Educational On-Farm Internship or Apprenticeship - Graduates or Undergraduates - Rogue Farm Corps

LOCATION: , OR (USA)

CLOSING DATE: March 1, 2021

OPPORTUNITY TYPE: Internship

JOB #: 16701

POSTED: December 17, 2020

Description:

Interested in an educational on-farm internship or apprenticeship in Oregon for 2021 with associated classes, farm tours, discussions, and networking? Please check out Rogue Farm Corps’ farmer training programs!

Rogue Farm Corps seeks to train an inclusive next generation of farmers and encourages applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply. 

To see an overview of all our farmer training programs, see our Programs At A Glance page.

APPRENTICESHIP

Are you interested in owning or managing a farm or ranch but seeking more experience and knowledge before doing so?

RFC’s Apprenticeship Program is an on-farm learning experience for those who have at least one full season (6+ months) of farm or ranch experience (or equivalent). The Apprenticeship combines hands-on training and skills-based education for those ready to dive into the art and business of sustainable agriculture. This program helps people who want to continue in agriculture learn the skills needed to manage and run a diversified farming operation, and deepen their understanding of ecological and sustainable agricultural practices.

It is for people who have a foundation of farm knowledge and skills but are looking to deepen their managerial experience, agricultural skills, and conceptual understanding, with the goal of managing, owning, or operating a farm enterprise in the future. Similar to the Full-Season Internship Program, participants train full-time at one of RFC’s partner Host Farms. Participants also engage in a series of educational weekend intensives in RFC chapter locations around the state, attend local area classes and tours, and have the opportunity to take on independent projects. The Apprenticeship, like the Internship, examines the economical, ecological and social sustainability of farm practices demonstrated, and continues to build on these themes.

INTERNSHIP

Are you interested in getting your foot in the door with sustainable agriculture?

RFC’s Full-Season Internship Program is a spring through fall immersion for aspiring farmers who want to gain significant farming or ranching production experience and don’t have a lot of previous exposure. For those seeking an experience for just the summer months, a Summer Internship Program is in development for 2021. The Full-Season Internship Program is an entry/intermediate-level, immersive program that combines hands-on training with skills-based education. No experience is required to apply, however some host farms do prefer applicants have some previous farming or outdoor work experience. RFC recommends some previous outdoor work experience.

Full-time participants engage in a seasonal average of 30-36 hours per week of on-farm experience. Part-time participants engage in a seasonal average of 14-24 hours per week of on-farm experience. In addition to the on-farm training experience, participants engage in a series of farm tours, classes, and discussion circles focused on a broad array of sustainable agriculture and food system topics organized by Rogue Farm Corps (see a sample Internship Program events schedule here). Participants also have an opportunity for an independent project if desired. Internship Program participants are exposed to the farm knowledge, networks, and expertise through engaging in the daily life of an agricultural community via their host farm.

The part-time Internship Program includes the same educational offerings as the full-time option, but participants train on the farm part-time. Check our host farm webpage in January to see which of our participating host farms will be offering this option. 

NEW! Summer Internship now available. Summer interns can dip their toes into farming by training for 8-36 hrs/wk over 10-14 weeks with a host farmer during the summer and attend 5-8 of the Internship classes, farm tours, and discussions.

RFC has developed COVID-19 safety protocols according to state and federal guidance and will adjust them as needed to protect the health and safety of our participants, staff, host farmers, and communities. In-person educational events are held outside with social distancing in place.

TYPES OF AGRICULTURE

Rogue Farm Corps partners with dedicated mentor host farms and ranches that focus on sustainable, regenerative, ecological, and/or organic approaches in their production methods. Host farm enterprises vary by farm and include animal (meat, dairy, eggs, etc) and plant-based production (vegetables, herbs, fruit, seeds, etc). Host farms are commercial, small-to-mid scale operations marketing to their local and regional community via a range of sales channels including farmers market, CSA, wholesale, and more. RFC participants are exposed to various farm production and marketing systems via RFC’s farm tour events.

Additional Details:

How to Apply:

APPLICATIONS:

Applications are accepted on our website on a rolling basis until March 1, but early applications are considered first. Apply by January 5th, 2021 for priority consideration. RFC tuition scholarship opportunities are available for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, veteran, and low-income applicants. 

RFC Tuition Scholarship Application deadline is also January 5th, 2021. If you are requesting a tuition scholarship you MUST fill out the short scholarship application by the deadline.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Rogue Farm Corps is committed to an ongoing learning process around privilege, power, inequality and systems of oppression. RFC has a goal of making our programs welcoming to, inclusive of, and accessible to communities who are under-represented as farm operators in Oregon, including women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, low-income individuals and immigrants. Our desire to create a more equitable food system is reflected in RFC’s programs and collaborations.

Learn more and apply: http://roguefarmcorps.org/training

To see an overview of all our farmer training programs, see our Programs At A Glance page.

Questions? Reach out! training@roguefarmcorps.org

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