Across the prairie provinces Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba we have a new 2023 cohort of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program. Please join us in welcoming this inspiring crew of eager learners who are jumping on regenerative and ecological farms to dig into farming!
What is the YA Apprenticeship Program? Our apprenticeships are a full immersion program that puts you into the heart of running a farm business, day in and day out. Our carefully selected family of farm mentors have diverse expertise and skill sets – their farm philosophy is guided by a holistic framework that recognizes the connectedness of the land and people. Although farm activities will be different on each farm, the core activities will involve care of soil, pasture and livestock, farm direct marketing, and using sustainable practices for cereal, grain, and vegetables.
Want to learn more about the YA Apprenticeship Program? Read more about becoming a YA Apprentice or becoming a mentor in the program. Psst…there are still a few farms recruiting apprentices for the 2023 season. It’s not too late to apply!
We are pleased to introduce the 2023 apprentices:
Manitoba:
Alice Hamilton – Almost Urban Vegetables – Winnipeg, MB
I am an aspiring agrarian and an artist from Winnipeg MB. I am most at peace when I am close to nature, and I have always envisioned living in a community-sufficient way that treads with care upon the earth. I am inspired by the ecological solutions that regenerative agriculture offers, and venturing into this domain seemed to be the most logical next step for me at this time. I am excited to learn all about growing food for the community this season!
Kathryn Loewen – The Dogs Run Farm– Clearwater, MB
Hi there, I’m Katheryn! I’ll be apprenticing at The Dogs Run Farm this season. I grew up in Treaty 1 territory, where the rivers meet in Winnipeg, Manitoba. I love to get my hands dirty, whether that be in the garden, with a wrench in my hand, or rolling out a batch of cookies. My last few years have been spent working for an environmental organization, running a community bike shop, and advocating for active transportation. I’m excited to take these values and learn how they fit into agriculture – reducing negative impacts on the planet along with working to address inequity and build healthy, resilient communities. Spending time outdoors is an important part of my life. I feel most myself when I’m outside, and I’m interested in learning more about what it means to be in good relationship with the land, especially as that relates to food production and animal husbandry. I’m looking forward to this new direction and I’m excited to learn new skills, build relationships, and find my place in the world of regenerative agriculture
Saskatchewan:
Richelle Bamber – Richards Family Farm – Bangor, SK
Hi there, my name is Richelle Bamber, and I will be apprenticing at the Richards Family Farm. I come from grain farm roots, an environmental science education, and a deep respect for nature and its processes. I believe that regenerative farming could be my contribution to mitigating the climate crisis while doing what I love. I joined young agrarians to decipher whether farming is a venture I can embark on solo. Long term, I’d love to have my own small mixed farm that provides nutritious food for my community, adapts to the changing climate, and allows me to explore my creativity.
Kira Walz – Grovenland Farm – Lanigan, SK
Hiya! I’m Kira; I’m a trans non-binary settler currently living in Mohkinstsis/Calgary, Alberta. I’m so stoked to apprentice this summer at Grovenland Farm. I’ve spent the last 6 months mulling over “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” and am looking forward to growing a reciprocal relationship with the land, grounded in respect and joy, that Robin Wall Kimmerer talks about. My vision for the future of ecological agriculture is one that is accessible, also urban, and with an Indigenous informed and social justice approach. As a budding social worker, I am interested in the healing aspects of working with the land and I can’t wait to learn all that I can this summer! A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this a reality.
Blaid Snedden – Upland Organics – Wood Mountain, SK
Hello! My name is Blaid Snedden and I will be apprenticing down in Wood Mountain, SK at Upland Organics! I am hoping to learn as much as I can in the short time that I am in the program! I am really looking forward to working with the cattle, learning more about how crops are grown and the different ways it can be done. My long-term farm dreams are to have my own farm (or marry into one), have my own herd of cows and raise my kids to enjoy the farm life, an opportunity I didn’t have as a young kid. My hopes for the future of ecological agriculture is that we can bring back the natural ways of farming, learning things from those who did it before all the technology and benefits we have today.
