Apprenticeship Program

The best way to learn farming is from farmers

The apprenticeship program gives you an opportunity to receive hands-on experience combined with reading, classes, and training that will help you decide if farming is a good fit for you. Apprentices work on local, sustainably run farms, where they experience the day-to-day operations of a farm. They also take a non-credit online course, attend farm tours, meet new and experienced farmers, receive textbooks, and receive on-the-job and formal training from their host farmers. In essence, this program will help give you the basics you need to get started. Growing Growers’ apprentices need only a willingness to work hard and learn as they do. Scroll down for answers to our most commonly asked questions!

Two Track Options Available

FARM APPRENTICESHIP
Cost: $500
Apprentice receives:
-Online course access (12 mo.)
-Books
-Participation in workshops & farm tours
Apprentice agrees to:
-Work 20-40 hours per week on a production farm
(hours & pay agreed upon with host farm)
-8-10 hours of 1-on-1 training with host farmer
-Complete pre- and post-skills evaluation
-Complete program evaluation at the end of the season

EXPLORE FARMING
Cost: $250
Explorer receives:
-Online course access (12 mo.)
-Books
-Participation in workshops & farm tours
Explorer agrees to:
-Work 4-8 hours per week on a non-profit farm
(hours + pay agreed upon with host farm)

Parts of an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship Parts -Field Work

FIELD WORK
is a large component of the apprenticeship program, because it is a large component of farming. Some farms include apprentices in their marketing and sales department as well (farmers market, CSA packaging or delivery, restaurant sales, etc.). These positions are completely flexible and depend entirely on your agreement with the host farmer. Some apprentices work as volunteers on a minimal weekly basis, while others accept full or part-time paid positions!

*Apprentices should contact potential host farmers prior to submitting an application, but this is not required! The host-farmer working relationship is managed independently of the Growing Growers program, but we can help you find the best farmer for your needs.

Apprenticeship Parts - Farm Tours

WORKSHOPS AND FARM TOURS are held monthly from February through September and cover topics relevant to sustainable farming. Farm tours include presentations by local farmers, extension agents, and other experts. Over the course of the season, farm tours introduce ideas that help apprentices learn about growing food and planning a farm business.

*Apprentices are required to attend 3 out of the 4 core workshops and are welcome to go to other Growing Growers elective workshops, agricultural conferences, or professional meetings for free. These electives allow apprentices to explore specific interests that may not be part of the core workshops.

Apprenticeship Parts - One-on-One Training

ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING In addition to training during the work day, apprentices receive 8-10 hours of focused, one-on-one training from their host farmer(s). This training is a way for apprentices to glean skills from their host farmer on subjects of their choice. Any topics can be chosen, including skills like beekeeping, budgeting, soil building, rotations, production planning, seed selection and ordering, equipment operation, organic certification, market planning, and more!

Apprenticeship Parts - Online Course & Materials

ONLINE COURSE & MATERIALS Through K-State’s online learning platform, we offer a non-credit online course to supplement apprentice learning. This will provide apprentices with lectures on thirteen module topics, optional assignments and readings, discussion boards, and other supplemental materials all in one place! We hand out books and supplemental materials for the online course at core workshops. These cover business planning, equipment, soils, pest and disease management, and other topics relevant to start-up growers. Each season’s curriculum is slightly different, and examples of textbooks include Jean-Martin Fortier’s The Market Gardener, Elliot Coleman’s The New Organic Grower, SARE’s Building Soils for Better Crops, and MOSES’ Fearless Farm Finances.
*If apprentices fail to attend a farm tour, they will not receive the books

Frequently Asked Questions

Applications are closed for the 2026 season. We hope to catch you next year, though!

The program formally starts on the date of the first core workshop (usually mid-March. The start date of the applicant’s on-farm apprenticeship is dependent on the host farmer and the agreed-upon terms of employment/volunteer internship. Typically, apprentices work from late March or early April through the summer season. Some apprentices may even stay on as employees after completion of the program!

The recognition ceremony during the annual OHREC Field Day formally marks the end of the program (although many apprentices continue working on the online course through the winter months). Workshops can run year-round, and apprentices are encouraged to continue attending even after this recognition ceremony.

The Farm Apprenticeship track fee is $500 and the Explore Farming track fee is $250. This fee includes all workshops, tours, course materials and on-farm training. The tuition is non-refundable and can be broken up into two separate payments throughout the season.

Scholarships are available based on grant funding. Contact us at growers@ksu.edu for more information on applying for a scholarship and availability.

Visit our application page for more details:

Application Info

No… but it is strongly encouraged! Many host farmers are willing to offer paid positions or even housing so these are details that we recommend you arrange before applying. All contact information for farmers is on the host farm pages!
With that said, you can always apply to the program before your arrangements with the host farm are determined! If needed, we are here to help you pick a host farmer and initiate that connection. We will accept applications even if you have not yet contacted a host farmer.

Yes and no! Every apprentice must commit to working with their host farm on a regular basis; however, the number of hours you want to work is entirely dependent on your relationship with the farm. Some host farmers might only offer paid part-time positions for apprentices who can work 20+ hours/week, while other farmers might take on volunteer apprentices who commit to several hours a month. It is up to you and your host farmer to work out the best schedule for you!

This depends on your host farm! View the information for each host farm page or the “Find an Apprenticeship” page for the most up-to-date pay available at each host farm.

See what our previous graduates are up to…

Many of our graduates have become farmers across the country. Several of our graduates have even become host farmers themselves, including Two Birds Farm, Mellowfields Urban Farm, and Sacred Sun Cooperative Farm. Read more about some of our former apprentices by clicking the button below!