2025 Full Season Farm Apprentice

Organization: EarthDance Organic Farm School

Mission: EarthDance advances food justice by training organic farmers and gardeners of all ages, providing connection to healthy food and the land, and cultivating vibrant community.

Position: Full Season Farm Apprentice

Location: EarthDance Organic Farm School, 233 S Dade Ave, Ferguson, MO, 63135

Hours: 30 hours/week; March 4 - December 20, 2025

Regular Working Schedule: Tuesday: 8 hours; Thursday: 8 hours; Friday: 8 hours; Saturday: 6 hours

Farm Apprentices will be immersed in all areas of EarthDance crop production. This includes greenhouse seeding and propagation, sowing and transplanting, preparing fields for planting, crop cultivation and maintenance, disease and pest control, harvesting, washing and packing produce. Additionally, apprentices will learn about fruit tree pruning and care, selling and sharing our harvest via wholesale sales and retail at the Pay What You Can Farm Stand, and at the Ferguson Farmers Market. Participation in educational opportunities throughout the season on topics like soil health, raising chickens, fermentation & pickling, herbalism, mushroom production, and crop planning are enrichments that will be applicable to apprentices interests. 

During the full season apprenticeship, team members will be trained to use several tools and pieces of farm equipment. Apprentices will train and be equipped with the knowledge and skill set to work entry level positions in the agricultural industry and or start a small-scale food production operation upon completion of the apprenticeship.

Participants will also have opportunities to engage in youth and community programming, such as hosting summer campers on the farm, leading tours, or helping with events and outreach activities.

Essential Program Functions and Activities:

Farm Production Support (80%) 

1. Seeding: by hand and with seeders
2. Transplanting 
3. Weed eradication 
4. Irrigation management
5. Pest management
6. Harvesting
7. Post harvest handling and packing
8. High tunnel production and management
9. Cover cropping
10. Composting
11. Tool and equipment training and usage

Farm Stand/Market Support (10%)

1. Regularly stock farm stand.
2. Sell to customers and patrons of the Ferguson Farmers Market and EarthDance on-site Pay What You Can Farm Stand.
   

Misc. (10%) 

1. Assist with EarthDance special events and outreach.
2. Utilize and participate in EarthDance’s project management systems.
3. Participate in EarthDance programming, learn EarthDance’s farming systems to assess the needs of beginner farmers and gardeners.
4. Lead volunteer teams on farm maintenance tasks.
5. Contribute to overall team goals.

*Please note: Applicants are due on Dec 15, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please be sure to include: contact information, resume, cover letter, availability, and references in your application.

Requirements

While previous farming experience is not necessary, some growing experience and exploration into these topics before the apprenticeship is helpful. We are looking for individuals who are serious about exploring a career in agriculture in some capacity.

Benefits

• Monthly stipend paid at a rate of $15/hour for up to 30 hours/week of field training and programmatic participation
• Healthcare reimbursement stipend ($175/month)
• 1 week of PTO (30 hours upon approval) 
• 5 paid holidays
• Weekly share of produce May - October