Reflections from the YA Apprenticeship Program – Josephine Junas-Grant

Posted by Kolby Peterson on March 01, 2022 2 Comments

Josephine Junas-Grant apprenticed at The Homestead in Goodfare, Alberta. One year turned into two, and Jo started her own floral enterprise. She shares her experience through an original song, accompanied by Pebbles the dog and melodic background munching by goats. Josephine is now living and farming with Maryann Borch at Good Note Community Farm, near Leduc, Alberta.

Lyrics are below.

I arrived in early spring time
When the ground was bare
Worked each inch of soil
Planting seeds with care
…
Rained through the month of June
Drenched us to the bone
Trudging through the morning chores
While kicking at the stones
…
But I wouldn’t trade the hardest days for anything
Wouldn’t give it all away for gold
I wouldn’t trade the hardest days for anything
Wouldn’t have it any other way
…
Summer in the garden
Face kissed by the sun
Pulling weeds and thinning rows
With dreams of things to come
…
But I wouldn’t trade the hardest days for anything
Wouldn’t give it all away for gold
I wouldn’t trade the hardest days for anything
Wouldn’t have it any other way
…
It’s a long walk home
Down a lonely road
But I wouldn’t give the hardest days for anything
…
I’ve been a restless heart 
My whole life through
With a mind that wanders
And feet that follow suite
But I’m learning to grow
To set down roots
…
Josephine with her mentor, Lisa Kitt, and featuring the Youngest Agrarian, Murray Kitt.
Want to learn more about the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship Program?

2 thoughts on “Reflections from the YA Apprenticeship Program – Josephine Junas-Grant”

  1. Love your site; Encouraging. I am a widower/senior who wants to return to the land. The equity in my home in Salmon Arm, BC, is not sufficient to buy even a small acreage/farm. Leasing a place could be a possibility; but some sort of sharing is my preference.
    Co Housing is a concept whose time has come. However, there are no examples in the Shuswap, as far as I know. The contract, between two or more people, would be fairly involved, and requires a certain mindset (and meeting of the minds) to make it work.
    Is this something that your organization has dealt with or encountered?
    Any information you can share would be great. … Thank you, Steve Corrie.

    1. Hi Steve! Thanks for your message!

      You may find https://www.cohobc.com/ helpful – it has has a lot of resources on their site that dig collaborative home ownership. There are some handy resources in regards to legal agreements and finances.

      Hope that helps!
      JoHana

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