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Become a Regenerative Agriculture Professional
ORCA's foundation apprenticeship provides the essential skills every regenerative farmer needs—from soil health principles to equipment operation to working effectively with soil consultants.
What Makes This Program Different
Foundation Skills First: We teach you to farm regeneratively from day one—using practices that build soil health even before you learn all the science behind them:
Cover cropping that feeds soil biology
Composting that builds soil structure
Irrigation that conserves water and supports microbes
Observation skills that catch problems early
Working effectively with consultants and experienced farm managers who understand advanced soil analysis
Science-Supported Training: You'll understand the principles behind regenerative practices:
Why certain amendments help or harm soil life
How water management affects microbiology
What plant health indicators reveal about soil balance
When to bring in consultants or experienced managers for deeper analysis
Practical Implementation: Learn to apply recommendations from soil consultants and experienced farm managers:
How to collect proper soil samples for testing
Reading and understanding soil test reports
Implementing mineral balancing recommendations
Applying microbial management strategies
Tracking results and adjusting practices
Real-World Skills: Graduate ready to:
Manage a regenerative farm operation
Work productively with soil health consultants and experienced farm managers
Implement soil test recommendations correctly
Navigate California's regenerative agriculture regulations and funding programs
Ensure FSMA/PSR compliance for produce operations
Help farms meet CDFA regenerative farming standards
Recognize when specialized testing is needed
Keep accurate records that consultants and managers can use and meet food safety documentation requirements
Position farms to access state and federal regenerative agriculture funding
Grow healthy, marketable crops with proper food safety protocols
Program Overview
Duration: 2-year full-time apprenticeship (seasonal farm operations accommodated, may extend timeline)
Work-Based Learning: 4,000 hours of paid employment at approved regenerative farms in California (2,000 hours per year)
Classroom Instruction: 340 hours of comprehensive training (170 hours per year) covering essential regenerative agriculture skills including:
Worker safety and emergency preparedness
FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Produce Safety Rule (PSR) training and certification
Soil health and management
Equipment operation and maintenance
Integrated pest management
Water and irrigation systems (including FSMA water quality requirements)
Harvest and post-harvest handling (FSMA-compliant practices)
Farm business basics
Working with soil consultants and experienced farm managers
Understanding California regenerative agriculture regulations
Accessing state and federal funding programs for regenerative farm.
Note: Curriculum is developed in partnership with host farms to ensure apprentices learn the skills farmers need most, including compliance with FDA food safety standards, California's evolving regenerative agriculture standards, and 30x30 initiatives.
Certification: California DAS apprenticeship completion certificate (Program #101310) and FSMA/PSR food safety certification
Advanced Skills You'll Learn to Support
Working with Soil Consultants and Experienced Farm Managers: The foundation program prepares you to collaborate effectively with mineral and microbial management specialists:
Proper Sampling - Collecting soil samples correctly for accurate lab results
Report Interpretation - Understanding what soil tests reveal about your soil
Implementation - Applying consultant and manager recommendations accurately
Monitoring - Tracking changes and reporting results
Communication - Asking the right questions and providing useful information
Mineral Management Support: Learn practices that support proper elemental balance based on the Albrecht method:
Understanding soil chemistry basics (pH, CEC, major nutrients)
Base saturation and cation exchange principles
Recognizing nutrient deficiency and toxicity symptoms
Applying amendments according to test recommendations
Avoiding materials that harm soil balance
Building soil structure that holds nutrients properly
Microbial Management Support: Learn practices that promote beneficial soil biology:
Understanding soil microbial communities: bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes
Minimizing soil disturbance to protect fungal networks
Using compost and amendments that feed microbes
Managing water to maintain soil oxygen levels
Cover cropping to keep living roots feeding soil life
Avoiding inputs that kill beneficial organisms
Recognizing functional groups (nutrient fixers vs. cyclers)
Observation & Indicators: Develop visual and sensory skills for assessing soil and plant health:
Soil structure and aggregation
Root health and development
Plant vigor and color
Using brix meters to monitor plant sugar content
Pest and disease pressure as health indicators
Seasonal changes in soil life
Future Advanced Track (After 2+ Years): Graduates of the foundation program may pursue advanced training in:
Laboratory Techniques - Learning qualitative microbial observation and analysis
Microscopy Skills - Identifying and counting soil organisms
Complex Testing - Sap analysis and soil paste tests
Consultant-Level Interpretation - Making recommendations from comprehensive data
