RFC’s Apprenticeship Program is an on-farm learning experience for those who have at least one full season (6+ months) of farm or ranch experience (or equivalent). The Apprenticeship combines hands-on training and skills-based education for those ready to dive into the art and business of sustainable agriculture. This program helps people who want to continue in agriculture learn the skills needed to manage and run a diversified farming operation, and deepen their understanding of ecological and sustainable agricultural practices.

It is for people who have a foundation of farm knowledge and skills but are looking to deepen their managerial experience, agricultural skills, and conceptual understanding, with the goal of managing, owning, or operating a farm enterprise in the future. Similar to the Full-Season Internship Program, participants train full-time at one of RFC’s partner Host Farms. Participants also engage in a series of educational weekend intensives in RFC chapter locations around the state, attend local area classes and tours, and have the opportunity to take on independent projects. The Apprenticeship, like the Internship, examines the economical, ecological and social sustainability of farm practices demonstrated, and continues to build on these themes.

NEW! Summer Internship now available. Summer interns can dip their toes into farming by training for 8-36 hrs/wk over 10-14 weeks with a host farmer during the summer and attend 5-8 of the Internship classes, farm tours, and discussions.

TYPES OF AGRICULTURE

Rogue Farm Corps partners with dedicated mentor host farms and ranches that focus on sustainable, regenerative, ecological, and/or organic approaches in their production methods. Host farm enterprises vary by farm and include animal (meat, dairy, eggs, etc) and plant-based production (vegetables, herbs, fruit, seeds, etc). Host farms are commercial, small-to-mid scale operations marketing to their local and regional community via a range of sales channels including farmers market, CSA, wholesale, and more. RFC participants are exposed to various farm production and marketing systems via RFC’s farm tour events.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Rogue Farm Corps is committed to an ongoing learning process around privilege, power, inequality and systems of oppression. RFC has a goal of making our programs welcoming to, inclusive of, and accessible to communities who are under-represented as farm operators in Oregon, including women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, low-income individuals and immigrants. Our desire to create a more equitable food system is reflected in RFC’s programs and collaborations.