Taryn Sandbeck – Springer Family Farm – Foam Lake, SK
My name is Taryn Sandbeck and I will be apprenticing on the Springer Family Farm. I grew up working on our family ranch. I have joined the Young Agrarians apprenticeship program to get some field work experience alongside my education at Saskatchewan Polytechnic in the Agriculture and Food Production program. I chose to apply for the position on the Springer Family Farm because they are a mixed operation. I have previous work experience with cattle and am working on continuing my education with grain farming and running equipment. I look forward to improving my skills with running equipment and my education in regenerative agriculture.
Alberta:
Troy Lam – Root and Regenerate – Calgary, AB
Hello everyone, my name is Troy Lam, and I am currently studying Horticulture at Olds College. I have always loved spending time in nature and admire both the simplicity and complexity of plants and animals. I grew up at a remote village in Hong Kong, we have a small piece of land with several fruit trees. I always enjoyed carrying out various growing experiments (albeit none of them were successful) around my family’s land, and I believe that cultivated my passion for growing things and paved the way for me to enter the industry of vegetable production. In terms of my other passion, I am a big history lover and my background is in archaeology. I actually plan to continue my study in this field in the future. Eventually, I hope to bridge the knowledge I get in food production to archaeology as I will be equipped with more knowledge to investigate how people in the past acquired their food.
Jennica Taylor – Common Ground Garden Project – Red Deer, AB
I am a wife and mom to 2 amazing kiddos and I love to grow things! It never ceases to amaze me that you can plunk some seeds into the soil and eventually these incredible plants emerge and thrive. Plants are awesome! I will be apprenticing under ReThink Red Deer at the Common Ground Garden and Piper Creek Restoration Agriculture Projects in Red Deer, Central Alberta. I am excited to join the ranks of the Young Agrarian Apprenticeship Program as I am looking to gain more experience and perspective working in agriculture within the urban context. I dream of running a large market garden within the confines of the city. Local food for the local people! It is by reclaiming unused space and purposefully growing healthy productive crops that I see our urban centers contributing to restorative environmental works, even more so than ‘cutting emissions’ and ‘going green’. Keep growing!
Jacob Ulickij – Good Note Community Farm – Edmonton, AB
Howdy! I’m Jacob—a writer, brewer, and musician living in Alberta. After wondering how the outdoors, community-building, and animal care could be a full-time career, I was luckily introduced to the YA community through an alum member. With the help of YA mentors and friends, I look forward to expanding Albertan’s options for agritourism, destination camping, and sustainable produce. When not gardening or tinkering on songs, I co-breed Borzoi, host couchsurfers, and consult for microbreweries while hiking, swimming, and paddling the Canadian wilderness. Happily accepting sci-fi recommendations and plant cuttings!
Magda Gopaul – Carrots by Cam – Carseland, AB
My name is Magda, and I am apprenticing at Cam’s Carrots this summer. I joined the apprenticeship program because I am passionate about being outside, getting my hands dirty, and growing organic food. Growing up in the city, I’ve always wanted a closer connection to nature and that led me to study horticulture at Olds College. I think that there is so much good to do in the world and regenerative practices are the future. The community around it is one of endless learning and growth and while it is hard work, it is a joy to be a part of. I would like to be involved in regenerative farming and the restoration of land/re-wilding in my career, and I look forward to learning more about where in the industry I fit through this apprenticeship. My hope for the future is that knowledge of regenerative practices can become more widespread and integrate into the urban lifestyle. I believe it can make our earth a better place for generations to come and have a great personal impact on people’s lives, as it has on mine. I am very excited to immerse myself in the industry this summer and learn lots!
Kessilyn Fernandes Izzi – Reclaim Organics – Pigeon Lake, AB
I will be apprenticing in Edmonton, Alberta from May to September since I go back to University by the end of Summer. I joined Young Agrarian’s for my love to nature. Playing with the soil and witnessing plants and food becoming mature and ready to full our belly’s is so fulfilling to me. I am hoping to learn a lot about the cycle of seeds, veggies and everything we will be planting , to understand better and deeper how it works, how to take care of it and how to have rich and healthy soil and to produce aliment in a organic way that is beneficial for us and for our mama earth. My hopes for the future of ecological agriculture is to bring back most as possible, our native, no GMO, no chemical, organic, seed back . So that they take over. Also to reduce the flourishing spread of chemical, and pesticides on our lands. To have beautiful organic aliment to nourish our families. Thank you for reading my bio! I am so happy to met like minded people. I can wait to met you all , get to know you and share with you. See you soon!
