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Apprenticeships
Discover the Wairarapa Eco Farm
The aim across everything we do is to facilitate and catalyse the transformation of our community into a society that is based on food quality, environmental care and inclusive, holistic thinking. We call it Soul & Soil-Based Living.
Soul & Soil based living
Discover life from the ground up!
Everyone wants to live healthy and grow strong in a clean environment with a vibrant community and circulating economies. In this time of change, things can feel uncertain. This is why we believe that building vibrant, self-sufficient communities will be the foundation of future resilience. We know that some scary narratives are floating around. We refuse to live in fear because we see every day that everything we need nature supplies; our earth is abundant, resilient, and here to support us through life’s ups and downs. It has always been our intention to share this learning with like-minded people.
If you want to see, feel and taste nature’s abundance, then come ans experience one of our programs. Simply sign up and be part of the solution.
About our Apprenticeships
This is a 3-year commitment to set you up on your journey to your ecological dreams. 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 individuals interested in producing high-quality food and promoting community development.
Year One
Typically, in the first year, we will cover a bit of everything, but everything will come back to soil, 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, and 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.
Year Two
In the second year, we will start to explore your particular interests 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.
Year Three
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-oriented 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.
Frank says
“In a disconnected world, we treat people like animals, animals like plants, plants like soil, and soil like dirt.”
01
Soils
From the ground up
Learn to grow healthy soils. Building organic matter and supporting humus content (the original carbon sequestration).
We will cover the basics in biology, chemistry and physics.
Giving you a solid understanding of how life on Earth functions.
02
Plants
Quality over quantity
Learn about food quality versus quantity. To support healthy environments.
We will cover various growing methods and their benefits and consequences.
So you can design your ecological dream with a deep understanding of your impact.
03
Animals
Environmental diversity
Learn about animals and how they function in the environment.
We will show how diversity creates stronger ecosystems.
How soils grow plants, and plants grow animals. All of the above grow healthy individuals.
04
Managment
Sustainable Initiatives
Learn through theory and practice, to gain experience and knowledge.
You will learn healthy management with an ecological and environmentally responsible understanding to create your own symbiotic relationship with the earth.
So that you a healthy individual, can walk the talk and grow the farm ecology.
Frank says
“Everything we do is underpinned with respect for life, in all its shapes and forms”
Apprenticeship
Prices
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 labour pays half
You start to set up your project with mentorship
$1375
+ $1500 for food and accommodation
Year 3
A portion of your labour becomes a farm community service
You labour on your project
Your project hopefully starts earning a living for you. With continued mentorship.
Free
+ $1500 or an extra day of farm community service for food and accommodation
The Wairarapa Eco Farm
Where we embrace Soul & Soil Based Living. Here, we model and educate agroecological environmental principles and values. Join us for a symbiotic relationship with our Mother Earth and to see how a farm can function as the cornerstone of the community.
Some Specifics
If you have any further questions, please contact us.
Accommodation
You will be offered a room, or you may camp if you prefer over the warmer months. There is a shared kitchen, shower, and compost toilet. A library/office is situated nearby.
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, is available for interns and apprentices as the season provides.
Some House Rules
- It is your responsibility to take care of and clean the personal and communal living space.
- You will be sharing the accommodation, so rules apply to 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 the food provided. At times, there will be communal dinners, and we all take turns cooking for the community here on the farm.
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.
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.