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- A unique educational program for apprentices to gain hands-on
experience and skills necessary to begin a career in organic agriculture
- An opportunity for Host Farmers to help train the next generation of
farmers
- A transfer of knowledge and skills that further promotes sustainable
agriculture
1. Apprentices
and Host Farmers complete on-line
applications. Applications should
be submitted as early as possible
so interested parties have adequate
time for review.
2. Apprentice
and Host Farmer applications
are posted online once approved.
Applicants can view the applications
by logging in under the Apprentice
Candidate or Host Farm section
of the apprenticeship
program page.
Application is free to OEFFA
member host farmers and to all
internship applicants. Host farmers
who are not OEFFA members must
pay a $20 processing fee, which
must be forwarded to the OEFFA
office before the application
is posted. We encourage student
applicants to consider a $10
OEFFA student membership, which
includes conference discounts,
a newsletter subscription, and
networking opportunities, all
of which provide excellent information
and resources for those learning
about sustainable agriculture.
3. Once their applications are
posted, both farmer and apprentice
applicants should periodically
review the Farmer and Apprentice
Application pages. Please make note of your username and password. You
cannot access the application
pages from the general OEFFA
website, so you will need to log in using your username and password. You can also update your application, using the same log in system. Either party can and
should take the initiative to
contact the other for mutual
review, on-farm visitations,
and to make arrangements. Farmers and apprentice applicants
should list an e-mail address
on their application and check
it frequently so as to not miss
important communications from
potential farmers or apprenticeship
applicants, and from OEFFA apprentice
program coordinators.
4. Once
an arrangement is made with a
host farm, applicants should
contact the OEFFA
office  to
confirm placement. Terms of internship
agreements are to be negotiated
solely between the host farm
and apprentice. OEFFA cannot
be involved in negotiating terms
of, mediating, or enforcing intern
and host agreements. We highly
recommend that participating
parties read the Advice
for Host Farmers and Advice
for Apprentices sections
of this site before filling out
their applications and again
before an on-site interview.
5. To
applicants: if you change your
mind, take a position elsewhere,
or otherwise become unavailable,
please contact the OEFFA
office and
ask that your application be
removed. Host farmers should
also let us know when their positions
are filled for the season so
that their application can be
removed from the site.
6. Applications of farmers and
apprentices should be posted between
January 1 and July 1, and the
earlier the better. Most apprenticeship
opportunities start in spring
or early summer and go for 8
weeks to several months. Placement
opportunities may be limited
after June, though applications
received will be posted to the
website. Farmer and Apprentice
Applicant Pages will normally
be cleared in November or December
of every year.
7. Neither
OEFFA nor anyone involved in
this placement service is responsible
or liable for any injury that
may occur during an internship. Proper safety
training and safety precautions
will prevent most accidents. Applicants
should both ensure that adequate
insurance and safety precautions
are a part of the farmer/apprentice
agreement.
8. OEFFA
does not review or endorse applications
of host or internship candidates.
It is the responsibility of the
program participants to safeguard
themselves by visiting program
participants, clearly defining
and clarifying expectations,
and checking references. OEFFA
is in no way responsible for
any harm or injury which may
be incurred as a result of participation
in this program. OEFFA shall
not be considered a party to
any apprenticeship agreement,
and terms of apprentice agreements
shall be considered private contracts
between host and apprentice only.
9. Applications
may be submitted via mail for
those who do not have access
to the internet, but charges
will be assessed to cover copying
and postage fees. For more information,
contact the OEFFA
office .
10. Applications will be accepted
from domestic candidates only.
Host farmers and apprentices
from international locations
should contact WWOOF
International for more information on trans
border apprentice applications.
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