Apprenticeship Program
Farm and Garden Apprenticeship at Herbana Farms Philippines: Six Month Residential Position
An apprenticeship program in Tropical Ecological Agriculture is offered annually. The program runs for six months that offers instruction and daily work experience in organic gardening and farming, stressing ecological interactions amongst plants, soils, climate, insects, and pathogens. Part of the program is a community immersion with the indigenous peoples of the Northern Philippines famous rice terraces, including special tours at the resort island of Puerto Galera, Mindoro, and island hopping in the Philippines’ last frontier Palawan. There will be lots of work and lots of fun!
We are opening our apprenticeship this November 2005. It shall run for six months.We are currently a community of 10 adults sharing meals, chores, and facilities. We look for people who want to experience a rural communal life working in our farm and garden. Apprentice who decides to continue after the program will be allowed to do so.
You will be working with Gil Carandang and one other colleagues from the local farm school. One day a week classroom instruction will be provided for . Most of the week, actual work in the farm that includes propagation, greenhouse work, garden and field work, and feeding, maintenance of chicken and tilapia.
Within the year, we hope to set-up the kids garden, a little spa and sauna, solar shower and natural pool. We will also start our tropical orchard and aquaculture modules. We sell our produce at the farmers market and hopefully, come October, we shall start our community supported agriculture (CSA).
Part of the apprenticeship program is being assigned for a few days or weeks to our collaborated organic farms in the country. It will be a community type of living using common facilities and sharing food and chores. We are not vegetarians but we can accommodate special foods for special people’s requirements.
Enjoy the tropical weather of the Philippines and its people’s hospitality!
| Terms and conditions |
The apprenticeship include 5-day week schedule to include work in the farm, assigned work schedule in the farmers market and community supported agriculture (CSA) (deliveries and manning booth or other related functions). One day a week we will have semi-formal classroom type instructions on organic and natural farming technologies. Fridays are generally for special personal projects. Apprentice shall be able to participate on any of our formal seminars-workshops that are offered to the public. Occasionally, apprentice will be able to participate in our local agricultural fairs especially the annual BIOSEARCH (herbal, natural and organic show), farms visits and may be assigned to work on other farms we are helping and developing. Herbana Farms also do consultancy work on ecofarm development and technology transfers.
Areas of training will include: Biodynamics and French Intensive, Natural Farming, Culture of Beneficial Microorganisms, Preparation of Bionutrients, Propagation Techniques, Pest and Diseases, Orchard Management, Free-Range Chicken, Tilapia Aquaculture, Mushroom Culture, Greenhouse Management, Marketing through Farmers Market and CSA, Row Crops, Composting, Soils, Social and Environmental Issues.
And as part of the apprenticeship program, we allow apprentices to participate in our countryside tour program. Currently, we are working on island hopping tours and immersion with indigenous people of the Northern Philippines . Another tour will be on a nearby resort island of Puerto Galera in Mindoro known for its 23 dive sites – scuba, snorkeling, including natural trekking and visit of Mangyan (indigenous people) village of the island. Herbana Farms will partly subsidize in the participation or any or all of these countryside tours.
The community is not strictly vegetarian although we use a lot of our own grown vegetables. Everyone in our community dine together in our kitchen and living room. All residents, including apprentices share cooking, cleaning and general upkeep responsibilities. The farm however, maintains maids that take care of general housekeeping, including cooking. We also have a farm driver.
For details of the cost of apprenticeship, contact Gil Carandang @ gil_carandang@yahoo.com.
| Time-off |
Saturday and Sunday are generally the time-offs, unless requested to participate in our farmers market and CSA schedules, farm participation to agricultural fairs and conferences.
| Who may apply? |
Prior gardening and farming experience is helpful but not necessary. However, a strong desire to learn and keen interest in hands-on gardening and farming is essential. We are looking for self-motivated, self-starting people. The apprenticeship will involve all aspects of organic production including propagation and greenhouse work, watering, bed preparation, composting, transplanting and sowing, weeding, harvesting, and seed saving and processing, including related functions in care and maintenance of our small livestock free-range chickens and tilapia aquaculture. Physical stamina is necessary.
We are looking for someone relaxed and comfortable in group of people and who can routinely manage a broad diversity of challenges at once. You must be flexible and energetic to accommodate the dynamic process of our visions, fascinations and frustrations! We celebrate diversity, are non-sectarian and are committed to maintaining pluralistic, tolerant, supportive, honest and open working and loving environment.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn practical skills that you will develop for use for the rest of your life!
| How to apply? | |
Gil A. Carandang |
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