FOR FARMERS PAGE
Build Your Farm's Future with Skilled Apprentices
Finding reliable, knowledgeable farm workers is agriculture's biggest challenge. ORCA provides motivated apprentices who bring energy, commitment, and cutting-edge regenerative knowledge to your operation.
Why Host an ORCA Apprentice
Foundation-Level Skills with Advanced Potential: ORCA apprentices learn regenerative practices that align with advanced soil management—even if they don't yet perform the analysis themselves. They're trained to:
Implement consultant recommendations accurately
Collect proper soil samples
Recognize plant and soil health indicators
Work productively with your consultants and advisors
Apply regenerative practices correctly
Trained in Your Language: ORCA apprentices understand:
That soil biology is the foundation of farm health
How practices affect soil structure and microbial life
Why certain inputs help or harm soil ecology
The importance of proper sampling and documentation
How to communicate effectively with soil consultants and experienced managers
Long-Term Investment:
Apprentices who complete foundation program may pursue advanced training
Some may develop into consultant-level soil specialists
You're building skilled staff who share your regenerative values
Strong foundation makes future learning easier
Network connections in regenerative ag community
Reduced Training Burden:
ORCA provides 340 hours of structured classroom education (170 hours per year)
Clear competency standards and progress tracking
Regular check-ins and support from ORCA staff
Access to testing and analytical resources
Financial Benefits:
Potential tax advantages for training expenses
Access to apprenticeship-related grants and funding
Build your reputation as a premier training site
Position your farm to meet CDFA regenerative standards for funding eligibility
Reduced recruitment and turnover costs
Apprentices can help navigate emerging regenerative certification requirements
What ORCA Brings to Your Farm
Standardized Foundation Training: All ORCA apprentices receive consistent education in:
Safety protocols and emergency response
FDA FSMA and Produce Safety Rule (PSR) compliance and certification
Equipment operation and maintenance
Regenerative soil management practices
Working effectively with consultants, experienced managers, and advisors
Record keeping and documentation (including food safety records)
Post-harvest handling and food safety
Water quality management for food safety and irrigation
Consultant-Ready Skills: Apprentices learn to:
Collect soil samples correctly for lab analysis
Understand and implement test recommendations
Document practices and results for consultants and managers
Recognize when specialized help is needed
Communicate observations effectively
Help farms meet regenerative certification standards
Access and navigate state and federal funding programs for regenerative agriculture
Regenerative Practice Implementation: Apprentices understand:
Why minimal tillage protects soil structure
How cover crops feed soil biology
When and how to apply compost
Water management for soil health
Avoiding inputs that harm soil life
Systems Thinking: Apprentices grasp connections between:
Soil management and plant health
Plant health and pest pressure
Water management and soil biology
Practices and long-term soil building
Advanced Skills Development
For Experienced Farmers: If your farm already employs soil consultants or you perform your own advanced testing, ORCA can work with you to:
Train apprentices in your specific protocols
Bridge from foundation to advanced skills
Develop consultant-level capabilities over time
Create pathways to advanced training (future program)
Growing Capacity: As your apprentice progresses:
Foundation skills (Year 1-2): Implementing practices correctly
Intermediate skills (with experience): Understanding why practices work
Advanced potential (additional 2+ year program): May pursue consultant-level training
Specialist skills: Some may develop into soil health specialists for your operation
Host Farm Requirements
To become an approved ORCA training site, your farm must meet these criteria:
Production Requirements:
Actively engaged in regenerative, organic, or transitional organic production
Demonstrated commitment to soil health and ecological practices
Sufficient scale and crop/activity diversity to provide meaningful learning
Safe working conditions and properly maintained equipment
Willingness to avoid harmful inputs (aluminum sulfate, anhydrous ammonia, calcium nitrate, chloride-containing materials)
Supervision & Mentorship:
Designate an experienced farm manager/owner as primary supervisor
Commit to structured skill development and mentoring
Provide regular feedback on apprentice progress
Allow apprentice to attend monthly classroom sessions
Participate in quarterly check-ins with ORCA staff
Support apprentice in completing competency assessments
Employment Requirements:
Hire apprentices as W-2 employees (not independent contractors)
Pay competitive wages (minimum $[X]/hour, increasing with demonstrated skills)
Provide workers' compensation insurance
Comply with all California labor laws and safety regulations
Allow time off for monthly ORCA classroom instruction (typically 1 day/month)
Maintain accurate records of hours and tasks
Farm Safety Standards:
Maintain OSHA-compliant working conditions
Provide required safety equipment and PPE
Conduct regular safety briefings
Have emergency action plans in place
Report any incidents to ORCA immediately
Soil Health Practices: Host farms should demonstrate regenerative practices such as:
Minimal tillage or no-till systems
Cover cropping and/or green manures
Compost application and/or biological inoculants
Diverse crop rotations
Integrated livestock (if applicable)
Water conservation practices
Soil testing and responsive management
How the Partnership Works
1. Application & Approval
Complete host farm application
ORCA staff conducts farm site visit
Review of farming practices and facilities
Approval as ORCA training site
2. Apprentice Matching
Initial Phase: Farms bring their existing employees who want to become apprentices
Future Phase: ORCA shares profiles of qualified apprentice candidates for farms to interview
Mutual agreement on placement
Employment contract (or formalization of existing employment) between farm and apprentice
3. Onboarding
Apprentice completes ORCA orientation and safety training
Farm provides farm-specific orientation
Review of apprenticeship agreement and expectations
Establish communication protocols with ORCA staff
4. Ongoing Training
Apprentice works on your farm while attending monthly classes
ORCA provides curriculum materials and resources
Quarterly check-ins with ORCA staff
Progress tracking through competency assessments
Support available for any issues or challenges
5. Completion
Apprentice completes 4,000 hours and all competencies
Final evaluation and recommendation
Apprentice receives California DAS certification
Potential for continued employment in advanced role
Support Services Through Partners
New Opportunity Systems (NOS) provides optional administrative support:
Payroll processing and management
HR compliance assistance
Documentation and record-keeping
Workers' compensation administration
This allows you to focus on farming and mentoring while NOS handles paperwork.
