Apprenticeship hosting Basics: 2024

Maximum Number of Apprentices: 4 at any time per Host Farm.

Farm Location: RFC Host Farms are located in Oregon. If the main farm location is located further than ~1.25 hours drive (without traffic) from Portland or Central Point, OR (our current active chapter “centers”) it will be more difficult for Apprentices to come to RFC’s in-person educational events. Because of this, farms located further from our active chapter locations are asked to provide a plan for how their Apprentice(s) will be networked into the local agricultural / food system communities.

Total On-Farm Hours: Minimum of 500 hours. There is no maximum number of total on-farm hours.

Position Length: We suggest ~5-10 months, however we have had successful positions that last as little as 3 months. Host Farms may choose to continue employing Apprentices after their Apprenticeship position is completed. (The educational event series runs April-October).

Average On-Farm Hours/Week: The average on-farm hours/week over the course of the position should not exceed 40.

Maximum On-Farm Hours/Week: Not to exceed 50 in any given week.

On-Farm Start/End Dates: Flexible. However, we suggest start dates of ~March 15 - May 15 and end dates of October 1 - December 1.

Compensation: Apprentices are employees of the Host Farm and paid an hourly wage decided by the host farm (at least minimum wage).

Housing & Food: Not required to be offered to Apprentice(s). If offered, Host Farm provides a separate written agreement & may charge the Apprentice or deduct from pay.

Applicant Pre-requisites: Previous experience is suggested but not required to apply for RFC’s Apprenticeship Program. Host Farms can filter applicants for previous experience.

Training Offered: Host Farms provide hands-on training and experience on a diverse array of farming skills and tasks. Host Farms provide consistent supervision, feedback, and check-ins. Host Farms provide time to answer Apprentices’ questions, explain the reasoning behind tasks, and talk about farm business management.

Evaluation: Host Farmers provide two evaluation sessions to each Apprentice - one mid-season and one at the end.

Annual Host Farm Membership Fee: Sliding Scale ($50/$125/$200, See Host Farm Standards & Guidelines) due January 15. Host Farm fee waivers are also available for BIPOC host farms. Other Host Farm fee waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis.

RFC Beginning Farmer Educational Event Series (BFEES): RFC coordinates and facilitates an educational event series of classes, farm tours, and discussions for beginning/aspiring farmers covering sustainable/regenerative production concepts, food systems and equity topics, and farm management topics. Some events are in-person and some are held virtually via Zoom. RFC will also host 2-4 weekend intensives of educational programming, farm tours, networking, and camping. Generally Apprentices join the events that fall during the time of their on-farm position, but may attend more. Apprentices at Host Farms that are outside an active RFC chapter region (distanced Apprentices)  generally attend at least the online events and the weekend intensives. For a sample schedule please visit roguefarmcorps.org/bfees-schedule.

Event Schedule/Timing:  Events are held 2-4 times per month between 4/1 and 10/31. These events are generally 2-3 hours in length. The additional weekend intensives are approximately 12pm Saturday - 1pm Sunday. Online events will occur on a weekday evening (TBD). In-person events will be on a regular day/time TBD. We also partner on Small Farm School as one of the events for the Portland chapter which generally happens in September. RFC Host Farms make sure their Apprentices are available to attend educational events.

Apprenticeship Fee: RFC charges a program fee to each Apprentice to offset the cost of running the event series and general program support. The 2024 fee is yet to be determined – it was $475/$775 (distanced/in-chapter) in 2023. Host Farmers are encouraged to offer a reimbursement of this fee to their Apprentice(s) upon completion of the position if they choose.The fee will be prorated if an Apprentice will only be attending a portion of the event series. RFC has a Future Farmer Fund which can provide full or partial scholarships to reduce or waive this fee for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, low-income, immigrant/refugee, and veteran Apprentices as long as funds are available.

Want all the information? Please fill out this form to receive the prospective host farm info packet!