IMPORTANT: This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders. Other applicants need not apply.
The Sustainable Agriculture Apprenticeship is designed to introduce high school students to sustainable agriculture careers by apprenticing at Rock Bottom Ranch, a site of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES). Students will assist in many aspects of a working sustainable ranch including animal husbandry, vegetable & cut flower production and wildlands restoration. Since Rock Bottom Ranch is also an educational facility, students may assist with farm tours, workshops, or classes.
Objectives
The apprenticeship program requires a two-week commitment with an optional additional week that pays for the apprenticeship. The apprentice will be immersed in the current agricultural activities on the ranch including, but not limited to the following objectives:
• Learn proper husbandry for all livestock on the ranch including daily care, nutritional needs, housing requirements, predator protection and paddock rotation. At the conclusion of the program, the apprentice will have a thorough understanding of multi-species rotational grazing.
• Be involved with all aspects of vegetable & cut flower production, including soil preparation, seed selection, transplant production, transplanting, harvest, postharvest, packaging, sales & marketing.
• Communicate sustainable practices and the reasoning behind our methods to visitors and public. (Leading a group farm tour is compulsory.)
• Learn about the various products and services provided by each species on the farm.
• Learn about the interaction between domestic and wild animals.
• Assist with educational programs.
• Assist with any building projects that may occur during the week.
The hands-on experience, readings, and journal reflection will provide the opportunity for the apprentice to explore the field of sustainable agriculture with an exposure to environmental education. Apprentices will be working directly with the RBR Director and Agricultural Manager, as well as coordinating with educators.
Tuition
$250 ACES members, $300 non-members
We encourage students to earn their own money to pay for this apprenticeship. Tuition fee is waived for students who commit to a third week, to be spent leading ranch activities. Please indicate on your application if you are interested in paying for this apprenticeship by working an extra week.
Independent Learning Project and Presentation
The apprentice will be required to plan and execute an independent study of their choice and present it to an audience. Apprentice will brainstorm with RBR staff to pick a project of interest to them.
College Credit Available
One undergraduate credit is available from Colorado Mountain College (CMC Spring Valley Campus). Please let us know on your application if you're interested in taking it for credit.
Dates of Apprenticeship
June 11 – October 19, 2014: Required 2-week commitment (optional 3-weeks), Wednesday through Sunday. Times to be determined, typically 8:30am-5pm.
Agricultural Manager and apprentice will predetermine dates to ensure that maximum exposure to various ranch activities will be encountered.
