by Kristy Gruley, PhD, Education Program Manager, Savanna Institute

Join Savanna Institute in seeing more diversity and trees across the Midwest – apply for an apprenticeship and/or new job positions now!

My agroforestry apprenticeship at Mary Dirty Face Farm has served as a space to think, learn, practice, dream, and grow further into myself as a land steward, and my guiding framework of holistic, regenerative agriculture. –Avery Pheil, 2019 Apprentice

In 2019, five apprentices completed 10 weeks of intensive on-farm training, receiving valuable lessons on daily, seasonal, and annual aspects of the agroforestry operation from their mentors—you can read about some of their experiences found here. Additionally, apprentices toured and completed a grafting workshop at Red Fern Farm and later last fall participated in an online component that consisted of weekly live presentations and discussions on topics including land access, core agroforestry practices, design and layout, integrating livestock, marketing, and more — recordings of which can be found on our YouTube channel. One of our apprentices went on to pursue additional agroforestry experience including research with Savanna Institute, and intensive training with several businesses the hazelnut supply chain. When/if he decides to start farming, he will have a solid network of farmers, researchers, nurseries, and businesses he can draw upon.

We are excited to announce the expansion of our apprenticeship program in 2020 to include options for part-time apprenticeships as well as longer-term (late spring through harvest—October/November) on-farm work depending on the host farm. Apprentices will learn a variety of agroforestry techniques specific to the host farm’s operation, including perennial crop establishment and/or harvest, farm planning and decision-making; equipment and crop maintenance; product marketing; farm finance; value-added processing; and more! More information about becoming an apprentice or a mentor farmer can be found here: http://www.savannainstitute.org/apprenticeship.html.

Savanna Institute is also hiring for several new positions. More information and applications can be found at: http://www.savannainstitute.org/jobs.html

Let’s grow some trees!