Are you an aspiring farmer looking to take the next step in gaining practical hands-on skills? Is farming in your future, but you are not quite ready to take the plunge in setting up your own business? Kettle Crossing Farm is offering an apprenticeship program with valuable knowledge and experience to help you on your farming journey.
About the Farm
Kettle Crossing Farm lies on the eastern slopes of the Rockies, an hour and a quarter northwest of Calgary. It is run by Sandy Easterbrook, Bob Griebel and their niece Tess Griebel (a fellow young farmer). Two creeks wander through the quarter section and the Red Deer River is just to the west, providing opportunities to canoe, fish, swim and hike. The farm concentrates on pasturing their East Friesian sheep and dairy cows for cheese production which sold under the brand Sweet Meadow Farmstead Cheese. Kettle Crossing markets a variety of cheeses, yoghurt, vegetables and eggs at the local farmer’s market at Bergen.
About the Apprenticeship
Through this apprenticeship you’ll learn about animal husbandry and work with sheep, cows, chickens, and ducks. You will assist with poultry care and livestock care, the twice-daily milking, pasture rotation and grazing management. Milking experience is preferred, but for all jobs, you would be closely supervised until you feel confident.
Kettle Crossing Farm will also expose you to the principles of permaculture, sustainable agriculture, and organic farming. As part of this, you will also have the opportunity to learn about beekeeping and gardening as you support these enterprises. The apprentice will also be involved in market preparation and sales.
As part of the apprenticeship, you will meet with other apprentices across Alberta who are part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship program. Field days, learning opportunities and potlucks will be planned with this group at each hosts farm. You will be provided with a learning fund to support travel or other learning opportunities you wish to pursue. You will also be invited to attend the 2018 Organic Alberta Conference .
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 to a learning plan with the host farm.
| LIVESTOCK HUSBANDRY | MANAGING Sheep |
|---|---|
| LIVESTOCK HEALTH | rotational grazing |
| LOW STRESS LIVESTOCK HANDLING | DIRECT MARKETING |
| MILKING | FENCING |
| Dairying | vegetable production |
| beekeeping | Poultry husbandry |
| Carpentry Construction |
Note: While this farm has further processing facilities for cheese-making, this apprenticeship is focused on the production side of the farm.
Housing, Stipend and Duration
Apprentices will live in a separate one bedroom cabin. There is a shared kitchen and bathroom. Meals will be shared. A minimal to moderate stipend will be paid depending on length of stay and expertise. This Apprenticeship is May through to September.
About the Community
The town of Sundre and community of Bergen are both nearby, about 5 minutes away. Bergen offers a high quality farmer’s market with a great community of fellow farmers and artisans. Sundre has full services and is an hour and twenty minutes away from Calgary.
More Details about this Apprenticeship and How to Apply
Deadline January 31st, 2017.
Interested in an Apprenticeship but this isn’t quite the right one? Check out other Young Agrarians Alberta Apprenticeships being offered in 2017 here.