EP 13 Ever wanted to be a farmer? Hear from two of our apprentices
What does a modern farming apprenticeship really look like? On this episode of the Amber Waves Farmcast, hosts Amanda and Katie sit down with apprentices Maya and Natalie to unpack a full season on a 35‑acre organic vegetable, grain, and flower farm on the eastern end of Long Island. From learning to drive tractors before a DMV road test to bulk harvests of winter squash and sweet potatoes, they share the skills, surprises, and community that define life on a working, teaching farm. You’ll also hear why apprenticeships matter right now as the average American farmer nears retirement, and how on‑the‑ground experience can shape future paths in food justice, education, and urban agriculture.What you’ll learn:- How a paid, 9–10 month farming apprenticeship works at Amber Waves, from weekly classroom topics to hands-on rotations across equipment, flowers, CSA, and wash/pack[[1]]- The difference between August “harvest, harvest, harvest” and fall’s heavy, bulk storage crops like winter squash, popcorn, and sweet potatoes- Confidence-building firsts: irrigation fixes with an impact driver, running implements, and working with a 20+ person seasonal crew- Why apprenticeships are critical: the average U.S. farmer is 58, and the country is losing roughly a million acres of farmland per year - Urban ↔ rural bridges: taking full‑season field experience back to city gardens, school programs, and food access workChapters:0:00 Welcome to Amber Waves Farmcast0:40 What is a farming apprenticeship?3:30 Inside the Amber Waves curriculum and rotations8:00 Apprentices’ origin stories: city roots, WWOOFing, and scaling up14:30 Tractor firsts, irrigation saves, and crew life21:00 August intensity vs. fall bulk harvests27:00 Cooking from the field: squash, tomatoes, radicchio32:30 Why apprenticeships matter now: pipeline, land, and livelihoods38:00 Urban agriculture, education, and what’s nex00:00 Reflecting on New Friendships and Community00:35 Introduction to Amber Waves Farm Cast01:11 Defining a Farming Apprenticeship03:21 Natalie's Journey to Farming04:18 Maya's Path to Amber Waves06:55 The Challenges and Rewards of Farming13:03 The Intensity of August Harvest15:31 The Joys of Fall Farming20:39 Applying Farm Experience to Urban Life23:51 Advice for Future Apprentices24:18 Preparing for the Apprenticeship25:22 Choosing the Right Farm27:30 The Learning Experience31:15 Economic Considerations34:34 Cooking and Community41:10 Looking AheadCall to action:- Enjoyed this episode? Please like, subscribe, and share to support the show.- Interested in Amber Waves’ apprenticeship program? Apply or learn more on our website.- Join our CSA, visit the farm market, or donate to support farmer training and food access.Hashtags:#FutureOfFarming #OrganicFarming #FarmApprenticeship #AmberWaves #RegenerativeAg #CSA #Farmcast #FoodJustice #sustainablefarming Farming apprenticeship, Amber Waves Farm, organic farming, CSA, East Hampton, Long Island agriculture, farm education, soil health, harvest, winter squash, sweet potatoes, WWOOF, urban farming, food justice, sustainability, beginning farmers, farm university
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