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Are
you dreaming of having an organic 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 methods and
successfully 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!
The
shepherdess in early spring, having a hug with ewe
Audrey
while visiting some of the freshly shorn, expectant
ewes.
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My
background
I've been raising sheep by organic methods since 1992.
Organic livestock production was practically unheard of back
then, so I've spent years networking with other organic
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 70 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 can
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
Semesters
Since everyone has
different goals and expectations of their apprenticeship,
the SkyLines Farm year is divided into three semesters -
spring, summer and fall. Each semester 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. One, two, or three-semester
apprenticeships are available.
A three-semester
apprenticeship is a larger commitment, of course, but it
gives you the total picture. Your lessons, your active
participation in the entire year's worth of daily farm
activities, plus your experience of all the annual sheep
"events" such as shearing and lambing will give you the
knowledge and experience you need to raise happy, healthy
sheep by organic, humane, environmentally-friendly methods .
. . and to make money marketing their products.
Terms
During this
apprenticeship I will provide you with semi-formal lectures,
printed reference materials, a one-of-a-kind reading list
including materials from my own extensive library, and
direct hands-on experience in all aspects of raising sheep
and selling their products. You will compensate me 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 activities; fence repair &
improvements; moving and maintaining portable 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 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
and pastured meat chickens; maintaining organic vegetable
gardens & small orchard; helping with on-farm workshops
and tours, and more.
Hours
Hours of work in exchange for teaching can be arranged to
suit both of our schedules, and will vary based on the
season.
Housing
On-farm housing may be available. The farm is isolated, you
need your own car.
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 . .
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- 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!
Melissa
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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