CRAFT DAY AT THE FARM -- APPRENTICES PULLING THE PLOW

Orchard Hill Farm is part of the “Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (or CRAFT)” network of farms across Southern Ontario. Each farm takes on a number of apprentices and gives them the opportunity to learn some of the many skills needed to produce fruits, vegetables, field crops, and livestock organically. The apprentices work on the farm in return for room and board, and are given instruction and hands on experience in organic farming practices. At Orchard Hill Farm, we provide the opportunity for apprentices to learn to  care for and work with the draft horse as a main source of power on the farm. Ken and Martha prefer apprentices to start the last week of March and experience the full growing and harvesting season for the CSA garden, which runs until the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend.

There are positions for four apprentices for the season who are keenly interested in organic vegetable production  using the work horse in the field.  Sharing of expertise and experience as well as a stipend and room and board is offered in exchange for apprentice’s labour.  Our positions for the 2010 season are filled.

Completed Exterior of Bunkhouse

An ecologically friendly post and beam straw bale apprentice bunkhouse has recently been completed. The ash timbers and straw were all harvested from the farm. The clay required for plastering also came from the Orchard Hill property.  Ken’s design for the building incorporates passive solar heating and has solar generated electricity. CSA members and apprentices helped with the timber frame raising, building of the straw bale walls and plastering.

Ken and Martha have a wealth of knowledge and experience related to farming gained through thirty years of farming, which they are happy to share with young farmers-to-be!
Those interested in applying for the 2011 season should contact:
Orchard Hill Farm – Ken and Martha Laing – (519)775-2670 kmlaing@orchardhillfarm.ca

Jolianne discing with 4 abreast

Apprentices after lunch

Transplanting corn