Iowa
Working Iowa: Apprentices get farm experience with Grow Johnson County
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) -Apprentices are getting hands-on experience with sustainable farming through Grow Johnson County.
The work isn’t easy but the mission is worth it.
”All the food we grow goes to local food pantries and organizations that get the food to people who need it,” said Jonah Eisen, an apprentice.
Grow Johnson County works to make sure people have access to healthy food. Each summer apprentices work part-time while gaining a full experience on the farm.
”Most of the farmers that are entering agriculture today are coming from non-farm backgrounds so we wanted to provide a training opportunity for new entry new people,” Jason Grimm explained, Executive Director at Iowa Valley RC&D.
The program is already underway this summer but applications for next summer will open up in February. In the meantime, people who are interested are invited to volunteer this summer to see what it’s all about.
Apprentices come from a variety of backgrounds, some are current students and others have graduated and are continuing to build their experience.
“With a sustainability sciences major I think that it’s going to help me with hands-on experience. I’ve only been in the classroom before so I’m really excited to just learn through actions,” Liz Gaar explained, an apprentice.
It’s a chance to be part of something that helps feed the community.
“17 agencies will receive about 40,000 pounds worth of product we’ll grow this year,” said Grimm.
It’s an opportunity to give back by providing healthy foods.
“I think I just like the idea of more healthy food culture. I don’t know there’s a big dominance in ultra-processed highly capitalistic marketed trash that people like to eat and this is the opposite of that,” Eisen explained.
By taking part, apprentices are able to grow in more ways than one.
“It’s really fun. It’s hard work and I know it’s going to get hotter outside, but I’m learning a lot,” said Gaar.
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