APPRENTICESHIP DESCRIPTION
​5 spots available by application only (January-October 2023)
Please note that in addition to your application we may need your resume and a minimum of 3 references! 
Gain the practical knowledge and skills of permaculture design with a focus on regenerative and sustainable local and international development, as well as design and consulting services, entrepreneurship, community building and regenerative farming.
Join us for 3 to 12 months on our 70 acres and growing farm and land. Besides weekly learning by doing schedule, you will also be able to get your permaculture and deep dive permaculture design certification, by joining one of our courses during your stay, or going through the process at your own pace! Curriculum of the courses and the apprenticeship program is based on Bill Mollison’s Permaculture Designers’ Manual, Toby Hemenway's Permaculture City, Richard Perkins' Regenerative Agriculture and Allan Savory's Holistic Management framework. 
Engage with, improve and create permaculture systems on the farm with regenerative design approaches, under the tutelage of professional permaculture designers and farmers.
Learn how you can transform landscapes and communities in different climate zones and cultures of the world into regenerative and sustainable ecological oasis that: harvest and conserve water and energy, produce food and medicine, regenerate biodiversity, educate and gather the community, bringing beauty and joy to life.
​Experience farm design, development and management regular activities, as well as interactive lecture style presentations, design practice and lots of hands-on activities on 67 acres of land with a community of like minded people.
A LOOK AT THE LEARNING EXPERIENCES WE CREATE
APPRENTICESHIP DETAILS
This apprenticeship is designed to provide you with a well rounded experience in the realm on permaculture and regenerative agriculture design and practice. You will live, work and interact with an active permaculture community and productive farm. This apprenticeship is reserved for 5 individuals that are great self-starters, appreciate higher learning and hard work, can work within and with a community, take charge of projects and accept guidance. This apprenticeship is for individuals that are planning to start their own successful permaculture homestead or farm, or join a community that is doing it already. This is the training conducive to that direction!
In this Apprenticeship you will learn about the designing, planning, building and managing of almost all of our farm's operations. You will be working and learning with us, our farm managers and our team of graduates. You will be learning about all the parts of our farm operations, including our educational and community engagement programs, and you can choose where to guide your focused attention.
​You will be learning by working with:
  • the farm's kitchen and market gardens 
  • the farm's plant nursery
  • the farm's key line and alley cropped orchards and food forests
  • the farm's regenerative animal operations (chickens, pigs, goats and upcoming sheep and cows)
  • the farm's natural materials cabins and other buildings for animals and people (cob, wood, rock, etc)
  • the farm's first earthworks, such as bioswales, and several ponds
  • the farm's composting and soil building operations
  • the farm's apiary and multiple beehives and pollinator hotels (we have a master beekeeper in house)
  • the farm's mushroom cultivation operations
  • the farm's medicinal herbs operations (we have a master herbalist in house)
  • our farmers market, CSA and online selling operations
  • our permaculture landscape design and implementation operations
  • our permaculture and related educational programs
  • our sociocratic community 
The depth of engagement with the different systems and operations on the farm, depends on the time of your arrival and departure!
COMMITMENTS:
  • Apprentices can start on the first day of January, April, July or October  and must commit to a minimum of 3 months.  
  • Apprentices will commit to and dedicate 20 hours of farm work per week, for a minimum of 3 months. 
  • Apprentices will go through one of our Intensive or Deep Dive Permaculture Design Certification Courses and graduate. The cost of the course is included in this apprenticeship. You can choose from the 2 weeks intensive (June) or the monthly advanced hybrid (April-October), or self-paced on farm during your stay. 
  • A formal agreement on living arrangements, responsibilities and expectations will be provided for signing to those accepted in the program. 
APPRENTICESHIP SCHEDULE
As part of the 20 hours / week commitment, apprentices will participate in:
  • all the existing and developing routine farm tasks (2 to 3 hours / day) (5 days a week) - routine tasks will include feeding and moving animals in the morning, mid-day and evening, as well as eggs and milk collection; nursery plant propagation and maintenance; compost piles and compost teas management; market garden and orchards planting, weeding, fertilizing, trellising, harvesting, row making; farm record keeping & data entry; ecosystem and farm elements health observations; food preservation; and herbal medicine making
  • all of the weekly design and planning team meetings (1 to 2 hours / week)
  • all team learning debriefs and reflections (1 to 2 hours / week)
  • preparing 1 meal / week for the entire farm community 
  • any and all major farm tasks in need of all hands on deck
  • running the farmers market, on farm produce sales, and food bank deliveries 
Important to know:
  • Apprentices can participate in more farm work activities beyond the 20 hours / week if they desire. All additional activities must be first discussed with and approved by the farm team. 
