Seeking Draft Power Apprenticeship

[Anonymous]

Hi all, I am a 24 yr old female, been growing organic veggies for 4 seasons.
I am seeking a long term- 1year +- learning opportunity on a draft powered farm. I want to learn all aspects of utilizing animal power on a food operation. I am interested in ultimately using mules, or donkeys of one type or another on my personal operation, so a farm with those animals working would be ideal, but horses, oxen or otherwise would be a welcomed experience as well. I would like to stay in NE if possible- does anyone know of a farm that would offer an apprenticeship type of learning opportunity? I am not hung up on formal arrangement, but would need to find a place where I would feel comfortable living and learning full time for at least a year- so honesty and trustworthiness are imperative. I have a dog and a cat, I come with a tent and wood stove- I give more than I take around the farm, I am low impact and hard working. No experience with draft/large animals yet, but I am eager and learn quickly! Please let me know if any one has a lead, I’d really appreciate it! This is not an easy topic to find good information about…

Best,
farmer Piper

[Carl Russell]

Hi Piper, sounds like a great opportunity for somebody out there….

Is that New England? or Nebraska?

Thanks, and good luck, Carl

[Uncle Joe]

Hi Piper. A few potential operations can be found on Rural Heritage Magazine’s Good Farming Apprenticeship Network: https://www.ruralheritage.com/apprenticeship/index.htm.

We will be publishing in our January issue our updated annual listing of folks who offer apprenticeships in draft animal farming and logging as well as sustainable, self-sufficient, and organic market gardening operations. At that time, the list on the website will also be updated to reflect the latest information.

The GFAN helps connect people like you with potential apprenticeships.

For anyone wishing to have their operation included in the listing, visit: https://www.ruralheritage.com/apprenticeship/internform.htm.

Joe Mischka
Rural Heritage

[mitchmaine]

hello piper, the maine organic farmers and gardeners association in unity, maine has an apprenticeship program thirty years old now. one horse farmer, paul birdsall, has tutored well over a hundred future farmers by way of the same program. google mofga and see what comes up. might be worth a look. good luck with your search. mitch

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