With the average age of farmers and ranchers in the US approaching 60, it’s becoming increasingly important for young people with aspirations of working the land to find places to enhance their skills and knowledge. The Quivira Coalition is a Santa Fe-based nonprofit that builds resilience on arid working lands and fosters ecological, economic, and social health through education, innovation, and collaboration. The New Agrarian Program is an apprenticeship designed for first-career young people who are committed to learning from experts about regenerative agriculture.
The program pairs apprentices with ranch owners who provide mentoring, housing, and a stipend for eight months while the apprentices work on the ranches located in several Western states. It’s an immersive, hands-on experience intended for young professionals who plan to pursue careers in farming and ranching on their own or in their family operations, or as ranch managers, professionals with government agencies delivering services to farms and ranches, or other production-related positions.
Applications for next year’s program will be available on the Quivira website in November.
The organization is also seeking ranchers who desire to mentor the next generation of regenerative agriculture practitioners. Information about qualifications and requirements for the mentorship program is also on the Quivira website.