General Farm Description: Apprentices are matched with successful farmers in beautiful Northwest Arkansas based on the production system they are interested in learning. Most of the farm opportunities have specialty crops (vegetables, fruit, flowers, etc) and some have integrated crop-livestock systems. Application found at https://farmandfoodsystem.uark.edu/apprenticeship-programs/
CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: 1-Jan-22 Internship Ends: Seasonal Number of Internship Available: 8 Application Deadline: 1-Dec-21 Minimum Length of Stay: 10 months
Internship Details:
The Center for Arkansas Farms and Food is part of the University of Arkansas System , Division of Agriculture in partnership with successful farms in Northwest Arkansas. The program includes 21 educational classes, and on-farm placement. The classes focus on foundational topics important to regenerative farming practices and sustainable farm business management while the on-farm experience allows apprentices to learn while working alongside experienced farmers. The program targets those wanting to farm as a profession. It exposes apprentices to regional farm service providers and resources, mentorship with experienced diversified farmers, and provides networking opportunities with other beginning farmers.
Educational Opportunities: yes - a series of 21 farm entrepreneurship classes are organized to provide information on key topics necessary to starting a farm and provide exposure to ag service providers in NWA. These include a partnership with NWA Land Trust and market distribution through The Food Conservancy.
Skills Desired: previous farming or gardening experience preferred. CAFF also offers The Farm School for those with little to no experience.