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Are you interested in learning the knowledge and skills you’ll need for a long-term career in organic vegetable production? Or are you a farmer hoping to invest in and cultivate long-term managers on your farm?
The Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship Program provides paid hands-on training that benefits producers and apprentices alike. Through this two-year, competency-based program, apprentices work with experienced farmers to develop their skills and learn the ins-and-outs of what it takes to run a successful farm business--from seeding and transplanting to sales and marketing.
What Does an Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Do?
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Manage all aspects of vegetable production, from field to sale.
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Maintain farm facilities, equipment, and tools.
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Keep production, employee, and financial records that inform future farm decisions.
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Evaluate and react to changing environmental and market conditions that impact the farm business--in conjunction with the farm owner.
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Support and supervise farm staff on production-related tasks and sales.
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New things every day!
WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM LOOK LIKE?
Apprentices work alongside experienced Wisconsin-based farmers during the growing season. A comprehensive Job Book details 13 on-the-job competencies that the apprentice will develop during their time in the program. Apprentices also complete 3 structured courses through the Wisconsin Technical College System. These required courses cover concepts that, while practical, are better suited to a classroom setting. Apprentices typically begin the program in early spring, and farmers train their apprentices in all aspects of organic vegetable production--providing insight and instruction on operating a viable farm business.
APPRENTICES
"My first year was full of building trust, learning new things, and taking on more and more responsibility. With support from my farmer educator Laura, I took the lead on creating and overseeing the farm’s irrigation schedule and watering our transplants. I got on the tractor early on and have also been writing for the newsletter and learning about direct seeding. Laura and I go on field walks so I can help her plan out the week, and I’m training to move into the crew lead position for next season.”
- Gali, 2023 apprenticeship cohort
WHAT MAKES THIS PROGRAM UNIQUE?
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Hands-on training with an experienced farmer
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A comprehensive job training manual created by successful vegetable growers
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Off-season course instruction, including in farm business management and marketing
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In-season gatherings and on-farm field days
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An hourly wage during on-the-job training and 144 hours of compensated classroom instruction
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Potential opportunities for equity building, post-graduation employment, and farm succession
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR AN APPRENTICE
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18 years of age
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Valid government-issued ID
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High school diploma, GED, or equivalent
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Physically able to perform work with reasonable accommodation
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Prior experience working on a production farm is not required but is preferred by most farmer educators
WAGES AND ASSOCIATED COSTS
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The apprentice is responsible for course tuition and required books, roughly $700
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The apprentice is paid a progressive hourly wage during their time in the program
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Veterans participating in the apprenticeship program may be eligible to utilize their GI Bill benefits
READY FOR THE NEXT STEP? CONTACT US!
Please note that FairShare is unable to assist international applicants with visa support.
Would you like more experience in organic production before applying to the program?
Check out our list of outside educational resources.
Approved apprenticeship host farms
FARMER EDUCATORS
“My goal in participating in this program is to show apprentices that 'farm manager' is a real, professional position and that you don’t have to own a farm to be an important and invested part of a farm.” - Stacey Botsford
Are you interested in training skilled employees and retaining them from year to year? Or maybe you’d like to explore farm succession opportunities with someone hoping to move into farm ownership further down the road. The Organic Vegetable Farm Manager Apprenticeship provides you with the materials and the support you need to develop competent employees on your farm.
BENEFITS FOR FARMER
EDUCATORS
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Retain skilled employees, potentially including a skilled farm manager with in-depth knowledge of your operation
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Build effective training strategies that apply to all of your employees
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Access to a comprehensive job training manual created by experienced vegetable growers
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Attract employees who are invested in learning
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Possible opportunities for shared decision-making on high-level farm functions like crop planning and employee supervision
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Participate in a network of farmer educators who are interested in providing quality on-farm education
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Access to labor management training
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR FARMER EDUCATORS
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Hold a valid, accredited organic certification
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Be in business for at least 1 year
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Be able and willing to train the apprentice in the required program competencies
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Employ the apprentice for at least 32 hours per week during the growing season
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Be a FairShare Farm - or apply to become either Affiliated or Endorsed
WAGES AND ASSOCIATED COSTS
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The farmer educator pays the apprentice an hourly wage for their work on the farm
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The farmer educator pays the apprentice an hourly wage for the 144 hours spent on classroom instruction
READY FOR THE NEXT STEP? CONTACT US!
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT PLEDGE
As the apprenticeship sponsor, FairShare will not discriminate against apprenticeship applicants or apprentices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity or pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, arrest or conviction record, membership in the armed forces, or because they are an individual with a disability or a person 40 years of age or older.
FairShare will take affirmative action to provide equal opportunity in apprenticeship and will operate the apprenticeship program as required under 29 CFR part 30 and the equal employment opportunity rules of the state of Wisconsin.