What can be more important to sustainable farming than training farmers to insure its continuation? If farm numbers are to increase, we must have a way to pass the necessary skills on to the next generation. In speaking with Paul Birdsall of Maine, who has had about 130 apprentices over 27 years on his horse powered farm, he said, “Molly and I always considered having apprentices to be the most important thing we did.” He now has a whole network of small farmer friends who were once his apprentices.

There is astounding variety in apprenticeship offerings; a variety which, though it may prove frustrating for all involved, does represent well the vitality and diversity of our alternative farming culture. I for one do not want to see that diversity lessened, but it sure would be helpful to find some commonality of application since we have such a firm and outstanding commonality of purpose already in place.

UC Santa Cruz is thrilled to welcome applications to the 50th Anniversary year of the UCSC Farm and Garden Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture. The 39 apprentices each year arrive from all regions of the US and abroad, and represent a wide spectrum of ages, backgrounds, and interests. We have a range of course fee waivers available to support participation in the Apprenticeship.