Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
Katydid Hill

Farm stat: Helped grow, harvest, and dry about 1,000 pounds of dried medicinal plants
Favorite farm task: Seeding or tractor cultivation
Least favorite farm task: Punching holes in the header of irrigation pipes
Favorite beneficial creature: Praying mantis or swallow tails

Delilah participated in Pasa’s Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship program at Katydid Hill Farm, learning the ins and outs of running and managing a farm. She got her start making tinctures and working with herbal medicine, prompting her to search for a deeper connection and understanding of where the plants came from. Delilah remembers her time harvesting milky oats by hand and learning how to check the ripeness by squeezing the latex out of the pods.

After graduating, she will be making a pivot and working on copywriting projects, in the hopes of writing for conservation organizations in the near future. In the long term, she would like to obtain land in the Appalachian mountains to grow woodland medicinals such as ginseng, goldenseal, reishi, cordyceps, and so much more.

“I learned how to do things that once intimidated me, confidently.”

For more on Delilah, take a look at this in-depth interview.

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
The LEAF Project

Farm stat: Sending out over 1,200 boxes of produce
Favorite farm task: Harvesting bunching greens
Least favorite farm task: Moving row cover
Favorite beneficial creature: Parasitic wasps

Among a variety of skills, Conor gained confidence in decision-making through their experience as a Dairy Grazing Apprentice at The LEAF Project. They began volunteering on a farm in high school and have since worked on a total of five farms before the apprenticeship. Conor remembers the time the entire team quickly applied three inches of mushroom soil to 10 beds!

After graduating, Conor will continue working at LEAF as the farm manager.

“Be organized. You’ll never regret time spent preparing”

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
Dickinson College Farm

Farm stat: 2.2 ears of sweet corn sampled per day, 45 gallons of tractor hydraulic fluid drained and changed in 2023
Favorite farm task: Early morning green harvest
Least favorite farm task: Sorting onions
Favorite beneficial creature: Composting worms or Aphidius colemani

Raymond joined the Dickinson College Farm as a Crew Leader, learning the technicalities of farming and the value of management and professionalism. He found himself humbled by the learning curves of vegetable growing–familiarizing himself with the vocabulary, attuning his senses to listen to the land, and understanding the ergonomics of using his body. He also completed training provided by his employer and took courses offered through Pasa. Raymond became interested in farming while completing his undergraduate education at Penn State’s College of Ag-Sci and interning with Penn State Extension.

After graduating from the apprenticeship, Raymond will be joining the team at Fireside Farms in Loudon County, VA. He is excited to be closer to his partner, support Fireside’s excellent vegetable production and markets, and continue to explore composting and farm mechanics.

“Don’t be too smart for your own good, and don’t let perfection get in the way. It’s easy to get caught up in the minutia especially as someone aspiring to be a professional, but I’ve found that practice and repetition are what builds competence and intuition. Rely on your mentors as your baseline and your bumpers, and count on yourself to get your jobs done and grow while doing so.”

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
Apple Ridge Farm

Farm stat: Worked in eight different markets over the past two years
Favorite farm task: Planting seedlings
Least favorite farm task: Weeding
Favorite beneficial creature: Ladybugs

Ventura worked at Apple Ridge Farm as an apprentice, becoming a more experienced, confident, and knowledgeable teacher and farm worker who spoke up when needed. They have experience hunting, raising various farm animals, and stewarding a garden, which eventually turned into a love for the food and farm community. 

With the help of Apple Ridge Farm, Ventura co-founded Untamed Ferments, a business that turns leftover crops into kombucha. Upon graduating, they hope to expand their business to farmers markets and reach local communities more thoroughly.

“It truly does take hard work and dedication. A lot of people don’t know the ups and downs of farming, but the satisfaction of harvesting all the amazing crops is the best feeling you could ever get. Always give it your all, and never give up!”

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
Nook & Cranny Farm

Farm stat: Provided 5,000 shares worth of vegetables to CSA members
Favorite farm task: Harvesting cabbages
Least favorite farm task: Deconstructing cucumber trellises
Favorite beneficial creature: Garter snakes

Michael worked at Nook & Cranny Farm as an apprentice, which helped demystify the art of farming for him–where growing food once seemed like a magic trick, now feels like a crucial and attainable piece of any household and community. He became interested in the apprenticeship after growing up on a farm and recognizing the important roles that farms play in rural communities. Michael’s appetite for learning and affinity for question-asking were beautiful to witness! 

Michael has accepted a position as a crew member on an organic, no-till diversified farm in Minnesota and will be working towards his dream of owning and operating his own farm.

“People in this network truly want to share their experiences and knowledge. It is crucial to really put yourself out there early because the experiences you make in the program will snowball and determine who you will meet and the interests you will pursue for the rest of the apprenticeship.”

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
The LEAF Project

Farm stat: 82 households fed weekly
Favorite farm task: Seeding and planting
Least favorite farm task: Bed-prepping by hand
Favorite beneficial creatures: Mantids and assassin bugs

Amber was an apprentice at The LEAF Project, where she was able to diversify her skillset using the provided apprenticeship checklist. She deeply appreciated the structure of the program, becoming more aware of her strengths as a farmer. During her tenure, she was able to co-mange the construction of a caterpillar tunnel project, which led to almost double their winter growing capacity.

Amber will continue working with LEAF after completing the program.

“Farming requires an incredibly diverse skill set. I recommend anyone interested in pursuing that life to consider this structured program to learn a wide range of skills to be successful.”

