2.5 Year Abbey Home Farm Organic Horticultural Apprenticeship

2.5 Year Abbey Home Farm Organic Horticultural Apprenticeship – www.theorganicfarmshop.co.uk/jobs

Spring 2017 – October 2019

A two and a half year apprenticeship aimed at providing apprentices with all the knowledge and skills required to start out as professional organic vegetable grower.

* The apprenticeship takes the form of continuous day to day work based mentoring from Andy Dibben, (head grower) whilst working as part of a team of three apprentices plus long term wwoofers and other helpers.

* The working week is complemented by weekly 1hr dedicated theory sessions.

* Apprentices will also get to visit a number of other horticultural businesses in order to gain an insight into options for future employment and a variety of successful business models

The farm produces over 50 different crops from it's Protected Cropping, Market Garden and Field scale systems enabling apprentices to experience a wide range of production methods. Nearly all the produce is sold in the farmshop onsite.
Apprentices gain a valuable opportunity to meet and sell to all sorts of customers, by working in the farmshop one or two Saturdays a month plus helping out if there is an emergency at other times.

The farm also runs a busy education programme and apprentices are expected to deliver short sessions once they are settled in to the garden.

Subjects covered over 2 years include:-

Soil, Organic Principles, Fertility management, Rotations, Crop Planning, Crop families, Propagation, Compost making, Ground Preparation, Weed management, Crop protection, Pest and Disease Management, Irrigation, Harvesting, Soft Fruit Management, Crop Storage, Packaging, Tractor Driving, Horticultural machinery, Different Routes to Market, Staff and Volunteer Management, Basic Marketing, Basic Horticultural Business Planning. Options for future employment. Organic standards and Inspection.

Cost over the two years - £960 payable in advance; 4 instalments of £240 ** 5% increase in 2019 expected.

Wage – All apprentices will receive minimum wage plus company profit share after 6 months. A third of the

profit of the shop, café, conference centre and veg garden is shared between staff on a 3 monthly basis. (if there is any!)

Accommodation – Subsidised housing offered to all apprentices.