Do you love animals, want to learn more about regenerative ranching practices and raise food directly for your community? Bar VI (6) Ranch is excited to offer a hands-on apprenticeship just for you!
ABOUT BAR VI RANCH
Bar VI Ranch is located near Langruth, Manitoba– Treaty 1 Territory
Bar VI is a fourth generation cow/calf ranch located 7 miles east of Langruth Manitoba, and sits on the edge of beautiful Lake Manitoba. The family is Kris and Clorissa Egilson and their 2 kids Lochlan and Adelyn (ages 5 and 2). Kris and Clorissa began to manage the 1600 acre ranch in 2013 and have run a regenerative cattle ranch with an intentional focus on soil health for the last 5 years. They market long yearlings in the fall and have been steadily growing their grass fed beef business. Bar VI Ranch has gone through the Accelerator Program through the Holistic Management (HM) organization and has Land to Market certification. The farm also participates in the HM Ecological Outcome Verification (EOV) program, and offers on-farm training opportunities.
Instagram: @barviranch
About the apprenticeship:
This apprenticeship is a great learning opportunity to experience how cattle can make a difference in the grassland health. The Apprentice would assist with general care of all animals (checking water, feeding, bedding, cleaning, health checks). Summer would consist of fence repairs, moving cattle for rotational grazing, checking water systems, making and storing hay, and equipment maintenance. Fall would consist of more cattle care, preparing feed, building and repairing fences and feeders, and other projects. The apprentice will also get to learn about the use of intercropping, rotational grazing, and improving the land they use for ranching.
As part of the apprenticeship, you will meet with other apprentices across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta who are part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship program. Field days, learning opportunities and potlucks will be planned with the Manitoba group at each hosts farm. You will also be invited to attend a regenerative or organic food conference during or following the apprenticeship.
About the farm mentors:
A bit about Kris:
*Has a huge passion for regenerative agriculture and providing good quality, sustainably raised grass fed beef from their farm to your table. He is excited to share this passion and knowledge with an enthusiastic apprentice.
*He is a professional engineer and works off farm as well. He likes applying technology to solve problems!
*Grew up on the farm where they are currently living and managing and always had a plan to come back home as farming is his true passion.
A bit about Clorissa:
*She works off farm as well in the healthcare field.
*Grew up on a grain farm in Manitoba
*Has a passion for telling their farm story, connecting with people, and raising their children, Lochlan and Adelyn on this ranch.
Skills this farm has to teach:
The following skills are being offered by this farm. While you’ll get exposure to many of these areas, it is likely that not all will be covered. Apprentices will work to identify the skills they want to develop through a learning plan with the host farm.
| ANIMAL HEALTH & SAFETY | FENCING & ROTATIONAL GRAZING |
|---|---|
| CROP & LIVESTOCK INTEGRATION | CALVING, CARING FOR CALVES |
| BASIC BOOKKEEPING & RECORD KEEPING | LIVESTOCK WATERING SYSTEMS |
| CERTIFICATION PROCESSES | SOIL HEALTH |
| SILAGE AND FEED, CATTLE NUTRITION | MAINTENANCE OF MACHINERY |
Skill required of the apprentice:
- Any experience working with animals is a plus, but a desire to learn is a must!
- A good work ethic and ability to work independently.
- Physically fit and willing to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
- Clear communication about expectations and contribution.
Housing, Stipend and Duration:
- A fifth wheel camper is available for the apprentice to stay in. It has water and sewer hookups. The camper is in a different yard site than the host farm mentor’s house.
- Internet is available near the house and the apprentice will have access to the ranch’s laundry facilities.
- Wage starts at $16/hr depending on experience/skill level. Work days are usually 8 hours long. Lunch and housing expenses are included, along with the occasional communal supper.
- Start date is flexible and could be adjusted if needed to work around university students schedules. – Start May/June and end in the Fall.
- Days off will include all holidays and most weekends.
About the Community and Land:
Bar VI Ranch sits on the edge of Lake Manitoba and is 7 miles east of the town of Langruth. Langruth has a store, post office, school daycare, library and hall. The ranch is 50km to Gladstone Manitoba. Some perks to the farm’s location include being only a few miles from a Seasonal Campground on Lake Manitoba and only 5 miles from a public beach, called Hollywood Beach.
Bar VI Ranch Farm is located on Treaty 1 lands. These are the original lands of the Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Red River Métis.
Young Agrarians recognizes the unresolved Indigenous land title and rights in the diverse territories in what is today called Canada. As we live and work in the context of and in response to a colonial system of laws and policies, it is important to acknowledge the historical and ongoing impact of agriculture and land enclosure on Indigenous lands and food systems. In this context, we acknowledge our collective responsibility to position Indigenous Peoples and their experiences with coloniality, in a narrative of reconciliation that places ecology, land stewardship, and Indigenous land title and rights at the forefront – if we are to sustain the Earth’s ecosystems in today’s rapidly changing climate.
Our deepest hope is that the future of our food systems is diverse, interconnected, and resilient, embraces people of all walks of life and sustains the water, plants, and creatures in ways that benefit and work alongside Indigenous Peoples and narratives and ways of knowing and caring for the land.
This farm, like many others, is surrounded by agricultural cultivated land, uncultivated land, Indigenous people and voices from non-settler walks of life. We encourage everyone to build relationship with the land and community that surrounds the place where you will be learning.
More Details about this Apprenticeship and How to Apply
Deadline to apply > January 31, 2024
Contact Jenn (program coordinator) for questions: manitoba@youngagrarians.org