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
North Star Orchard

Farm stat: The amount of sweet potatoes that are not damaged in any way
Favorite farm task: Cultivation
Least favorite farm task: Washroom
Favorite beneficial creature: Worms

RJ worked at North Star Orchard as a Diversified Vegetable Apprentice and was able to find their personal niche in the world of farming. They have had prior experience with running and maintaining equipment and was an expert at using the cultivating tractor, keeping beds weed-free!

RJ will continue working at their family farm and making the switch from monocropping to cultivating a diverse landscape.

“Don’t run the undercutter too deep.”

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
Apple Ridge Farm

Farm stat: Worked at seven farmers markets in three states
Favorite farm task: Weeding
Least favorite farm task: Anything involving chickens
Favorite beneficial creature: Ladybug

Erik worked as an apprentice at Apple Ridge Farm, developing not only as a farmer but as a business professional who networked with other farmers and customers. He got his start in agriculture by volunteering at his college’s farm and learning from his mother, who worked in horticulture. Erik finds excitement in the mundane, treasuring moments, such as the time he chased chickens and a chicken pen from a stream of river in the middle of a rainstorm. 

After his apprenticeship, Erik will be working on expanding his fermented drink business while continuing his tenure at Apple Ridge. He hopes to improve the efficiency of the farm and build a solid foundation for future apprentices and employees.

“Everyone’s training style is different–some mentors are very direct and straightforward while others teach through action and repetition. It’s important to always ask questions and find a good method of communication in order to get the most out of your experience. Although the apprenticeship focuses on farming, you’ll come away with much more experience in life as a whole.”

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
New Morning Farm, Tooth of the Lion Farm & Apothecary

Farm stat: Dried over 1,000 pounds of herbs and flowers
Favorite farm task: Installing and maintaining irrigation
Least favorite farm task: Hand weeding
Favorite beneficial creature: Praying mantis

San’s tenure as an apprentice at both New Morning Farm and Tooth of the Lion Farm & Apothecary showed him the various facets of a farm business, from planting seeds to harvesting and marketing. He learned how to make financial decisions and now feels confident that he has the skills to succeed as a farmer. San became interested in farming because he wanted to grow medicinal herbs and work in holistic medicine. While he worked on an herb farm in California, he realized that farming encompassed everything about him, including being outdoors, working with his hands, being artistic, solving problems, and adapting to adversity. 

San will be growing medicinal herbs and launching a business selling teas, tinctures, and smoke blends to support veterans like himself and advocate for alternative medicines to help with anxiety, depression, stress, and insomnia.

“There is importance in self-care and pacing yourself throughout the season, so you won’t burn out or injure yourself physically or mentally. August to September is especially hard. You have to find time to relax and enjoy yourself.” 

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
Village Acres Farm & Foodshed

Farm stat: Spent approximately 250 hours at markets
Favorite farm task: Planting and weeding
Least favorite farm task: Fixing irrigation pipes that are broken
Favorite beneficial creature: Lady beetles

Phoebe’s tenure as an apprentice at Village Acres Farm & Foodshed helped her appreciate vegetable farmers as frontline workers against our changing climate. Village Acres Farm has always been a huge part of her life, but working in fine dining was what inspired Phoebe to grow vegetables. She also has an extensive background in specialty cut flower growing, floral design, and marketing. 

After graduating, she will be returning to the world of growing specialty cut flowers with Wilding Hope, who will work alongside Village Acres Farm. She is particularly inspired to increase native perennials as a way of increasing bird populations for insect control.

“Be ready to pivot. Planning can go a long way, but flexibility is the key.” 

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
Katydid Hill

Farm stat: Harvested and dried about 1,000 pounds of dried medicinal plants
Favorite farm task: Seeding or tractor cultivation
Least favorite farm task: Punching holes in the header of irrigation pipes
Favorite beneficial creatures: Praying mantis and swallowtails

Delilah participated as an apprentice at Katydid Hill Farm, learning the ins and outs of running and managing a farm. She got her start making tinctures and working with herbal medicine, prompting her to search for a deeper connection and understanding of where the plants came from. Delilah will always remember her time harvesting milky oats by hand and learning how to check the ripeness by squeezing the latex out of the pods.

After graduating, she will be making a pivot and working on copywriting projects in hopes of writing for conservation organizations in the near future. In the long term, she would like to obtain land in the Appalachian mountains to grow woodland medicinals such as ginseng, goldenseal, reishi, cordyceps, and so much more.

“I learned how to do things that once intimidated me, confidently.” 

Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship
New Morning Farm

Favorite farm task: Harvesting greens and garlic
Least favorite farm task: Slow-growing winter months
Favorite beneficial creature: Crab spider

On top of being a chef and advocate for fresh local foods, Subarna completed his apprenticeship with New Morning Farm, adding ‘farmer’ to his list of repertoire. Although he has had various experiences with food, his passion for fresh local food stems from growing up in Kathmandu, Nepal, where eating fresh, local foods and delighting in meals with friends and family are ways of life. Subarna hopes to inspire other people who are thinking about a career change at a later stage in life to consider pursuing farming and agriculture. 

Subarna is hoping to find a small property in the Gettysburg area to start an herb and vegetable farm with a certified commercial kitchen on site. He wants to mainly grow herbs and support other local farmers by utilizing his talents in cooking, menu design, and food production in collaboration.

“It is very intimidating in the beginning to manage a crop and take full responsibility for its well-being, but if you always monitor its development closely and be proactive, the success rate is very high. Don’t forget that plants are resilient–just like us. They want to grow well.”