About the Farm
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Harmonys Way Family Farm is a multi-generational family farm located in the pristine Peace River region of northern Alberta, Canada. It has been in operation since 1985, and holistic management and permaculture techniques guide practices on the farm. The King family is moving toward the farm being the sole occupation for all people involved. They raise and produce all-natural grass-fed beef and lamb, pasture/forest raised pork, free-range eggs, raw sauerkrauts, kombucha and handcrafted milk and soaps for direct-to-consumer sales.
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They process all their meat on-farm in a provincially inspected processing facility. They are also developing an agri-tourism enterprise of giving horse-drawn wagon ride tours of the farm.
//About the Apprenticeship
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The apprentice will be a part of the seasonal fluctuations on the farm. Spring brings lambing, calving, and farrowing. Plus, baby chicks arrive on the farm. Moving animals from their winter areas out to pasture starts the beginning of May. June through November, cattle are moved regularly on pasture. Depending on the length of the apprenticeship, the apprentice may be on the farm for weaning and preg-testing in November. Depending on weather and snow conditions, feeding hay could start anywhere between November to the new year, continuing until April or May. Spring, summer and autumn are very busy times with winter tending to slow down.//
Some of the activities the apprentice will engage in include raising pullets for the egg laying operation, tending the laying flock, raising meat chickens, calving (cows), lambing (sheep), and farrowing (pigs), branding, rotational grazing planning, implementation and observing, farm mechanics, and homestead gardening.
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There is an opportunity for the apprentice to develop a farm enterprise, with guidance from the Kings. A couple options for this enterprise include: expanding the laying flock and/or meat bird operation, expanding the garden for vegetable sales.
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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 2022 Organic Alberta Conference.
Farm website: https://harmonyswayfamilyfarm.com/
