PROGRAMS AT GROW

APPRENTICESHIP

Each season Grow: Johnson County hosts 2-4 on farm apprentices. Apprentices have the opportunity to learn and work on our vegetable farm. Over the course of the growing season, apprentices learn on-the-job about organic vegetable production, on-farm food safety strategies, produce handling and storage, land-based education, and community food security. Apprentices gain experience in volunteer coordination, community partnerships and engagement, non-profit work environments, and on-farm record-keeping.

CAN YOU DIG IT

Grow Johnson County’s Can You Dig It? program is a farm and garden experience designed for youth and teen groups who are eager to connect with food and community. It is a three part program where youth can come to Grow: Johnson County to work alongside apprentices and staff on our veggie farm.

The Can You Dig It? program builds on Iowa Valley RC&D’s 12 years of work in farm-to-school efforts, which have resulted in collaborative work around the Iowa and include our Farm to School Toolkit, an online-based Farm to Classroom Resource Portal, annual crop planning workshops for farmers, and procurement for School Food Directors.

To learn more about the Can You Dig It Program, click the button below.

  • "Representation matters and the idea of me being able to show other women, other younger girls, especially young black girls, how versatile and beautiful farming is has become a pivotal point in my agricultural journey. I definitely gained a lot of confidence during my experience as an apprentice [at Grow]."

    Amiya Jones | 2022 Apprentice

  • "My summer as a Grow apprentice taught me all the basics about growing vegetables organically. More than that, it connected me to a community of people dedicated to justice in our local food system. I came away with the confidence and courage to pursue sustainable farming as a career and a calling."

    Mari Hunt Wassink | 2021 Apprentice

  • "Being an apprentice was a wonderful experience for me, and affirmed my interest working in sustainable agriculture."

    Aluna-Aro Olaniyi | 2021 Apprentice

  • The experience not only taught me about the practical aspects of growing food (from seed to harvest), but also the overwhelmingly positive social impacts that growing food can have on the local community. I would recommend the apprenticeship to anyone that has a passion for creating a more sustainable and equitable food system.

    Josh Ventling | 2021 Apprentice

  • "[Grow has] an amazing team willing and eager to ... teach you all they know about farming, food justice, food safety, and working in a non profit environment. I would highly recommend the Grow apprenticeship to anyone thinking of pursuing a career in agriculture."

    Sarah Nelson | 2022 Apprentice