Working With Your Consultants and Experienced Farm Managers
Consultant Collaboration: ORCA apprentices are trained to support your existing relationships with soil health consultants and experienced managers:
They know how to collect proper samples
They understand basic soil test reports
They can implement recommendations accurately
They document results for consultant and manager review
They know when to ask questions vs. when to execute
Bridge to Advanced Skills: If you work with consultants or have experienced managers for mineral management or microbial analysis:
Apprentices learn the practices consultants and managers recommend
They understand the "why" behind recommendations
They can help you implement complex protocols
They may eventually develop advanced skills themselves (future advanced training track)
Example Collaboration: A typical scenario might be:
Your consultant or experienced manager provides soil test and recommendations
Apprentice helps collect samples and document conditions
Apprentice implements amendment applications per specifications
Apprentice monitors results and reports back
Over time, apprentice deepens understanding of the system
What Apprentices Bring to Your Farm
Immediate Contributions:
Reliable, motivated labor
Basic farming skills and safety awareness
Willingness to learn and take direction
Fresh perspective and new ideas
Growing Capabilities: As apprentices progress, they can:
Operate equipment independently
Manage irrigation systems
Take soil samples and interpret results
Scout for pests and make IPM decisions
Train newer workers
Manage harvest and post-harvest operations
Keep accurate records
Eventually supervise others
Cultural Fit: ORCA apprentices are selected for:
Strong work ethic and reliability
Positive attitude and teachability
Alignment with regenerative values
Communication skills
Physical capability for farm work
Investment & Returns
Your Investment:
Wages: $[X-X]/hour starting (increasing with skills)
Workers' compensation insurance
Time for mentoring and supervision
One day per month for classroom attendance
Safety equipment and training
Your Returns:
Skilled workers who understand regenerative principles
Staff who can work productively with your consultants
FSMA/PSR-certified employees who can handle produce operations compliantly
Reduced training time for regenerative practices and food safety
Better implementation of soil health recommendations
Improved soil and crop management
Proper food safety documentation and practices
Network connections in regenerative ag community
Foundation staff who may grow into specialists
Pride in training the next generation
Current & Past Host Farms
ORCA is currently building our network of host farms across California's diverse agricultural regions. Become a founding training site and help shape regenerative agriculture education.
Interested in Hosting?
Initial Program Phase: We're currently working with farms who have existing employees interested in becoming apprentices. If you have a team member who wants to formalize their regenerative agriculture training through our state-certified program, we'd love to talk with you.
Next Steps:
Discuss apprenticeship opportunity with your employee
Contact ORCA to discuss your farm and the employee's goals
Schedule a farm site visit
Complete host farm application
Employee completes apprentice application
Begin apprenticeship with structured training!
Contact Us:
Email: orca-ca.com
Phone: 707-397-5159
Frequently Asked Questions for Host Farms
Q: How much does it cost to host an apprentice?
A: You pay wages (starting at $[X]/hour), workers' comp insurance, and provide necessary tools/equipment. Optional support services through NOS are available at additional cost.
Q: What if the apprentice isn't working out?
A: ORCA provides support for addressing issues. In rare cases where the fit isn't right, we can help transition the apprentice to another farm or exit the program.
Q: Can we hire multiple apprentices?
A: Yes! Farms with sufficient scale, diversity, and supervision capacity can host multiple apprentices.
Q: Do we need to be certified organic?
A: No, but you must be practicing regenerative/ecological agriculture and willing to avoid harmful inputs listed in our standards.
Q: How much supervision time is required?
A: Plan for daily check-ins, weekly detailed reviews, and ongoing mentoring throughout work days. The time investment decreases as apprentices gain competence.
Q: What if we're seasonal?
A: Seasonal operations are accommodated. The 4,000 hour requirement (2,000 hours per year) can be met across multiple seasons, which may extend the apprenticeship beyond the standard 2 years. The key is maintaining full-time employment during your active farming seasons.
Q: Can apprentices help with value-added products or farm stand sales?
A: Yes! Diverse farm activities provide valuable learning experiences. We encourage exposure to all aspects of farm operations.
Q: Will apprentices know how to do soil testing?
A: Foundation apprentices learn to work WITH consultants who do advanced testing. They'll know how to collect samples, read reports, and implement recommendations. Advanced testing skills come in future specialized training.
Q: We use a soil consultant. Will the apprentice understand our program?
A: Yes! ORCA specifically trains apprentices to work productively with soil consultants and experienced farm managers. They'll understand your consultant's or manager's recommendations and can help implement them.
Q: What if we want to train them in advanced soil analysis ourselves?
A: That's great! The foundation provides a strong base. You can build on it with your own training, and they may eventually qualify for our advanced training track (future program).
Q: Will apprentices be certified in food safety?
A: Yes! All apprentices receive FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and Produce Safety Rule (PSR) training and certification. This is integrated throughout the curriculum, not just a standalone course.
Q: How does regenerative farming align with FSMA requirements?
A: Very well! Regenerative practices like proper compost management, water quality monitoring, and soil health all support food safety. Our curriculum teaches apprentices how to implement regenerative practices that meet or exceed FSMA standards.
Q: What food safety documentation will apprentices learn?
A: Apprentices learn to maintain all required FSMA records including water quality test logs, compost application records, harvest logs, worker training documentation, and corrective action reports.