The PFC Farms Apprenticeship Program trains individuals for 21st Century farm management jobs by providing practical experience, valuable skills, and an industry-recognized techniques. The PFC Farms Apprenticeship was developed to address California’s shortage of highly skilled workers to fill important farm manager positions. Farm managers have a significant level of responsibility, and0 perform diverse, proprietary, and fulfilling work in the field and the office. A farm or farm production manager takes many years of experience, this Program provides a foundation of knowledge and skills that will help apprentices gain a footh0old in the industry and advance their farming careers through farming or the distribution of food.
The Apprenticeship Program trains on all aspects of farming, this includes commercial, residential and urban farming. PFC Farms provides the space and opportunity to develop and practice the skills needed to manage a successful farming or agriculture production operation. Apprentices can also be existing employees that farmers have identified as a future manager. For these apprentices, PFC Farms provides a structured pathway for knowledge, skill, and leadership development to take on a new role on the farm.
The PFC Farms Apprenticeship Program is a formal is composed of 7 components that combines on-the-job training with job-related instruction. The program lasts approximately 1 year or 10,000 hours, and upon completion of the Program, PFC Farms provides a Certified Apprenticeship Certificate that is good for engaging in all Pacific Fertilizer Company and PFC Farms Projects.
On-the-Job Training
Apprentices complete 10,000 hours of on-the-job training by working on a production farm and at the farmers market with a PFC Farms Production Manager. On-the-job training takes place on commercial production farms or at PFC Farmer Market establishments within California. Farming projects range from 2 acres to 160 acres and include organic farming techniques.
Apprentice duties will differ between operations, but all apprentices will receive a minimum number of hours of hands-on training in certain work processes. Work schedules are dictated by the needs of the production site and farmers market coordinators throughout the 4 seasons, but apprentices should expect to work between 8 to 30 hours per week. Unless otherwise discussed, compensation starts with a stipend and can increase based on skillset. Individuals already employed by a farm may enroll in the program, if the farmer agrees to participate.
Coursework
Apprentices complete a minimum of 100 hours in coursework over the 1 year period while enrolled into the program. The curriculum includes a core set of classes that cover basic production skills, as well as leadership and management skills. Apprentices may also test out of core courses and can then take individualized coursework targeted to the apprentice’s learning needs and career goals. Individualized coursework may include approved industry trainings, short courses, industry tours, conferences, field days, workshops, or community college and adult school classes.