Apprenticeship program

Oregon Farm Corps’ Apprenticeship Program is an immersion for aspiring farmers who want to gain significant farming or ranching production experience.

The Oregon Farm Corps Apprenticeship Program offers an immersive, hands-on farming experience designed to equip participants with practical skills and foundational knowledge in regenerative and sustainable agriculture. While working at one of our partner Host Farms, beginning farmers gain valuable, on-the-ground experience in agricultural operations that provide for their local communities while caring for the land. In addition to their on-farm experience, Apprentices will participate in a series of classes, farm tours, and discussion circles focused on sustainable agriculture and food system topics.

OFC Apprentices learn farming methods that enhance soil health, conserve water, and provide healthy food for local communities. Participants work at their Host Farm for 4 to 8 months, either full or part-time, receiving a wage as an employee of the Host Farm. Apprentices complete a minimum of 500 hours of on-farm work experience and attend 19-27 educational events, leaving the program with hands-on training, strong community connections, and a solid understanding of local regenerative farming practices.

Positions

In 2026 Oregon Farm Corps is partnering with over 20 Host Farms, offering a unique variety of farm positions across the state. Positions range from 15 to 40 hours per week. Start and end dates vary based on the Host Farm, but generally begin early to mid spring and run through the fall. Some Host Farms offer housing on the farm, but many do not. The details of each Host Farm are unique and are laid out in each description.

Eligibility

No experience is required to apply, however we recommend that applicants have some prior physical or outdoor work experience, if they do not have prior agricultural experience. Applicants must be 18+ and have US work authorization.

The OFC apprenticeship program could be a good fit for you if…

You have previous farm experience and are ready to further develop your knowledge, skills and network in the field of sustainable agriculture
You don’t have significant farm or garden experience, but you enjoy physical, outdoor work, and want to seriously explore the possibility of a career in agriculture
You have an interest and commitment in building sustainable food systems and are looking for practical, in the field, hands- on training in food production

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Oregon Farm Corps seeks to train an equitable and inclusive next generation of farmers. We are committed to an ongoing learning process around privilege, power, inequality and systems of oppression.

OFC is working to ensure that our programs are welcoming and accessible to communities who are under-represented or face additional barriers in becoming farm operators in Oregon. These groups include women, Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA2s+ individuals, veterans, low-income individuals and immigrants. Our desire to create a more equitable food system is reflected in OFC’s programs and collaborations. Some of the tangible ways we are doing this include:

Incorporating food justice, anti-racism, and Indigenous knowledge into the curriculum of our educational programs,
Prioritizing under-represented BFEES presenters and Host Farms
Offering program scholarships to members of historically marginalized groups
Celebrating the many contributions to agriculture made by Indigenous people, immigrants, queer farmers and farmers of color
Paying attention to inclusivity and group dynamics at educational events

You can read our Equity Statement here.

WHAT DOES A HOST FARM PROVIDE TO APPRENTICES?

Please reference the details in each Host Farm listing for information about farm wages as well as any housing, food, or other benefits offered. Apprentices are hired as seasonal hourly employees of the host farm. Host Farmers provide an orientation, training, experience, and mentorship in a variety of tasks integral to the day-to-day operation of their business, answer Apprentice questions, provide feedback and check-in opportunities, and two evaluations. Apprentices become integral to the Host Farm operations during the production season.

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS: CLASSES, FARM TOURS, AND DISCUSSIONS

Apprentices participate in OFC’s Beginning Farmer Educational Event Series of classes, farm tours, and discussion circles focused on a broad array of sustainable agriculture and food system topics. For 2026 online events occur every other Wednesday afternoon from April 1-October 28th, with additional 9 In-person events and farm tours for in-chapter Apprentices in the Portland, Rogue Valley, and Willamette Valley chapters. Apprentices also engage in supplemental weekend campout gatherings to dig deeper into vital topics around Soil Health on May 2nd&3rd, and Irrigation on June 14&15th.

OFC strives to make all educational events inclusive and welcoming to people from all backgrounds and identities. Classes, tours, and discussions are led by Oregon Farm Corps staff, agricultural professionals, and expert farmers.

To see all of our 2026 classes, farm tours and events view our full event series schedule HERE

TYPES OF AGRICULTURE

Oregon Farm Corps trains beginning farmers in sustainable, regenerative, ecological, and organic farming. Our partner Host Farms practice these production methods. Host farm enterprises vary by farm and include plant-based production (vegetables, herbs, fruit, seeds, etc) and animal-based production (meat, dairy, eggs, etc). Host Farms are commercial, small-to-mid scale operations marketing to their local and regional community via a range of sales channels including farmers market, CSA, wholesale, and more. OFC participants are exposed to various farm production and marketing systems via OFC’s farm tour events.

GRADUATE SUPPORT

Oregon Farm Corps staff will support program graduates with regular check-ins after graduation in order to help connect graduates with resources, create and update goals, and further graduates’ objectives as they continue along their farming trajectory.

SCHOLARSHIPS, PROGRAM FEES, & PAYMENT DATES

Scholarships are available! Please indicate your scholarship request in your application. Our Future Farmer Fund scholarships prioritize participants who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color), LGBTQIA2s+, veterans, impacted by the carceral system, and low-income participants.

The 2026 Apprenticeship Program has a fee of $600 for those in the Portland, Rogue Valley, and Willamette Valley areas who will be coming to the full series of events. Apprentices at Distanced Host Farms outside of the chapter locations pay $400 for the full-season as they attend fewer events. Fees help cover the costs associated with coordinating the event series and supporting Host Farmers and program participants.

Upon accepting a placement offer at a Host Farm, participants pay OFC a $100 non-refundable deposit toward their total fee. The remainder of the program fee is due at the completion of the on-farm trial period. We are happy to create an extended payment plan with you if that is helpful, please let us know.

TRIAL PERIOD

There is a trial period at the beginning of each Apprentice position, as the Host Farmer and Apprentice make sure the relationship is a good fit for all. If one or both parties decides to terminate the Apprenticeship during the trial period, the remainder of the OFC tuition that has not been paid yet is not owed. Trial periods are typically 30-45 days from the start date of the position.