Michelle DuBois – Triple Lyoness Farm – Westlock, AB
Hi, I’m Michelle and I’m apprenticing at triple Lyoness farm by Westlock Alberta. I joined Young Agrarians because I wished to meet other people with the same goals as well as the hope that Young Agrarians would help me further my education. My long term goals are to gain experience and knowledge in the agricultural community, I also am currently wanting to go to university to either become a big animal vet or an agronomist but am unsure. However, you’re probably wondering a bit about me as a person. I’m 19 and a graduate of wisdom homeschooling. I am a professional Ukrainian dancer and I also teach Ukrainian dance on the side. I love animals of all kinds and have volunteered to train service dogs for 7 years. I absolutely love being outdoors and active, and I’m a super happy and bubbly person with a little bit of a crazy side as well.
Marie Durieu – Triple Lyoness Farm – Westlock, AB
My name is Marie Durieu, and I’m excited to be apprenticing for the Triple Lyoness Farm this year. Though raised outside of agriculture, I’ve spent the last year working horses in Kananaskis country and have a love for animals, the outdoors, and ranching. As an Animal Science student at Dalhousie University’s Agricultural Campus, Young Agrarians provides a unique opportunity to consolidate my schooling with real-word farming experience. New to agriculture, I look forward to learning more about life with livestock, particularly beef cattle, acquiring farm equipment skills, and applying regenerative techniques in agriculture. I dream of farming full time in the future, and hope to use the experience gained during my time apprenticing in my efforts to establish a cattle ranch which operates in communion with both the livestock and the land.
Nate Richards – Grey Arrow Farm – Camrose, AB
Enthusiastic and eager eccentric with a love for the living earth. Originally from a small farm town on Vancouver Island, he moved to the city of Calgary at a young age. Ever fascinated with the natural world, he began his pursuit into the world of regenerative agriculture in 2022. Inspired to delve deeper into the dirt from the year before, he’s coming back for round two, an apprentice on Grey Arrow Farm.
Joey Slinger – The Homestead – Goodfare, AB
Hey everyone! My name is Joey and I’m very excited to be working with Donovan and Lisa at The Homestead in Goodfare, AB this summer. First I would like to say I am truly grateful for this program as I believe that farming can be one of the most meaningful professions and there is a need for new farmers and new ideas. I am hoping to be one of those new farmers myself so I am eager to learn everything I possibly can about farming this summer. As for my current (but constantly evolving) passion, I’m particularly interested in the holistic aspect of farming and studying the interwoven systems which make up the environment. I’m hoping that with the practical on-farm experience that I’ll receive from The Homestead and the academic knowledge I’m receiving in my environmental studies program; I’ll be able to become a farm operator/consultant/land flipper(?). I don’t know if the last one is a thing although I think there’s an importance in transforming less-arable land into an easy to run farm operation. I’m a big believer in the benefits an agrarian society can bring to the table, and I think creating an opportunity to take over a well-honed system will incentivize more people to venture down the path less traveled. Cheers
Chelsea Finn – Lady’s Hat Farm – Castor, AB
My name is Chelsea (she/her) and I’m thrilled to be joining Lady’s Hat Farm as an apprentice this summer. I’m eager to learn about sustainable flower farming + agriculture and develop my skills in floral arranging, soil health, and food production. My longer-term farm dreams include owning and operating a small-scale, regenerative farm that contributes to a more sustainable food system. I believe that ecological agriculture is critical to the future of our planet and our communities. By prioritizing soil health, biodiversity, and ethical animal husbandry, we can create healthy ecosystems and nourishing food that support both human and environmental well-being. I’m excited to be part of a movement towards a more sustainable and just food system, and I can’t wait to see where this apprenticeship takes me.