SpiritWorks Herb Farm 

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Seasonal Apprenticeship Program

Certified Organic Medicinal Herb Farm

Whitefish, Montana

 

SpiritWorks Herb Farm offers an experience aligned with nature’s rhythms and an opportunity to learn about the growth requirements and therapeutic uses of

medicinal herbs while building health and creating community.

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Before applying, learn about our farm by thoroughly exploring this website.

 

​Farm Management Apprentice

 

This apprenticeship offers multi-faceted farm and garden development, maintenance, and daily operations training. The farm manager apprentice will aid in all aspects of farm planning and operations, including responsibilities that ensure an abundant quality herb and produce harvest. Responsibilities will include soil conditioning, irrigation, herbal propagation, harvesting, and land management. Under the supervision and guidance of the Leadership Team, apprentices will develop managerial and leadership skills in this physically rigorous position.  While studying medicinal herbs, apprentices will  gain a wealth of farm and wellness knowledge, and participate in a community focused on health-building and positivity.

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Learning Goals – including but not limited to the following

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• Create a written plan with identified resources for meeting the goals of this apprenticeship approved by our Leadership Team and your academic institution (if applicable).

• Gain and utilize knowledge of growth, harvesting, and storage requirements of diverse plants (herbs & food crops)

• Develop a deep understanding of soil regenerative practices

• Become knowledgeable about all farm events and activities and become proficient with soil preparation, weeding, harvesting, food preparation and clean-up, poultry husbandry, egg collection, etc.

• Develop leadership abilities under the direction of the Leadership Team

• Identify best agricultural and soil regenerative practices through research

• Identify potential income streams that would diversify the income of your future farm and create an implementation plan with appropriate Leadership Team members that outlines how you would develop this aspect for your future farm​

• Identify references to serve as a resource for your future needs.

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Responsibilities – including but not limited to the following

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• Develop a self-guided curriculum with the Leadership Team and with the approval of their academic institution., if applicable

• Fully participate in a community focused on health-building and positivity

• Assist in timely planting, harvesting, and processing of herbs and produce

• Create a regenerative soil plan and implement it over a one month period, with analytics

• Complete individual coursework (e.g. Future Farmers or other agreed upon program)

• Participate fully in farm events and activities including, but not limited to, soil preparation, weeding, harvesting, food preparation and clean-up, poultry husbandry, egg collection, etc.

• Prepare and present a written and oral report weekly

  • best agricultural and soil management practices learned and develop a program for implementation of key elements

  • your plans for diversifying income streams on your future farm

• Create content for marketing on best farming practices and colloborate with appropriate Leadership Team member for implementation

• Provide hospitality support related to the farm stay retreat center, campground, and wellness programs under the direction of the Leadership Team

• Contribute to the organization and implementation of farmer’s market logistics

• Complete Legacy project with documentation of planning, progress and assessment

  • Contribute to the organization and implementation of farmer’s market logistics

  • Identify references to serve as a resource for your future needs.

  • Design and complete a Legacy Project. This could be:

  • designing, developing, and maintaining a designated area of the garden

  • the implementation of a particular farming practice

  • any project of your choosing approved by the Leadership Team (see the bottom of the page under JOIN OUR COMMUNITY for info on Legacy Projects)

• Prepare an annotated bibliography of references to serve as a resource for your future needs.

 

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Herb Processing Apprentice

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In this apprenticeship, participants will help grow, harvest, process, and store herbs while gaining hands-on farm experience in all aspects of the farm under the supervision of the Farm Manager. Appprentices may also elect to learn about the management of the Apothecary with the guidance of the Apothecary Manager and will be challenged physically and mentally to grow themselves.  While studying medicinal herbs, apprentices will  gain a wealth of farm and wellness knowledge, and participate in a community focused on health-building and positivity.

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Learning Goals – including but not limited to the following

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• Learn the best practices for growing, harvesting, processing and storing herbs for premium potency

• Learn the medicinal qualities of a minimum of one herb a week or an herb processing method

• Identify practices that compromise or enhance the quality of processed herbs and herbal products

• Become proficient with post-harvest processing, packaging, and storage of medicinal herbs 

• Research and identify key factors when making herbal products and combining herbs

• Become proficient with creating a tea, infused oil, tincture, salve, oxymel, etc

• Identify references to serve as a resource for your future needs.

