Love being outdoors? Interested in gaining sustainable farming experience and learning about land stewardship? This Apprenticeship may be for you!
Douglas County Kansas
As an Apprentice you will:
Gain practical hands-on experience with farming and land stewardship
Work side by side with establishing farmers at the Common Ground Farm in North Lawrence.
Have exposure to a variety of cultural food producing and land stewardship practices, and conservation agriculture techniques.
Follow a self-paced curriculum from soil to food safety, and from business plans to plant nutrition.
Be mutually matched with one or more mentor farmer(s) to tailor the majority of your apprentice experience.
Pay Rate: $15.35 /Hour
Start Date: April 8, 2026
End Date: August 31, 2026 (Potential opportunity to extend work through November)
About the Common Ground Farm:
Established in 2013, the Common Ground Farm is located off Highway 40, just to the east of the intersection with Route 59 in North Lawrence. The farm exists on 4.5 acres and provides divided plots for establishing farmers, with particular focus on sustaining cultural heritage and/or farming with conservation techniques. The farm is overseen by the Douglas County Sustainability Office, as Common Ground Farm Apprenticeship Program 2026 is part of the County’s initiatives to sustain a thriving local food system. Now in its 4th year, the apprenticeship is an evolving effort to expand access to the Common Ground Farm’s mission.
Flexible Hours: Your schedule is coordinated with your mentor farmer(s) to work for both of you. Evening and weekend hours may apply. An apprentice learning experience is estimated at 100 hours over the growing season, however, more or less hours may be available.
Applicant Requirements:
- Curiosity and eagerness to learn, particularly in regard to food production and land stewardship.
- Ability and willingness to work in various conditions - such as heat, cold, and rain - and to lift, stoop, dig, sweat, and get dirty.*
- Self-direction and motivation to work independently on the farm curriculum and as arranged with your mentor farmer.
*Due to the physical, hands-on nature of this opportunity, our ability to provide accommodation for all needs is currently limited. Please inquire if accommodation is needed for participation and we will do our best to facilitate access.
Pay Rate: $15.35
Start Date: April 8, 2026
How to Apply:
To apply, complete this Application Form
Questions? contact us via email at dcfpc@dgcoks.gov
Applications are due