Specialized Mineral Balancing - Advanced elemental ratio management
What You'll Learn That Sets You Apart
Consultant Collaboration: Learn to be an excellent team member for soil health consultants and experienced managers:
When and why to request soil testing
How to collect representative samples
What information consultants and managers need from you
How to implement complex recommendations
Tracking and reporting results effectively
Foundational Practices Done Right: Learn regenerative methods that consultants recommend:
Minimal tillage systems that protect soil structure
Cover crop selection and management
Compost application timing and methods
Water management for soil oxygen
Recognizing and avoiding harmful inputs
Plant Health Through Soil Health: Understand the connections consultants and experienced managers use to diagnose problems:
How soil imbalances show up in plants
Why pest pressure indicates underlying issues
What plant symptoms reveal about soil chemistry
When problems require testing in addition to observation
How to describe what you're seeing to consultants and managers
Building Toward Independence: Start developing skills for future specialization:
Basic soil observation and assessment
Using simple tools like brix meters to monitor plant health
Understanding test reports and recommendations
Recognizing patterns between inputs and results
Developing your eye for soil and plant health
Foundation for future advanced training
Eligibility Requirements
Must be at least 18 years old
Physically able to perform farm work in various weather conditions
Commitment to completing the full 2-year program
Ability to work full-time (seasonal schedules accommodated)
Valid driver's license preferred
Legal authorization to work in the United States
Genuine interest in regenerative agriculture and soil health
No prior farming experience required! We welcome career changers, recent graduates, and anyone passionate about sustainable food systems.
What to Expect
Wages: Apprentices are paid employees of host farms. Starting wages typically $[X-X]/hour with increases as competencies are demonstrated.
Schedule:
Full-time apprenticeship (typically 40 hours/week during active farming season)
Seasonal farm operations accommodated (timeline may extend beyond 2 years)
One classroom day per month (typically 8-12 hours)
Outdoor physical work in all seasons and weather conditions
Work Environment:
Hands-on farm labor: planting, cultivating, harvesting, maintenance
Physical demands: lifting up to 50 lbs, prolonged standing, bending
Exposure to sun, rain, heat, cold, dust, and mud
Use of hand tools, power equipment, and farm machinery
Support System:
Regular check-ins with ORCA staff
Mentorship from experienced host farm managers
Peer learning cohorts
Access to testing equipment and analytical resources
Ongoing educational materials and resources
Career Pathways After Graduation
Immediate Opportunities: ORCA foundation graduates are prepared for:
Farm Manager - Oversee day-to-day regenerative farm operations
Assistant Farm Manager - Support experienced managers in implementing soil health programs
Skilled Farm Worker - Execute regenerative practices at a professional level
Farm Crew Supervisor - Lead teams in implementing consultant recommendations
Compliance Coordinator - Help farms navigate regenerative certification and funding requirements
With Experience: After gaining experience, graduates can:
Farm Owner/Operator - As California's farmers retire over the next 15 years, unprecedented opportunities for farm ownership and leasing will emerge
Consultant Assistant - Work with soil consultants and experienced managers collecting samples and implementing recommendations
Farm Educator - Teach others regenerative practices
Research Assistant - Support soil health research projects
Regenerative Program Coordinator - Help farms access state and federal funding programs
Advanced Track Future Pathways: After completing advanced training:
Soil Health Consultant - Provide testing and recommendations to farmers
Laboratory Technician - Perform soil and plant analysis professionally
Specialized Consultant - Focus on mineral management, microbial ecology, or specific crops
Educator/Trainer - Teach advanced soil science to other farmers
Regulatory Compliance Specialist - Guide farms through regenerative certification processes
Program Tracks
Standard Foundation Track (Most Apprentices):
No prior farming experience required
Learn from the ground up
Complete full 4,000 hour program
All 170 hours of RSI instruction per year
Graduate ready to farm regeneratively and work with consultants
Experienced Farmer Track: For those with significant farming experience:
Competency assessment upon entry
Test out of modules you've already mastered
Focus on areas where you need development
Accelerated timeline possible
Bridge to advanced training track
Advanced Training Track (Future): For foundation graduates or experienced farmers:
Requires completion of foundation program OR equivalent experience
Focuses on analytical and consultant-level skills
Laboratory techniques and microscopy
Complex testing and interpretation
Prepares you to provide consulting services
How to Apply
Initial Program Phase: During our launch phase, ORCA is working with farms who have existing employees interested in becoming apprentices. If you're currently working on a regenerative farm and want to formalize your training, talk to your farm manager or owner about enrolling in ORCA's apprenticeship program.
