Education & Consultation
Apprenticeship Soul and Soil Based Living
About
This is an experiential learning program based on agroecology and soil quality, the prerequisites for quality food production with environmental care that lay the foundation for genuine progress/resilience in community development. The program is geared toward people interested in producing food quality and community development.
Yr 1
Typically, in the first year, we will cover a bit of everything, but everything will come back to soils. The ground upon which the farm stands. Including, greenhouse management, field cultivation, irrigation systems, harvesting, post-harvest handling, and animal care.
- Fieldwork: includes seeding, transplanting, weeding, thinning, trellising, field prep and harvesting.
- Greenhouse: seeding, thinning, transplanting, watering, and plant care/pest control.
- Distribution: small-scale sales, community trading.
- Animal care: feeding, watering, collecting eggs. Feed and water pigs, set up an electrical fence, and move paddocks.
Theory Day will be class-based and divided into two main areas. Firstly, the agroecological theory behind our actions on the farm is explained in detail. Over the period of your stay topics such as the basics of agroecology and food quality, soil, plants and animals, and how to (re)design, maintain and increase the throughput of a farming system will be covered. The course endeavours to give you a real understanding of what proper “organics” should be about, i.e. growing quality food the right way and with the right intentions. Secondly, we will show how to plan and grow year-round, structures and organisation, administration, and logistics. You will leave with a solid foundation and an understanding of how nature functions and how we can best fit into her systems. This will help ground you in the living world.
Yr 2
In the second year, we will start to explore your particular interest with the opportunities and materials the farm provides. We will give you an opportunity to work with and learn from a practical situation, giving you the experience of putting the theory into practice and checking out for yourself what it is to pursue your project on your own terms.
You will work side by side with our team. The typical schedule is 9:30 am to 3 pm, with a one-hour lunch break around noon but depending on the weather we might start earlier and/or finish later.
Yr 3
In the third year, you will put your project to the test! With our guidance and farm support with you every step of the way. You will create your own soul-orientated job. This is a three-year intensive with the priority to teach you the theory with the practical. Helping you to find your soul-based offering for the community within the opportunities of the farm. Guiding the setup and tack off of your project.
Year 1
You explore and discover the farm whilst gaining experience
Coursework and fieldwork.
You help others with their projects
A $400 registration fee is expected within 4 weeks of registration.
$ 2750
+ $2000 for food and accommodation
Year 2
Your experienced labor pays half
You start to set up your project with mentorship
$1375
+ $1500 for food and accommodation
Year 3
A portion of your labor becomes a farm community service
You labor for your project
Your project hopefully starts earning a living for you. With continued mentorship mentorship.
Free
+ $1500 or an extra day of farm community service for food and accommodation
Accommodation:
You will be offered a room or can camp if you prefer over the warmer months. There is a shared kitchen, shower and compost toilet. A library/office is situated in the main house.
We are currently in the process of building natural eco cabins for our future interns and apprentices.
Farm produce such as greens, eggs, and meat are available for interns and apprentices as the season provides.
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellation up to four weeks before the start of the program, you will receive a full refund, less the registration fee. Cancellations made within four weeks of the start of the program, a 50% refund will be given, less the registration fee.
Please note that we reserve the right to end your participation in the program at any stage, in case of indecent, violent or dangerous behaviour, without a refund. Working on the farm requires the physical capability to contribute daily in a rigorous, fast-paced agricultural setting. Farm work offers an incredibly rewarding and demanding work environment and life experience. Please consider this commitment before applying.
Some house rules:
- It is your responsibility to take care of and clean personal and communal living space.
- You will be sharing the accommodation, so rules apply on behaviour
- We can pick you up from the bus station in town, or the train station in Featherston. We are 6 km from our nearest local town; a car or bicycle is a handy item to bring.
- We are unable to accommodate more pets on the farm.
- Please no smoking on the farm, and we ask for responsible consumption of alcohol.
- Everyone can cook their own breakfast and lunch with food provided – At times there will be communal dinners and we all take turns cooking for the community here on the farm.
Application:
Please send a cover letter detailing your interest in our program, a resume and a completed application form to the farm by email. If you are successful we will contact you to schedule a phone or Skype meeting.
Applicant must have a valid tourist visa, work visa or be a NZ resident.
