Bella Farm is proud to announce our apprentice program for 2014. We are a 12 acre, diversified family farm in Western Colorado, in our 9th year farming here. We apply permaculture principles and Biodynamic practices to create a farm that is truly extrordinary. The core components to our farm are a raw cow milk pastured dairy, homestead meat and egg chickens, a market vegetable garden, fruit orchard and berry patch, medicinal herb products, and value added fermented vegetables. Our products are marketed to local families, high end restaurants in Aspen, and the weekly farmers market in Crested Butte.
We have space for two apprentices for the season. Over the past month I have talked with my fellow farmers who I respect most, and also just finished reading Joel Salatin's new book on training new farmers. I have developed a working relationship with the Biodynamic Association of North America to be one of their official apprentice farms. I believe that the opportunity for serious learning that we are offering is truly unique and extrordinary, and we are seeking aspiring farmers who are similarly motivated, inspired, positive, productive, and dedicated to the craft of diversified family farming.
Our apprentice program will run for 6 months, from May 1st to October 31. Staying beyond Oct 31 may be possible, but a minimum stay of 6 months is required for our program.
I will formally teach my apprentices for eight hours per week. The curriculum will be individually tailored, and co-created by me and you, based on your particular interests. In return for my teaching, apprentices will work 25 hours per week. Farm work will be five days per week, from 8am to 1pm, working on the farm, in capacities that are collaborative with your curriculum and interests.
Housing is provided in a brand new, 600 square foot, two-bedroom apartment on the farm. There are two private bedrooms, and a large common area and kitchen. Keeping with the off-grid nature of our farm, the apartment is non-electric. There is an outdoor solar shower and commercial composting toilet.
Food will be provided from the farm. Lunch each day will be with my family, in our home. Breakfast and dinner will be yours to prepare yourself in your apartment, with food that the farm provides, plus any additional specialty food items that you wish to purchase with your own funds.
To cover our costs of feeding and housing you, Bella Farm will charge each apprentice $600 per month for room and board. With the ample free time in your weekly schedule, it is completely realistic to work a part time job in town to cover your costs here, much like many college students do.
You will need to come with a sufficient amount of savings, to cover your first month's expense here. A personal car is necessary. Good health is a must. Loving kids is imperative, as my three homeschooled children, ages 5, 7, and 8, are integral to everything on our family farm.
If this all sounds good to you, send me an email at
bellafarmer@gmail.com , and we can further discuss how you might fit in at Bella Farm.
Potential apprentices will need to come out to the farm for a check out visit for a couple days, sometime in April. This way, we both can get to know one another personally before comitting to the 6 month program. The official apprentice program would then run from May 1st to October 31, six months.
I truly believe that Bella Farm is an absolutely remarkable example of diversified small farming, with an apprentice program to match. To learn more about our farm-
-Search for posts in the forums here by Adam Klaus. I have shared a wealth of info that demonstrates my quality as an educator.
-Check out our facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bella-Farm/483294111765723
-Listen to my interview with Diego Footer in preparation for
Permaculture Voices http://www.permaculturevoices.com/6
If you have any questions about our farm or our program, do not hesitate to ask.
Thank you for your interest! Farming for the future!
Adam Klaus
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