  • ​Apprentices will not be required to do any farm work during the courses they take on site, unless they desire to. All additional activities must be first discussed with and approved by the farm team. 
  • Apprentices will have 2 days off / week. Those days will be arranged before arrival!
  • Apprentices will self organize and take turns to cook meals for the farm community on a regular. 
  • Apprentices will have access to a large library and design studio to study and work on research, planning and design projects in. 
  • Apprentices will be invited to participate in regular and various community events on the farm.
COURSE LOCATION & ACCOMODATIONS
Driving & Flying
  • Our 70+ acres Midwest farm is located in a semi-remote area, between Lake of the Ozarks and Bennet Springs, in the vicinity of the City of Lebanon, Missouri. This area has some of the best temperate climate nature attractions in the continental US, forest trails, rivers and lakes. Springfield, fun college town with large Airport, is 1 hour away, Kansas City is 3 hours away and St Louis is 2.5 hours, driving time.  We can pick up and drop off apprentices at the Springfield Airport! 
  • There is ample parking on the farm!  
Lodging & Food
  • Apprentices will have their own private bedroom on site. The private room can be a single room cabin, a room in a multi rooms cabin, a lotus or bell tent. The room will have a bed with new sheets, pillows and blankets. Other useful "stuff" may be in the room also.  Each apprentice will be responsible to keep their room clean and sheets washed.
  • Apprentices are responsible to bring farm work appropriate clothing that must include a pair of closed toe shoes and any other accessories to make their apprenticeship experience pleasant. 
  • We do offer the opportunity for participants to bring their campers, RV's or RV trailers. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE WHO PLAN TO BRING THESE VEHICLES TO COMMUNICATE WITH US IN ADVANCE. 
  • Apprentices will have access to a communal kitchen, 2 outdoor showers, 2 composting toilets (that will also have to be managed communally), a library and a design studio.
  • Food produced on the farm and sustainably procured will be stored in the communal kitchen on a regular and the apprentices will be responsible to self organize for cooking meals. DURING THE PERMACULTURE COURSES HELD ON SITE, THE APPRENTICES WILL PARTAKE IN  THE MEALS PREPARED FOR THE COURSE PARTICIPANTS. 
Self-Care
  • ADDITIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY PRACTICES TO ADDRESS ANY "OFFICIALLY" STATED EMERGENCIES WILL BE IN PLACE (as always, we will practice frequent and regular hands washing and health check ins. In addition we will recommend and practice PHYSICAL distancing to the best of our abilities, as well as offering the choice for people to wear or not wear masks. If you require for other people to wear or not wear a mask, please do not register for this apprenticeship!)
  • We have 2 solar heated showers on the farm and 2 compostable toilets with washing stations. Participants are responsible for their own self-care and WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND WASHING HANDS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. A list with recommended items to bring for self-care will be e-mailed 30 DAYS prior to the beginning of the program. 
  • WE REQUIRE EVERY PARTICIPANT TO BRING AT LEAST 1 REUSABLE BOTTLE FOR WATER AND OTHER LIQUIDS. We provide multiple drinking water stations on the farm. 
  • FOR BEST APPRENTICESHIP EXPERIENCE, THE FARM IS A "DRY CAMPUS" (meaning no alcohol or recreational drugs). WE INVITE ALL PARTICIPANTS TO BE CLEAR MINDED ALL DAY EVERY DAY, EVEN DURING YOUR DAYS OFF! SOME CELEBRATORY AND RITUALISTIC CONSUMPTION OF ABOVE MENTIONED MOOD CHANGERS MAY BE OKAY WITH PRIOR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE FARM COMMUNITY. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH PARTICIPANT TO COMMUNICATE WITH US ABOUT ANY CONDITION THEY MAY HAVE THAT REQUIRE MEDICATION, AND WE WILL FIND WAYS HOW THAT CAN BE DONE DURING THE APPRENTICESHIP ON THE FARM.
More about driving, lodging, self care and other details will be communicated before the beginning of your committed time via email!
APPRENTICESHIP PERKS
A big aim of our programs is to build community and long lasting relationships! All graduates have access to:
  • multiple opportunities for free and very low cost continuation of learning (both regular meetings online and in-person projects)
  • a larger community of graduates who always have projects to be engaged in and are willing to support any and all new grads
  • heavy discounts to all future courses, trainings and workshops offered by About And For Sustainability
  • 5 hours of 1-on-1 project and/or business mentorship & consulting after the apprenticeship with Lucian and/or Anna Maria
  • opportunities to partner with or be part of the About And For Sustainability team
  • 1 free week of camping for your party of up to 10 people on one of our farms 
  • pre-launch access to our eco-village lot sales
APPRENTICESHIP MENTORS 
Lucian Toma ​
  • Lucian is a sustainability, leadership and permaculture designer, educator and consultant with over 9 years of professional experience in the design, development and implementation of regenerative programs and projects in academic, government, business and nonprofit environments.
