781-9654
Website:
www.prairiebirthdayfarm.com
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Volunteer
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 and nuts. 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 area
residents. Research into varieties and production methods is
ongoing.
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Farm:
Sandheron Farm
Farmer(s):
Stu Schaefer
Location:
Oscaloosa,
KS
Contact:
sandheron@earthlink.net
Apprenticeship
opportunities: pending, please call
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.
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Farm:
Share-Life Farms
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Jim and Rose Thomas
Location:
Marshall, MO
Contact:
660-886-3936 or
660-815-0729
Apprenticeship
opportunities:
call to discuss
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 not available on the farm, but they may be able to help
arrange something nearby. They would consider working with an individual or couple who is serious about farming as
a lifestyle and career choice.
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Farm:
Spring Creek Farm
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Stephanie Thomas
Location:
Baldwin
City, KS
Contact:
785-633-5292,
springcreekcsa@yahoo.com
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Paid, part time and
volunteer
Spring Creek Farm is a fifth-year farm near Baldwin City that uses
organic and sustainable growing practices. We grow a small amount of
berries and a large variety of vegetables, greens and roots. About
90% of the varieties we grow are heirloom, and our biggest crops are
tomatoes, root crops and melons. We have three hoop houses in
production. Our cultivated field space is approximately 2 acres. 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 and
Gardner, KS. We can offer a paid apprentice 20+ hours weekly, and
also desire a volunteer apprentice. We do not offer room and board.
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Farm:
Townshends English Gardens
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Simon Townshend
Location:
Raytown, MO
Contact:
816-737-0804
Website:
http://www.townshendsenglishgarden.com
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Volunteer
Simon and family grow vegetables, herbs and flowers on this 1/4 acre
urban farm. They sell their produce at a farmers market. They
would like a volunteer apprentice who is committed to growing food
naturally.
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Farm:
Troostwood Youth
Updated for 2010
Farmer(s):
Ericka Wright
Location:
Kansas City, MO
Contact:
816-444-5788
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Volunteer
Troostwood is located near Rockhurst and UMKC. They grow
vegetables, herbs and some tree fruit on 1/2 an acre and sell their
produce on-site. Neighborhood
youth work there and they have an on farm stand. A great way to
interact with youth focused urban ag. Volunteer
apprenticeships may be possible.
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Farm:
Urban Soul and Soil
Farmer(s):
Beverly Pender
Location: Kansas
City, KS
Contact:
913-321-9341
Apprenticeship
opportunities: Volunteer
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.
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Farm:
Wild Goose Gardens
Farmer(s):
Susan and Josh
Jones
Location:
Osceola, MO
Contact:
(417)
309-0934
Apprenticeship
opportunities: pending, call
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.
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Farm:
Wood Mood
Farmer(s):
Jim and Mary Wood
Location:
Higginsville, MO
Contact:
woodmood@ctcis.net 660-584-3552
Apprenticeship
opportunities: call for details
Wood Mood is located approx. 55 miles from KC downtown area.
They have been certified organic since 1994. Their diverse farm
includes vegetables, cattle, a laying flock, feed corn production
and 20 acres of hay. 50 total acres are certified organic.
High tunnels are used for vegetable production. They sell
vegetables, eggs and meat to local restaurants.
A position may be available for a motivated, hard worker or couple
who is seriously considering farming as a career.
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