Application Process:
Farm and employee jointly express interest to ORCA
ORCA reviews farm as potential training site
Employee completes apprentice application
Phone interview with ORCA program staff (30-45 minutes)
Farm approval and apprenticeship agreement
Orientation and safety training (2-3 days)
Begin formal apprenticeship with structured training
Future Recruitment: As the program grows, ORCA will recruit and place apprentices with approved host farms.
Ready to Get Started?
If you're a farm with an employee ready to apprentice, or an employee interested in asking your farm to participate:
[Contact Us Button]
Questions?
Contact us:
Email: apprenticeships@orca-ca.com
Phone: [Your phone number]
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I have no farming experience. Can I still apply?
A: Absolutely! We design our program for people new to agriculture. What matters most is your willingness to learn and commitment to the field.
Q: Do I need my own housing?
A: Housing is not provided through ORCA, though some host farms may offer housing as part of employment. We can connect you with local resources.
Q: Can I work part-time while doing the apprenticeship?
A: This is designed as a full-time 2-year apprenticeship requiring 4,000 hours of farm work (2,000 hours per year). Seasonal farm schedules are accommodated, which may extend the timeline beyond 2 years, but the expectation is full-time commitment during active farming seasons.
Q: What if I realize farming isn't for me?
A: We understand. The skills you learn (business management, equipment operation, biological systems) transfer to many fields. However, we ask for serious commitment before starting.
Q: Will I be certified organic?
A: You'll receive a California DAS apprenticeship completion certificate and FSMA/PSR food safety certification. The program focuses on regenerative agriculture practices, many of which align with or exceed organic standards. You'll understand how to farm regeneratively, organically, and beyond.
Q: What's the difference between this and a college agriculture program?
A: You're paid to learn, you get 2,000+ hours of real farm experience, and you graduate with state certification and practical skills. Plus our focus on soil biology and regenerative systems is more advanced than most university programs.
Q: I have farming experience already. Can I test out of basics?
A: Yes! We offer an experienced farmer track where you can demonstrate competency and skip modules you've already mastered, focusing on areas where you want to develop.
Q: Will I learn to do soil testing myself?
A: The foundation program teaches you to work with consultants who do advanced testing. You'll learn sampling, interpretation, and implementation. Advanced training (future) will teach you to perform the testing yourself.
Q: What's the difference between foundation and advanced tracks?
A: Foundation (current program) teaches you to farm regeneratively and work with consultants. Advanced track (future, after 2+ years) teaches you to BE the consultant—performing analysis and making recommendations. There are no formal certifications in soil analysis, but you gain professional-level skills.
Q: Can I become a soil consultant through this program?
A: The foundation program prepares you for farm management. After completing foundation and gaining experience, you can pursue advanced training to develop consultant-level analytical skills. This prepares you to offer consulting services, though there are no formal certifications in this field.
Q: Will I learn to use a brix meter?
A: Yes! Brix monitoring is taught in the foundation program as a simple tool for assessing plant health. It's an accessible way to start understanding plant sugar content and health status.
Q: Do I need to understand soil chemistry to start?
A: No! We teach you practices that work first. You'll learn the "why" behind them as you go. Advanced chemistry and analysis comes later for those who want to specialize.