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Responsibilities – including but not limited to the following

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• Fully participate in farm events and activities including, but not limited to, soil preparation, planting, weeding, harvesting, processing, food preparation, poultry husbandry, egg collection, etc.

• Learn about the medicinal qualities of herbs — prepare a written report and present orally on one herb or herb processing method per week (minimum)

• Complete at least one farm project monitoring in-depth the growth of an herb with growth requirements, harvesting, processing and storing process and present a written and oral report 

• Craft at least one new herbal product - a tea, an infused oil, a tincture, a salve, an oxymel

• Create content for marketing on best practices for herbal processing and colloborate with appropriate Leadership Team member for implementation

• Successful completion of individual-selected coursework

• Develop leadership abilities under the guidance of the Leadership Team

• Provide hospitality support related to the farm stay retreat center, and educational programs

• Participate in farmer's market logistics

• Prepare an annotated bibliography of references to serve as a resource for your future needs.

• Legacy Project will include developing  a new product with a workshop on how to create your herbal product

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Apothecary Management Apprentice

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This apprenticeship will address all aspects of running an apothecary, including receiving processed or fresh product from the Farm Manager, tracking inventory, marketing available inventory, preparing,  and shipping orders.  While studying medicinal herbs, apprentices will  gain a wealth of farm and wellness knowledge, and participate in a community focused on health-building and positivity.

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Learning Goals – including but not limited to the following

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• Research and identify best practices for apothecary maintenance, marketing, and management 

• Become proficient with all the processes involved in managing the Apothecary under the supervision of the Leadership Team - inventory management, order receipt, processing, packaging, shipping

• Learn the medicinal qualities of herbs in our apothecary

• Learn the best practices for storage and packaging of herbs

• Research how to develop a quality control plan for inventory management including periodic review of inventory potency, and creating a pricing proposal consistent with quality of porduct

• Identify strategies for sales and customer service and for creating a promotion to move product when most potent

• Become acquainted with our best farming practices through hands-on experience

• Identify references to serve as a resource for your future needs.

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Responsibilities – including but not limited to the following

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• Research comparable businesses/apothecaries for identifying best practices, marketing ideas, and challenges

• Research trends for timeliness of sales for particular herbs

• Identify and document best practices for inventory management and quality control

• Create and implement a promotional plan for moving inventory

• Prepare and present a weekly written and oral report on best practices of Apothecary Management inventory quality control, packaging, promotions or marketing ideas

• Fully participate in farm work to gain knowledge of best practices for producing potent herbs

• Identify relevant content for marketing inventory and colloborate with Leadership Team for implementation

• Legacy Project ideas not limited to the following:

  • Promotion of a particular herbal product

  • Documentation of an quality control program

  • Manual of apothecary management and customer service best practices

  • Creation of a packaging proposal

• Prepare an annotated bibliography of references to serve as a resource for your future needs.

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Herbal Nutrition Apprentice

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Under the supervision of the Leadership Team, the herbal nutrition apprentice will explore culinary uses of herbs grown on-site.  Research will include immersion in one of our culinary herbalism curriculums.  The apprentice will apply what is learned by utilizing herbs and food from the farm for menu planning.

While studying medicinal herbs, apprentices will  gain a wealth of farm and wellness knowledge, and participate in a community focused on health-building and positivity.

 

Learning Goals – including but not limited to the following

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• Learn the nutritional of the produce and herbs grown on site 

• Learn the flavor profiles of various herbs and produce and what they pair well with for delicious culinary combinations

• Learn medicinal properties of herbs commonly used in food preparation

• Learn how to design and prepare health-conscious menus with a focus on culinary herbalism

• Learn how to package menu planning for marketing to local and on-line community

• Learn how to grow nutrient dense food and potent herbs

• Identify references to serve as a resource for your future needs.

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Responsibilities – including but not limited to the following

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• Complete a self-guided formal curriculum  on culinary herbalism (Several intensive courses on culinary herbalism are available on site.)

