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Agricultural Teaching Apprentice - Local Food Heroes Program

Learn from Lead Farmer & Support Veteran Education Classes

  • Position: 35-Week Part-Time
  • Time: $50/hour
  • Location: Glen Gardner, NJ

The Opportunity

Join us as Agricultural Teaching Apprentice to work directly with our Lead Farmer during the week, gaining hands-on experience in intensive market garden techniques, then apply your learning by helping facilitate formal education classes for veteran participants. You’ll serve as the bridge between advanced agricultural practice and accessible veteran education.

This part-time role offers intensive agricultural learning through direct mentorship while developing teaching skills by supporting veteran participants during their formal education sessions.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Farm Work with Lead Farmer (15 hours/week)

  • Assist with formal education classes for veteran participants
  • Help translate technical farming concepts into accessible instruction for veterans
  • Support Lead Farmer during demonstrations and hands-on learning sessions
  • Serve as peer-level mentor and communication bridge for veteran learners
  • Help facilitate group learning activities and skill-building workshops
  • Assist with class logistics, materials preparation, and participant support
Required Qualifications

Agricultural Interest & Work Ethic

  • Strong interest in learning intensive regenerative agriculture methods
  • Physical capability for outdoor agricultural work in various weather conditions
  • Willingness to engage in all aspects of farm work from soil preparation to harvest
  • Ability to work independently and follow agricultural guidance from Lead Farmer
  • Genuine enthusiasm for hands-on learning and skill development

Communication & Teaching Aptitude

  • Excellent communication skills for working with veteran participants
  • Natural ability to explain concepts clearly and patiently
  • Cultural sensitivity and respect when working with veteran populations
  • Interest in developing teaching and facilitation skills
  • Collaborative approach to supporting adult learners

Personal Qualities

  • Strong work ethic and reliability in attendance
  • Professional attitude and positive demeanor in educational settings
  • Flexibility and adaptability in managing farm work and class support
  • Commitment to supporting veteran success in agricultural learning
  • Interest in developing both farming expertise and educational abilities
  • Basic agricultural, gardening, or farming experience
  • Previous teaching, tutoring, or mentoring experience
  • Background working with veterans or military populations
  • Experience with adult education or training programs
  • Knowledge of regenerative agriculture or sustainable farming practices
  • Interest in pursuing agricultural careers or agricultural education

Compensation

  • Hourly Rate: $50 per hour
  • Total Hours: 23 hours per week (15 farm work + 8 education support)
  • Contract Duration: 35 weeks (First Monday of March 2026 through Last week of October 2026)
  • Total Contract Value: $40,250 for complete contract period
  • Payment Schedule: Bi-weekly payments
  • Employment Type: Part-time W-2 employee
  • Benefits: No benefits package – part-time hourly position only

Work Schedule

  • Farm Work: 15 hours per week working directly with Lead Farmer
  • Education Support: 8 hours per week assisting with veteran education classes
  • Schedule Flexibility: Hours scheduled around farm needs and class schedules
  • Attendance Requirement: Reliable attendance expected for both farm work and education classes

Work Location

  • Primary Site: Veterans Haven North, Glen Gardner, NJ
  • Farm Work: Demonstration garden and market garden areas
  • Education Classes: Indoor and outdoor classroom settings
  • Equipment: Tools and materials provided by Tye’s House

This position is funded through the Northeast SARE Farming Community Grant. Employee agrees to:

  • Comply with SARE grant requirements and reporting obligations
  • Maintain accurate records as required for grant reporting
  • Cooperate with grant-related site visits or evaluations
  • Support program objectives and veteran education goals

Work Commitment

  • Consistent attendance for scheduled work hours
  • Flexibility for seasonal intensive periods
  • Participation in training workshops and educational opportunities
  • Contribution to farmers market sales and community outreach

Program Participation

  • Active engagement in learning opportunities
  • Regular communication with supervisors and mentors
  • Documentation of learning progress and goal achievement
  • Willingness to share experiences for program evaluation and improvement

You'll be evaluated based on:

  • Farm Work Quality: Reliable participation in market garden operations under Lead Farmer supervision
  • Learning Progress: Demonstrated growth in agricultural knowledge and farming skills
  • Education Support: Effective assistance during veteran education classes and demonstrations
  • Veteran Engagement: Positive support for veteran participants during learning activities
  • Professional Development: Progress in developing both farming expertise and teaching abilities
  • Program Contribution: Overall contribution to veteran education success and program goals

Agricultural Expertise

  • Comprehensive knowledge of intensive market garden techniques and management
  • Understanding of regenerative agriculture practices and soil health management
  • Experience with crop planning, succession planting, and seasonal farm operations
  • Skills in equipment operation, irrigation systems, and post-harvest handling
  • Knowledge of business aspects of small-scale farming operations

Educational & Communication Skills

  • Ability to translate complex agricultural concepts for diverse learners
  • Experience facilitating hands-on agricultural education sessions
  • Skills in supporting adult learners with varied backgrounds and experience levels
  • Development of teaching and demonstration techniques
  • Understanding of veteran-specific learning needs and communication approaches
  • Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions for extended periods
  • Physical capacity for planting, weeding, harvesting, and lifting up to 50 lbs
  • Comfortable with repetitive motions and extended periods of standing/kneeling
  • Ability to operate small farm equipment and hand tools safely
  • Stamina for both farm work and education class facilitation

Skill Building

  • Intensive training in market garden methods and regenerative agriculture
  • Development of agricultural education and training skills
  • Experience with grant-funded educational programming
  • Professional networking with agricultural and veteran service organizations
  • Foundation for advanced agricultural education or careers

Career Pathways

Upon completion, apprentices are prepared for:

  • Agricultural Education Coordinator positions
  • Farm Manager roles with veteran-focused organizations
  • Extension Agent or agricultural outreach positions
  • Lead Farmer positions with expanded responsibilities
  • Independent agricultural consulting or farm ownership
  • Advanced degree programs in agricultural education or farm management
  • Contract Duration: 35-week part-time employment agreement
  • Termination: Either party may terminate with 30 days written notice
  • Final Payment: Compensation due through last day of work
  • Grant Obligations: Reporting obligations continue through contract end date
  • Equipment: All tools and materials remain property of Tye’s House

Application Process:

  1. Submit application materials through our online portal
  2. Phone interview focusing on agricultural interest and communication skills
  3. On-site interview including garden tour and education class observation
  4. Meet with Lead Farmer and program staff
  5. Reference checks and final selection

Required Materials:

  1. Cover Letter: Describe your interest in agricultural learning and supporting veteran education
  2. Resume: Highlighting any agricultural, teaching, or relevant work experience
  3. References: Three professional references including supervisors, educators, or mentors
  4. Portfolio: Examples of agricultural work, teaching, mentoring, or educational projects (optional)

Application Form


Our Partners

Our program is strengthened by collaborations with established agricultural organizations and service providers:

Questions About This Position?

  • We welcome questions about the farm work, education support role, working with our Lead Farmer, or any other aspects of this part-time position.

Ready to Learn and Grow?

Join us in gaining intensive market garden expertise while reinforcing your own learning by sharing discoveries with veteran participants. Develop both farming skills and communication abilities in this supportive apprenticeship opportunity.

Equal Opportunity Employer – Local Food Heroes seeks candidates who share our commitment to regenerative agriculture, veteran empowerment, and developing agricultural knowledge through hands-on learning in a collaborative environment.
Join the Local Food Heroes Team

This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, through the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program under subaward number CNE25-001.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.