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K-State Research and Extension
123 Umberger Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506-3401
785-532-5820
extadmin@ksu.edu

November 25, 2025

Growing Growers Apprenticeship Bootcamp

Submitted by Claire B Barnhart

Flier of Apprenticeship Bootcamp event

Growing Growers is an apprenticeship program for those seeking to gain the experience needed to start their own farm. Participants engage in hands-on farm work at their host farm, have 12-month access to an extensive online course, and attend a series of in-person workshops and farm tours throughout the growing season.

Join us on Friday, December 5, for a one-day training to learn more about facilitating a grower's apprenticeship program and its outcomes! Through this Apprenticeship Bootcamp, program staff will support educators with tools and knowledge to further opportunities for individuals to learn farming skills from growers.

This online event will provide:
• An overview of the Growing Growers apprenticeship model and the key components of a successful apprenticeship program
• Apprentice spotlights where graduates can share their stories and where they are now
• Tools used by program staff and resources provided for host farmers and apprentices
• Insight from several host farmers from their experiences with training beginning growers

Event agenda:

10:00 am - 10:15 am Welcome and Introductions

10:15 am - 11:00 am Apprenticeship Program Overview
An outline of the Growing Growers apprenticeship program model, including components for apprentices, roles of program staff and host farmers, and our seasonal timeline.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm Apprentice Spotlights
Several Growing Growers graduates will share their apprenticeship stories and where they are now.

12:00 pm - 12:45 pm Lunch Break

12:45 pm - 1:15 pm Apprenticeship Toolkit
A deeper dive into the materials used to make our program successful, such as our marketing plans, applications for host farmers and apprentices, agreement forms, evaluation materials, training records, etc.

1:15 pm - 1:45 pm Host Farmer Panel
A conversation with some of the folks who make this program possible! Several host farmers will share challenges, rewarding moments, and advice as farm mentors.

1:45 pm - 2:00 pm Discussion and Closing Remarks

Register using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/growing-growers-apprenticeship-bootcamp-tickets-1761870364689?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

In this issue

From KSRE Administration
Health and Wellness
Extension Professional Trainings
Publications Update
Calendar of Events