About the Farm
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John and Becky Doherty purchased what is now Stonepost Farms in 2016 and have been busily expanding their farm business since. They raise an impressive assortment of livestock, including chickens, laying hens, pigs, cows, turkeys, and the tiniest of them all – honeybees. They also grow veggies for markets and a CSA program. It’s a happening place! John and Becky are continually seeking ways to integrate the inspiration they take from the regenerative farming movement and put it into practice on their farm. People they follow include Allan Savory, Gabe Brown, Joel Salatin, Jean-Martin Fortier, and Elliot Coleman, among others.
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About the Apprenticeship
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Stonepost Farms consists of John, Becky and their two young children – Cadence and Keagan. It is a busy and diverse operation which serves surrounding communities high quality food. This apprenticeship will teach skills in direct marketing diverse food products via farmers markets and a CSA program. On the farm, this includes all aspects of gardening, such as starting plants, garden prep, transplanting, weeding, watering, pruning, and harvesting, both in the field and the greenhouse. The apprentice will learn about the care and management required for the various livestock living at Stonepost Farms, which will include spring calving, rotational grazing of cows, putting pigs out to pasture, moving chicken tractors, honeybee hive checks and honey extraction, animal processing, haymaking, and of course, all the troubleshooting that goes hand-in-hand with farming! The apprentice will be helping with all farm chores, but activities can be tailored to the apprentice’s interests.
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As part of the apprenticeship, you will meet with other apprentices across Alberta who are part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship program. Field days, learning opportunities and potlucks will be planned with this group at each host’s farm. You will also be invited to attend the 2023 Organic Alberta Conference.
