By Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture
The Growing Farmers Initiative at Stone Barns Center offers an immersive and diverse Apprenticeship Program for beginning farmers. Apprentices will gain practical production experience across our agroecological system under the guidance of the farm management team and rotate monthly through our field crops, soil-based greenhouses, propagation-house, and multi-species livestock. They will also be exposed to our compost systems, native landscapes, and silvopasture systems. Our integrated production provides a unique opportunity to explore the interconnections across a wide range of agricultural disciplines and market outlets, including our partner restaurant Blue Hill at Stone Barns. Apprentices participate in the Center’s educational outreach and engage with diverse audiences, including farmers, chefs, high-school students and teachers, and public visitors. Through the course of the season, apprentices develop knowledge and skills in these key areas such as soil health, crop production, propagation, greenhouse systems, forest and silvopasture management, processing and food safety. Apprentices participate in a weekly agroecology curriculum, taught by respected agricultural experts. The classes explore topics in soil health, crop and livestock production, landscape management, and mechanical skills, including: soil, crops, livestock, landscape management and mechanic skills. Practical commercial experience combined with in depth training provides a unique opportunity for apprentices to learn critical skills in a diverse farming environment while engaging in a broader food system conversation.
New York