Sustainable Agriculture Apprenticeship

---

As the ACES education team looks forward to the summer season, we are dreaming about a summer filled with explorations, learning and fun. Some of the most meaningful learning experiences that ACES provides involve young high school apprentices who work and learn at the ranch over their summer vacation!

Last summer Rock Bottom Ranch was lucky to have a dedicated young woman who not only fulfilled her Sustainable Agriculture Apprenticeship requirements, but also stayed on to volunteer throughout the summer! From leading wonderful ranch tours to helping with the hands-on construction of our new chicken tractor, Abby Springfield was a wonderful addition to the ranch staff. Abby had the following to say about her summer at Rock Bottom Ranch:

“Before coming to the ranch, my experiences with real agriculture had been purely textbook. I have pigs, chickens and my heifer, but they don’t involve any real-world meat production. My animals gave me experience in handling and my classes knowledge of the field, but I was excited to apply my knowledge to the work at Rock Bottom Ranch.”

“Some of the most memorable experiences I gained this summer include trimming goat hooves, helping with piglet delivery, helping to put together the new chicken tractor, seeing the farm to table dinner come to life, giving farm tours, finding lost sheep, and getting to know the incredible staff at Rock Bottom Ranch! I’m so grateful to ACES at Rock Bottom Ranch for allowing me to help out and learn this summer.”

Abby Springfield		Abby leading a Farm Tour	Abby painted while she was at the Ranch!

Thank you Abby for joining our team last summer and for all of your hard work! ACES is currently accepting applications for the summer 2014 apprentice program. If you know of a talented high school student interested in environmental education or sustainable agriculture, please let them know about this wonderful summer opportunity.

~ Chris Cohen, RBR Programs Coordinator