This report presents a draft plan for a Hudson Valley-wide farmer apprenticeship program coordinated by the Glynwood Center for Regional Food and Farming in Cold Spring, NY. The program supports host farms to provide robust apprenticeships by offering program structure, direct training, resource coordination and network building for apprentices and for mentors.

This document was developed by the Quivira Coalition and is intended to provide NAP (New Agrarian Program) participants with general recommendations for safety during COVID-19, as well as an update on how the pandemic is affecting NAP’s programmatic offerings. The suggestions in the document are meant to be used as a starting point—it is up to individual and mentors to decide which precautions to take based on their unique situation.

This toolkit is designed to introduce apprenticeship training programs to the topics and frameworks that mentors have identified as challenges and that are important for mentors to address to offer a successful learning experience for their trainees. While agricultural mentors are likely experts in their field with many years of experience running an agricultural business, they still benefit from improving their skills and capacities as mentors,

New Entry Sustainable Farming Project co-hosted a mentor training with 40 participants from across the Northeast in collaboration with the Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in New York State on February 5, 2019.  The training was conducted by experienced farm mentors, Julie Sullivan (founding Quivira Coalition NAP mentor) and Polly Shyka (an experienced mentor in MOFGA’s JourneyPerson program).  The agenda provided was a working document referencing the topics discussed, tools used, and facilitators to plan and guide the day.

The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA) Candidate Tipsheet provides mentor candidates with tips for what to include in their profile, and factors to consider when looking for apprentices. This includes what information should be shared and how to make an interesting profile for apprentice applications.

This template, authored by Quivira Coalition's New Agrarian Program, provides specific requirements and standards set for performance and expectations for mentors. It clearly states protocol for compensation, safety, communication, housing expectations and other important considerations for the workplace.

This document, developed by Julie Sullivan, founding mentor of the Quivira Coalition's New Agrarian Program, provides examples and suggestions to help orient new apprentices to the farm and/or program. This includes adjusting to a new place and schedule, and advice on how to approach the work while providing your personal goals and perspective. This outline helps to set expectations and understanding between mentor and apprentice while getting settled in.

The Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship Candidate Tipsheet provides mentor candidates with tips for what to include in their profile, and factors to consider when looking for apprentices. This includes what information should be shared and how to make an interesting profile for apprentice applications.

Rogue Farm Corps’ internship and apprenticeship programs are designed to train the next generation of farmers and ranchers through a structured, educational framework that includes on-farm training, classes, farm tours, discussion groups, and independent projects.  These programs are designed to meet the legal criteria for unpaid internships and apprenticeships. Host farmers partner with Rogue Farm Corps and serve as primary mentors for the interns and apprentices on their farm.

Safety on the farm: Getting your Apprentice started with good safety habits. Tip sheet from Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship (DGA)