FAQs for FARMS What we love about our farms is that each one is unique. Each farm presents a different set of logistics for hosting an apprentice. The below FAQs answer some of the common questions that frequently arise. However, we want to hear from you to gather any more information that you might need! Please contact us at info@annesaxelbylegacyfund.org. What does it mean when you say “fully-funded, monthlong apprenticeships”? ASLF is committed to paying $20/hour for 40 hours per week for 4 weeks earmarked for each apprentice. We also provide a $400 stipend to each apprentice. If travel, transportation, and housing are necessary, ASLF will cover those costs as well. Apprentices must become W2 employees of the farm, and ASLF will reimburse the farm for those wages plus any payroll expenses that the farm incurs. This protects the farm, ASLF and the apprentice. The stipend, travel, transport and housing will be administered directly through ASLF to the apprentice, and the farm is not responsible for managing any of these logistics or costs. Do I need lodging on my property to host an apprentice? While we prefer there to be housing on your property or nearby, we do not consider it a barrier to hosting. If there is no housing available, we will work with you to source the best and most reasonable available housing opportunities in the area. Can I host more than one apprentice? Once we finalize our host farm list for the season, we will accommodate at least one apprentice per farm. If you’re interested in hosting more than one apprentice, please let us know. What month does the program take place? Most apprenticeships occur between June– August, with a few in May and September. Please note the specific dates that work best for you on your farm form.
What if the needs of my operation are greater in a month outside of the June–August window? Please let us know which months are most intensive on your farm, and we will work to accommodate your schedule. Can I host for more than a month? Most apprenticeships with our new host farms start at one month but we want to hear what works best for your operation. There may be an opportunity to extend the apprenticeship. What’s the experience level of the apprentices? Have they farmed before? The typical age range of our apprentices is 17–26, though some may be older. Their level of experience varies: some may be novices, while others may come with many years of experience. If there is a skill level necessary to operate successfully on your farm, please note this on your farm form. We gather information on the apprentice application regarding the specific farm interests of the applicant (cheesemaking, livestock, vegetable etc.) to better match them with a host farm. Do we get to choose our apprentices? Apprentices are chosen for your farm based on your needs (on your farm form), coupled with their interests and skill level. After their interview with our selection committee, they are paired with a proposed farm and an interview is conducted with the farm and the applicant. The farm must approve the applicant as the final stage of apprentice acceptance into our program.