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Check out the CEFS Apprentice Blog!
Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2012 Small Farm Unit Summer Apprenticeships.
See Also
Contacts
Dr. John M. O'Sullivan
Small Farm Unit Coordinator
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
336-285-4683
johno@ncat.edu
Shorlette Ammons
Community Foods Systems Outreach Coordinator
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
Small Farm Unit
919-288-0192
sammonss@ncat.edu
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Small Farm Unit Apprenticeships for 2012
Local Food Development Certification Program offered by Center for Environmental Farming Systems at the Small Farm Unit (SFU)
The CEFS Apprenticeship is a work and study program in which apprentices learn various aspects of sustainable agriculture through focusing on three key areas:
The SFU has become an integral part of the Goldsboro community through program partnerships. Apprentices will play a major role in continuing to develop these community connections by participation in ag literacy opportunities such as our Discover Ag program and in outreach to the Goldsboro community through the Wayne Food Initiative partnership, community gardens and farmers markets.
Apprentices will work closely with the Small Farm Unit Manager and the Community Food Systems Outreach Coordinator as well as the local Wayne County Cooperative Extension Center and the Wayne County community to develop expertise in the above focus areas. The Small Farm Unit Apprenticeship program seeks to offer a diverse experience that will allow learners to engage in a broad, hands-on learning adventure! Apprentices will engage in the following learning topics:
Fundamentals of Ag Production
- Experience a full production year, from spring planting (February) to fall harvest (October);
- Including season extension with high tunnels and a small greenhouse.
- Organic production certification and GAP food safety standards;
- Small farm financial management including record keeping and enterprise budgets.
- Small scale production of vegetables, fruits, transplants, cover crops and livestock including bees;
- Soil science, integrated pest and weed management;
- Issues of sustainability will be highlighted throughout;
- Including topics such as energy and water use.
- Hands-on involvement with University based field research conducted at the Small Farm Unit and other units.
Community Food Systems
- Community development and engagement;
- Food security;
- Localization;
- Youth and community programming;
- Grant writing for small farmers and nonprofits and community project funding;
- Opportunities to work with summer interns;
- Assist communities to understand their resources, their choices and their partners.
Education, Extension and Outreach
- Assist with the elementary school level Discover Ag youth program;
- Assist with the many visitor tours at CEFS and the Small Farm Unit;
- Participate in and assist with educational programs at the Small Farm Unit and on other CEFS units including the CEFS Seasons of Sustainable Agriculture (SOSA);
- Develop SFU news updates and monthly blogs;
- Provide leadership during the summer internship program at CEFS.
A limited number of apprenticeships are available.
Summer apprenticeships are from February through October. A winter apprenticeship is available from October through January. During the apprenticeship, independent projects are encouraged.
We offer a small stipend ($100/week), housing with access to a kitchen, and the Internet. Apprentices may attend CEFS workshops free of charge and may have the opportunity to participate in the formal intern teaching seminars. Upon completion of the program, a Certificate of Achievement will be presented and recorded in our files.