• Research and Design and implement health-conscious menus  

• Research and present weekly written and oral reports on the nutritional benefits of produce grown on site and the medicinal qualities of various culinary herbs

• Develop plans for menu, meal preparation and presentation  for a special farm to fork program 

• Offer creative ideas for incorporating herbs into menu planning and encourage our on-site staff and our community (local and on-line) to utilize herbs into their menu planning

• Contribute to the creation of a farm cookbook utilizing herbs grown on-site and locally grown food

• Prepare content for the marketing staff to use for educating our local and on-line community about culinary uses of herbs and their benefits.

• Develop oneself as a leader in health and wellness by creating educational programs under the supervision of our Leadership Team.

• Provide hospitality support related to the farm stay retreat center, and educational programs and open Apothecary hours on Wednesday - could include herbal snacks, teas, etc.

• Participate in farm work, gaining hands-on farm experience, to learn the growth requirements for nutrient-dense produce and herbs.  Farm work includes, but not limited to, soil preparation, weeding, harvesting, processing, storage, egg collection, etc.

• Aid in organizing and implementing farmer's market logistics with menu ideas for herb use

• Full participation in farm community events and activities

• Prepare an annotated bibliography of references to serve as a resource for your future needs.

• Legacy Project to include farm-to-fork dinner creatively incorporating herbs for a retreat group or community program with menu cards 

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Marketing Apprentice

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The Marketing Apprentice will assist the Leadership Team in all aspects of marketing SpiritWorks Trilogy. This apprenticeship will include becoming cognizant of all aspect of our offerings before developing, implementing marketing strategies that increase visibility, engagement, and conversion with our immediate community and beyond. While studying medicinal herbs, apprentices will  gain a wealth of farm and wellness knowledge, and participate in a community focused on health-building and positivity.

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Learning Goals - including but not limited to

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• Develop awareness of:

  • Farm Stay Retreat Center availability and retreat programs

  • Our herb garden scope of operation and best practices, including tours

  • Medicinal and culinary uses of herbs

  • Apothecary inventory and selling points

  • Educational and retreat programs offered

  • Retreat vacancies

  • SpiritWorks branding - logos, colors, fonts

  • Marketing practices of similar operations

• Research the best marketing ideas for our apothecary and retreat center

• Identify optimal use of various media platforms 

• Develop multimedia skills - photography, videography, graphic design, and written content

• Acquire an understanding of how analytics (visibility, engagement, conversion, etc) impact marketing strategies

• Develop leadership skills under the direction of the Leadership Team

• Provide hospitality support related to the farm stay retreat center and wellness programs

• Identify references to serve as a resource for your future needs.​

 

Responsibilities

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• Identify key components of a successful marketing campaign, including but not limited to social media, SEO, blog posts, etc.

• Participate in onsite farm activities including, but not limited to, soil preparation, planting, harvesting, processing, apothecary management, food preparation, and clean-up with other SpiritWorkers a minimum of 10 hours per week to gain content ideas for marketing that reflect familiarity with all aspects of our operations under the guidance of the Leadership Team

• Collect content in the form of graphic designs, photography, videography, and script for social media posts

• Draft content for social media, blog, and newsletter consistent with our branding utilizing input from all aspects of our operations

• Design promotional flyers and pamphlets aligned with our branding

• Prepare a written report and present orally on relevant marketing material weekly - can include but not be limited to the following:

  • ​Research marketing practices of comparable businesses (apothecaries, retreat centers, herb farms)  and present a written report to the leadership team 

  • Research and present recommendations to increase SEO on our website pages and rental listings

  • Create content for marketing on best practices for marketing and collaborate with appropriate Leadership Team members for implementation

  • Marketing of programs & venue marketing of herbs, farming practices, safety, etc.

• Collaborate with the Leadership Team to implement marketing campaigns

• Community outreach under the supervision and guidance of the Education & Community Engagement Strategist - includes identifying local partners and creating marketing proposals for each partner

• Successful completion of individually selected coursework directly related to responsibilities

• ​Prepare an annotated bibliography of references to serve as a resource for your future needs.

• Legacy Project 

  • Design and execute at least one approved marketing campaign with analytics measured  under the supervision of the Leadership Team

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