YA Apprenticeship - Sylvan Lake Farms

ABOUT SYLVAN LAKE FARMS Sylvan Lake Farms is located near Henribourg, SK– Treaty 6 Territory // Sylvan Lake Farms is a certified organic grain farm that uses crop rotation, cover crops, multi-year forage crops and is working on reducing tillage. They are also working on plans to implement livestock to improve nutrient cycling on the farm. // Colin and Andrea are both first generation and fourth generation farmers. Colin’s great-grandfather farmed, but the next two generations didn’t. They restarted the family farm and it has been incredibly difficult to do so, but the support from others has been incredibly valuable. Many farmers are close to retirement and do not have succession plans. Colin and Andrea can see that new farmers are needed to help take on these farms. // All of the land they farm currently is certified organic, although they take on land at times that has to be transitioned. They grow yellow flax, oats, Red Fife wheat, peas, hemp and alfalfa. In addition to organic grain farming, Andrea also started developing a small cut flower business last year. // About the apprenticeship: // The farm includes mostly small grains production, so an apprentice would be doing machinery maintenance, repairs and operating all types of equipment, tractors pulling tillage and seeding equipment, swathers, combines and potentially grain trucks. // They are looking at adding their first livestock into the operation in 2022, so there could be work with cattle and or chickens in a managed grazing system, fence building and repairs. // There would also be work with the cut flowers and vegetables in the garden. // As part of the apprenticeship, you will meet with other apprentices across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta who are part of the Young Agrarians Apprenticeship program. Field days, learning opportunities and potlucks will be planned with the Manitoba group at each hosts farm. You will also be invited to attend a regenerative or organic food conference during or following the apprenticeship. Colin, Andrea and their family also likes to spend time during the summer at the lake.