An Apprenticeship Program for Those Who Want To Work on a Farm---Part of Series

An Apprenticeship Program for Those Who Want To Work on a Farm---Part of Series

Patrick Cavanaugh
Patrick Cavanaugh
The Center for Land Based Learning has a apprenticeship program for those who want to get closer to farming or farm managers for the tree nut industry and vineyards and other crops. Elaine Swiedler is the apprenticeship program coordinator for the Center of Land Based Learning, which is based in Winters, California.

There's a certain amount of like grounding that I think makes someone more successful on a farm operation. I think there's a lot of people who think that they want to do farming and maybe don't understand the full extent---with the highs and the lows and lots of people don't understand ag. Many people maybe don't see themselves as having a career in it, but we want people who know that this is what they want to do.

Swiedler said a lot of people think they're interested but don't know for sure. “And I think that in order to really do well in an apprenticeship, well first the farmers, are investing a lot of time, energy, and money. They are looking to hire long-term. And so we're looking for people who are able to invest just as much, and if they want to just start their own farm, we have a different program that's more suited for them.

“The apprenticeship program is for someone who's interested in working for someone else for a decent chunk of time and positives and the negatives that come with that. You're getting a mentor and a good chance to practice things on someone else's land, using equipment, and helping them farm,” said Swiedler.

To learn more go to LandBasedLearning.org/Programs. Then click on the apprenticeship button.

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