  • He led over 250 workshops, lectures and courses on topics from the realms of sustainability, permaculture and regenerative leadership, touching the lives of over 6500 individuals of all ages. He led 10 Permaculture Design Courses, with a focus on both urban and rural solutions.
  • As a permaculture practitioner he designed  and installed over 50 small, medium and large private and public spaces in most major climate zones. 
  • Lucian is also a college professor, the co-founder of reEarth Consulting and Bloom Farms (Desert Bloom and Sun And Bloom), as well as the founder and master mind behind About And For Sustainability . 
  • He holds a BA in International Relations, a MA in Global Leadership and Sustainable Development from Hawaii Pacific University and multiple Permaculture Design certifications. Currently he is working on certifications in Holistic Management and Regenerative Agriculture, and starting a Phd in Soil Sciences. 
​Anna Maria Desipris 
  • ​Anna Maria is a bee guardian, herbalist, farmer, permaculture consultant and educator with 10 years of professional experience in the realm of sustainability, beekeeping, urban farming and community building around the farm to table movement.
  • She has been rescuing and relocating beehives to safe locations since 2011 and now shares with others this craft in her Bee Guardian Apprenticeship. She has also spent many years in work around local food systems, gathering over 1000 key individuals around community tables and supporting local regenerative farmers and chefs.
  • As an educator she has led over 100 workshops, lectures and courses on topics from the realms of beekeeping, urban farming and regenerative food systems.
  • As a farmer she has been a key designer, planner and manager of multiple neighborhood farms and farming based educational spaces in Reno, Nevada and Orange County, California. 
  • Anna Maria is also a college professor, the founder of The Honey Bee Hub, Bee Botanicals and co-founder of Bloom Farms (Desert Bloom and Sun And Bloom).
  • She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Reno and an array of certifications in Permaculture, Master Beekeeping and Herbalism. ​
Our Farm Managers, Graduates of our Programs and Local Permaculture practitioners
  • Resumes will be announced soon 
APPRENTICESHIP COSTS & REGISTRATION​
APPLICATION FOR JANUARY CLOSES ON November 1st,  2022
  • IF YOUR APPLICATION IS APPROVED, A $1,000 deposit must be paid to TO SECURE YOUR SPOT BY December 1ST 2022 - WE WILL SEND YOU AN AGREEMENT TO SIGN AND INVOICE(S) TO PAY ​
  • Full cost must be paid before your first day, unless otherwise arranged with the apprenticeship coordinators.
  • Please read refund policies below on this page. 
  • ​COST INCLUDES: LODGING, FOOD, TRAINING & MENTORSHIP + A FULL CERTIFICATION COURSE 
21 years of age or older
  • $1,000 / Month 
18 to 21 years of age 
  • $800 / Month 
​Groups of two or more receive discounts! Pay for one individual and e-mail us to arrange for the discounts!

We provide payment plans and scholarships for those that need them!
  • Payment plans - we offer payment plans - full course cost must be paid in full before your first day.
  • Scholarships - we offer one $1000, one $2000 and one full 3 months apprenticeship scholarship
  • All payment plans and scholarships apply to the full apprenticeship cost 
CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
info@aboutandforsustainability.com
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
How your payment will be used:
  • ​A portion of your payment will be used to sponsor scholarships for individuals, who would otherwise not afford it, and who will positively impact our shared environment and community with the knowledge and skills gained in this course.
  • A portion of your payment will support the work of our instructors and the development of the Bloom Farms, and other eco-educational hubs around the world.
VIDEO, PICTURES, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, CANCELLATION & REFUND AGREEMENTS:
  • We will be using farming tools, and on occasion we will be working on slopes and uneven terrains. Safety will be priority number 1 and we ask that you follow the farm leaders directions at all times. You can choose not to participate in some of the activities and observe only.
  • AS LONG AS YOU NOTIFY US VIA EMAIL AT LEAST 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE APPRENTICESHIP, WE WILL REFUND THE AMOUNT WE RECEIVED FROM YOU TO THAT DATE, MINUS A $500 PROCESSING FEE. Alternatively we can credit the full amount towards a future offering on our farm.  If you notify us of your need to cancel within 60 days of the apprenticeship commencement, your payment is not refundable. 
  • Some filming and picture taking will occur throughout the apprenticeship. By registering (after your application has been approved) to participate in this apprenticeship you agree to our "Video, Pictures, Release of Liability  and Cancellation Agreement" found in the application and registration forms and provided for signing when you arrive and check-in at our location on the first day of the apprenticeship in 2021!
SEE SOME OF OUR INSTRUCTORS' WORK
LUCIAN
ANNA MARIA
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