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Are
you dreaming of having an organic or sustainable sheep farm?
An on-farm
apprenticeship at SkyLines Farm is a terrific way to get
hands-on, real-life experience in the mechanics and the
business of raising sheep by organic and sustainable methods and
successfully direct-marketing their products.
Whether you're a shepherd
already, or just investigating sheep as a possible venture,
an apprenticeship at SkyLines Farm will give you the
experience and the tools you need to make informed choices
for your future. This could be the turning point that makes
your small farm dream come true!
UPDATE: The 2011 apprenticeship openings have been filled.
For 2012, one or two part-time apprenticeships
will be available for those living in the Moscow ID area and able to commute to
the farm on a weekly basis. If a weekly apprenticeship program is workable for you, read on for more details about SkyLines Farm
apprenticeships, and then let's talk!
My
background
I've been raising sheep by organic and sustainable methods since 1992.
Raising livestock and farming without chemicals was practically unheard of back
then, so I've spent years networking with other organic and sustainable
shepherds, reading countless books and attending classes,
workshops, conferences, seminars, and farm tours, all
focused on learning how to raise sheep well, how to profit
from their products, and how to manage the farm in a
sustainable manner. I've also kept very detailed flock
records that I use to improve my management practices every
year.
In the process, I've
slowly grown the SkyLines flock from 5 ewes to its present
size of more than 40 quality ewes and their lambs. I'm
committed to sharing this hard-won experience with others
who harbor the same dream I've had since childhood - to live
and work on a small farm in the company of happy, healthy,
productive animals!
Accreditation
I am accredited as a Farmer-Mentor through Cultivating
Success, a joint program of The University of Idaho,
Washington State University, and Rural Roots. The
Cultivating Success program offers classes and
on-farm apprenticeships to help promote small-scale
sustainable agriculture. A SkyLines Farm apprenticeship may
earn you UI or WSU college credit or continuing education
credit (see www.cultivatingsuccess.org).
Curriculum
Drawing on my
experience writing corporate training programs and working
as a technical writer (in a former life, thank goodness!),
I've developed a detailed curriculum for SkyLines Farm
apprenticeships based on my years of study and practical
sheep experience.
Three
Seasons
Since everyone has
different goals and expectations of their apprenticeship,
the apprenticeships are divided into three seasons -
spring, summer and fall - from March 1 to November 1.
Each season of a SkyLines
apprenticeship includes an overview of the entire SkyLines
Farm operation, but focuses on the portion of farm life
occurring during that season.
Terms
During your
apprenticeship I will provide you with informal lectures,
a one-of-a-kind reading list with access to my own
extensive library, and direct hands-on experience in all
aspects of raising sheep and selling their products. You
will compensate me for my time and effort in teaching you with your labor on the farm.
Depending on the season
you may be asked to help with:
Feeding sheep; shearing & preparing fleeces for sale;
springtime lambing work; fence repair &
improvements; maintaining electric
fences; barn cleaning & composting; mowing sheep
pastures; getting in hay for winter feeding; trimming
hooves; garlicking sheep for parasite control; evaluating
and sorting sheep for market and for breeding; overseeing
processing of locker lambs and/or delivering lamb to local
customers, and more.
Other farm work may
include helping with: Maintaining farm equipment;
maintaining and improving farm buildings and farm house;
getting in firewood for the winter; caring for laying hens;
maintaining the organic vegetable garden; helping with on-farm
workshops and tours, and more.
Hours
Hours of work in exchange for teaching will be arranged to
suit both of our schedules, and will vary based on the
season.
Housing
On-farm housing is not available.
For this to be a
positive experience, you should . . .
- Have a strong desire
to learn the mechanics and the business of raising sheep
organically and marketing their products
- Have a deep love &
compassion for animals and enjoy working hands on with
them
- Be very strong,
healthy, physically fit, and love working outdoors
For my part, I
will do my best to make your SkyLines Farm experience . .
.
- Fun
- Challenging
- Rewarding
- Highly
educational
- Inspirational and
life-affirming
If an apprenticeship here
at SkyLines Farm sounds like a good foundation for a life
you've always dreamed of . . . give me a call or
drop
me a note!
Moving the
SkyLines flock to fresh pasture is always fun since
the sheep know the routine so well . .
.
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SkyLines
Farm 4551 Highway 6 Harvard, ID 83834
208.875.8747
Purebred Romney & Romney-Cross
Sheep
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