We are seeking Host Farm Mentors for the 2025 season of Young Agrarians (YA) Apprenticeship Program in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to grow the next generation of regenerative agriculture practitioners.
Are you a rancher or farmer who is a dedicated steward of the land? Are you a skilled and enthusiastic teacher who has a passion for mentoring young and aspiring farmers? Do you have a farm philosophy that recognizes the connectedness of the land and people?
Well if the boot fits, then you would likely make a good mentor in our program!
What it’s like to be a Host Farm Mentor
About the YA Apprenticeship Program
The apprenticeship program started in Alberta in 2016, in Saskatchewan and Manitoba in 2021 and in British Columbia in 2024. To date we have had 88 apprentices working with 71 host farm mentors.
An apprenticeship that fits into your farm
As a host farm, we will work with you to design an apprenticeship experience that suits your goals and context. Apprenticeships typically take place over 4 – 8 months during the growing season. They are typically a full-time placement where the apprentice lives on farm, however that can be adapted and tailored for your situation.
Structured program support from Young Agrarians
Young Agrarians will design a customized description of your opportunity that includes specific learning experiences that you have to offer. We’ll promote it to our network and beyond. We’ll receive applications for you and set up video interviews to assist you in selecting your apprentice.
Help to create a top notch learning experience
During the program, we’ll support the achievement of learning goals through a skills check list tailored to your farm. We’ll provide regular check-ins with both you and the apprentices to see how the learning experience is going. We are also there to facilitate communication if expectations aren’t being met or if there is conflict. We’ll also organize extra farm tours for apprentices to gather and learn from other mentoring farms.
Training on how to be a great mentor
Host farm mentors are the cornerstone of this program as teachers, coaches and guides for new farmers. We’ll provide learning opportunities for you to develop as a mentor and gain experience from other mentors involved in apprenticeships.
Apply to be a Host Farm Mentor
For more on mentor expectations and applying to be a mentor visit:
https://youngagrarians.org/tools/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-become-a-mentor/
For full details on the apprenticeship program, visit:
https://youngagrarians.org/tools/apprenticeships/apprenticeship-program/
Contact us:
If you are in British Columbia, contact Tessa, the BC Apprenticeship Coordinator at tessa@youngagrarians.org
If you are in Saskatchewan, contact Alieka, the SK Apprenticeship Coordinator at saskatchewan@youngagrarians.org
If you are in Manitoba, contact Jennifer, the MB Apprenticeship Coordinator at jennifer@youngagrarians.org
If you are in Alberta and for any other apprenticeship program questions, contact Justin Girard, the Program Manager at manitoba@youngagrarians.org
Leewood Ranch
All aspects of beef cattle development of beef bulls
Calving processing setting up diners and recipes !
AI ing off 300 cows
Prep for bull and her sale March
Hi Howard,
Would you like to apply to be a mentor in the Apprenticeship Program? If you are in Alberta, reach out to Kolby, the Alberta Apprenticeship Coordinator, at apprenticeship@youngagrarians.org. If you are in Saskatchewan or Manitoba, contact Dana, the Prairies Program Manager at prairies@youngagrarians.org or call 780-914-6282
Cheers,
Michi