Become an Organic Farmer

2026 FULL SEASON APPRENTICESHIP APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

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Read on to learn about our Apprenticeship Programs

While EarthDance truly values our Summer Apprenticeship program (and EVERY apprentice who has participated in it!), we are pausing our 10-week program for 2026. We’re more deeply committed than ever to training farmers and gardeners, and we are taking time in 2026 to evaluate the full scope of our programming for purpose, method, equity, accessibility, and success.

We will continue to offer our Full Season Apprenticeship Program, as well as Spring Training for Gardeners, our Volunteer Program, and various workshops and classes. We hope you will join us at the farm + reach out with questions about how to get involved in this work in 2026!

Sign up for the EarthDance Newsletter to stay up on EarthDance programs, farming, and food access work!

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Watch the video below to see and hear from the 2024 Apprentices.

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Full Season Farm Apprenticeship

Are you someone who wants to grow food? Do you long to tend the earth, build healthy soil, and work in community with others who are dedicated to healing our food system?

If you’re ready to fully immerse yourself in a complete growing season rooted in regenerative farming, land stewardship, and community nourishment, apply now for EarthDance Organic Farm School’s 2026 Full-Season Farm Apprenticeship ~ a 10-month, paid, hands-on learning experience.

Our farmer-educators teach regenerative methods that aim to restore soil health, protect ecosystems, and strengthen community resilience. Apprentices gain experience with organic vegetable production, soil-building practices, composting, cover crops, ecological pest management, food-sharing programs, and more, all while contributing to the living legacy of this land.

Since 2009, more than 500 Farm & Garden Apprentices have come to EarthDance ~ right here in Ferguson ~ to explore their farming dreams. The Farm & Garden Apprenticeship is EarthDance’s flagship and longest-running program, rooted in hands-on, community-based education.

In 2026, EarthDance continues its commitment to accessible farmer training by offering a fully paid, 10-month apprenticeship engaging participants for an average of 20-24 hours per week across the full spectrum of seasons. A healthcare stipend is also available.

We have 2 available spots, making this a highly competitive opportunity. Candidates with green industry experience are strongly preferred, and preference will be given to candidates who are serious about pursuing a career in agriculture, land stewardship, and community food access work.

If you’re ready to honor the history of this land, deepen your ecological knowledge, and grow & share food in community ~ this may be your season.

Full Season Farm Apprentices will work with our team on the following types of activities, on a diversity of both perennial and annual crops: 

• Greenhouse production
• Transplanting
• High tunnel growing
• Soil fertility
• Compost making
• Bed prep
• Cover cropping
• Plant care – including pest management via organically-approved spray & biological controls
• Harvest
• Fruit tree pruning and care
• Selling and sharing our harvest via wholesale sales and retail at the Pay What You Can Farm Stand, and at the Ferguson Farmers Market
• Participate in educational opportunities throughout the season on topics like soil health, raising chickens, fermentation & pickling, herbalism, mushroom production, and more
• Participate in youth and community programming, such as hosting summer campers on the farm, leading tours, or helping with events or outreach activities.
• Regenerative farming theory and practices
• Small-scale agroforestry theory and practices
• Crop planning

EarthDance Full Season Farm Apprentices will participate in some classroom and online learning, including our 5-week Spring Training for Gardeners course (unless they’re already graduates of that program). We’ll provide an apprenticeship curriculum that outlines weekly educational topics throughout the season. We begin with topics associated with getting the season started at our non-profit teaching farm, including: Our mission and organization, including Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) at EarthDance; A brief history of the land, farming, & food systems; Plant propagation, seedling care, and soil preparation; and An equipment and safety overview. As the season progresses, topics include more in-depth learning about things like: Plant and soil health; Climate change and water management; Harvest and post-harvest handling; Considering your mission and your grow space; Your story and marketing your produce successfully; and Finally crop planning, budgets, and a season review. Apprentices will explore topics with farm managers during a weekly meeting and group field walk.

By the end of the Full Season Farm Apprenticeship, participants will be equipped with the knowledge and skill set to work entry level positions in the agricultural industry and or start a small-scale food production operation like a community or school garden.

EarthDance invites anyone serious about a career in regenerative agriculture to learn and work with our farm team for the length of the full growing season. This year, Full Season Farm Apprentices will join the farm team February 12 – December 12, 2026, working with them from greenhouse seed sowing through all of the ensuing seasons and into the crop planning process for 2027.

Full Season Farm Apprenticeship FAQ

What is the pay? $17 per hour, paid through EarthDance’s payroll system monthly via direct deposit.

Are there additional benefits? Yes! Benefits include a health care stipend of $175 per month (upon request), one week (24 hours) of paid time off, paid holidays that fall on days the apprentice would normally work, and weekly farm shares.

What is the schedule? Full season farm apprentices will work the farm team schedule an average of 20-24 hours per week. The program runs March – December, and apprentices will select a schedule consisting mostly of Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 7am-3pm, with hours varying according to weather, with up to two weekends per month to co-work the Ferguson Farmers Market booth and occasionally work the Pay What You Can Farm Stand on Friday evenings.

What are the requirements? Some market gardening and/or farming experience is strongly preferred. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and must demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States.

What can I expect from the interview process? Short telephone screening interviews help us determine which candidates are qualified. Qualified candidates will schedule a working group interview on the farm. Selected candidates will then be invited for individual interviews either via Zoom or in person. Candidates selection will be complete by January 29, 2026. The apprenticeship starts on February 12, 2026.

Fair Hiring Statement EarthDance is committed to fostering a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. We value people’s lived experiences, especially those who have been marginalized in the food system in the United States, and especially encourage people of color and residents of the farm’s surrounding communities to apply for open positions at EarthDance. We are committed to providing accommodations as possible for qualified candidates with disabilities. Please contact Program Manager Jess Coffin at farm@earthdancefarms.org to request an accommodation.

APPLY FOR THE 2026 FULL SEASON FARM APPRENTICESHIP

Priority deadline: Dec 19, 2025

Final selections will be complete by January 29, 2026

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Summer Farm & Garden Apprenticeship

While EarthDance truly values our Summer Apprenticeship program (and EVERY apprentice who has participated in it!), we are pausing our 10-week program for 2026. We’re more deeply committed than ever to training farmers and gardeners, and we are taking time in 2026 to evaluate the full scope of our programming for purpose, method, equity, accessibility, and success.