As the U.S. farming population ages, the need for new generations of farmers has never been more critical. These up-and-coming farmers have a unique opportunity to reshape agricultural practices, advancing toward environmentally sustainable, equitable farms and food systems. Pasa Sustainable Agriculture is helping them pave the way.

Lindsay McKee, manager of Pasa’s Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship Program, stresses the importance of fostering new farming talent. “Who’s going to feed us?” she asks. “Farmland is disappearing, and what land is available is often too expensive for new and beginner farmers to access. There are so many first-generation farmers interested in feeding their communities—that means no family farm to take over. They need education, experience, access to capital and a community support system to succeed.”

Based in Harrisburg, Pasa is a nonprofit that uses farmer-driven education and research to support environmentally sound farming practices and socially just food systems. Their apprenticeship programs offer peer-to-peer learning opportunities for aspiring, beginner and experienced farmers interested in regenerative land management, natural resource protection and community building.

The 18-month Diversified Vegetable Apprenticeship, registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor, spans two growing seasons. Apprentices gain more than 3,000 hours of hands-on training, alongside 300 hours of technical coursework. They work closely with mentor farmers, learning all aspects of farm management, from crop planning and soil health to  irrigation and pest control.

“Thinking about your farm as a whole system is an important approach to sustainable agriculture. As an organization, Pasa encourages our new and beginner farmers, and all farmers, to think about how their practices will impact the health of their land, their businesses, their communities and future generations,” notes McKee.

Farming isn’t just about planting and harvesting—it also involves marketing, product distribution, equipment maintenance and business management. As apprentices gain skills in these areas, they receive a progressive wage that increases with their experience.

Brittney Pheobus, an apprentice at Raven Rock Forest Farm, considers herself a “farmer once removed.” Her grandmother grew up on a family farm in Maryland, but after marrying, she left the farm, which has since been developed into a residential neighborhood. When Pheobus and her partner decided to farm, it took some time to find affordable land. Now settled in the Maryland mountains, Pheobus feels connected to her family’s farming roots.

Pheobus had researched various farming and food production styles and found Pasa’s work-and-learn apprenticeship model appealing. It allowed her to earn an income while learning on the job from experienced farmers in her region, making it more attainable.

Farming can be lonely, isolating work, and Pheobus found it helpful to connect to small-scale, local farmers she met through her Pasa apprenticeship and the larger Pasa farming network. 

“I was able to work alongside farmers that were practicing no-till growing at a scale that I felt was achievable for me, while still producing a large amount of wholesome food for their local community. I formed close relationships with these farmers, who shared not only their farming knowledge and experience but also their community of other supportive farmers in the area,” Pheobus relays.

Through her apprenticeship, Pheobus learned how to troubleshoot irrigation problems, how to pivot when a crop plan doesn’t work out, and how a farmer’s career revolves around a lifetime of learning and improving.

Mentorship: A Two-Way Street

Farmer mentors also gain from the apprenticeship program. They benefit from prequalified apprentices eager to learn and contribute to the farm. Mentors must have at least five years of farm management experience, a commitment to sustainable practices and a willingness to support apprentices.

“Our mentor farmers get access to a pool of driven and committed potential employees who come with at least a year of experience. We offer annual trainings for them on topics like communication, employee management, balancing training and production. They become an integral part of the Pasa community,” McKee explains.

Jennifer Glenister, owner of New Morning Farm, a longtime organic farm, has seen firsthand how Pasa’s apprenticeship program has benefitted her farm. She recalls apprenticing at New Morning Farm herself through the Pasa program and working with the Crawfords, the previous owners. After purchasing the farm, Glenister chose to pay it forward by continuing the tradition of mentoring apprentices.

“Participating in the Pasa apprenticeship is win-win,” says Glenister. “Our apprentices get more education, support, and a broad cohort and network. As a mentor, I get support, training, help in training apprentices—especially on the ‘book work’—and great apprentice candidates.”

Glenister cites Pasa’s talented apprentices as key to her farm’s success over the last five seasons. She also values Pasa’s pre-apprenticeship program, which gives people of all ages a chance to explore farming before committing to the full apprenticeship.

Expanding Opportunities for Aspiring Farmers

For those interested in pastured dairy farming, Pasa’s Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship offers guidance on managing or starting a dairy farm. Founded in 2010 by Wisconsin dairy farmers, it’s the nation’s first registered farming apprenticeship program and has since expanded to several states, including Pennsylvania.

The Diversified Vegetable Pre-Apprenticeship helps individuals with no farming background develop skills and experience to move into the full apprenticeship program. Pasa partners with area nonprofits like Truelove Seeds, The LEAF Project, Grow Pittsburgh, Crop & Kettle and the Ross Student Farm at Penn State to provide opportunities through the pre-apprenticeship.

Pasa’s year-round efforts include farmer-driven education events, food systems equity work, policy reform, climate-smart practices, and soil and financial benchmark studies. Their annual conference is a cornerstone of these initiatives.

This year’s conference will be held February 5 through 7, 2025, in Lancaster, featuring speakers like Jaime Elizondo, from Real Wealth Ranching, and Dr. Lyla June Johnston, an Indigenous musician, scholar and community organizer. The conference will include more than 80 educational sessions covering agroforestry, soil health, market gardening, holistic grazing and more, alongside networking opportunities and a trade show highlighting the latest in agricultural products and services.

Pasa Sustainable Agriculture is located at 1631 N. Front St., in Harrisburg, and at 5300 Whitby Ave., in Philadelphia. For more information, call 814-349-9856 or visit PasaFarming.org.