Apprentices participate fully in the production, education and research/demonstration actives if the Small Farm Unit as learners and partners. at the Small Farm Unit (SFU) at CEFS. CEFS is a collaboration of North Carolina State University (NCSU), North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University (NCA&TSU) and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA&CS). The Small Farm Unit is a 30 acre unit of CEFS, the 2,000 acre research and extension center for sustainable agriculture near Goldsboro in Wayne County , in eastern North Carolina .

Currently the SFU is engaged in the following research efforts, organic systems work (utilizing animals, soil building and high value crops), season extension (high tunnels, etc), organic transplant production, small fruit, pastured meat (goats and poultry), grafted tomatoes, and cover crop/no till system (organic and conventional).

Education outreach programs include; agriculture in the classroom (Discover Ag), and a variety of workshops (i.e. high tunnel, organic certification short course). A complete workshop listing and other CEFS information is available at the www.cefs.ncsu.edu website.

Apprentices come to learn the basics of running a small farm in eastern North Carolina in a practical hands-on manner by working with the Farm Manager, Extension Personnel and University Researchers at the Small Farm Unit on a daily basis. They assist with the daily tasks associated with a small farm and additionally help with educational outreach and assist research scientists in a variety of work assignments.

The apprenticeship is design around an entire growing season, March-October. Shorter durations can be explored. Some weekend and holiday work is required.

Housing and a modest stipend of one hundred dollars a week are provided. All CEFS workshops are free to apprentices and attendance/participation is highly encouraged.

For further information or to apply, contact: