Experience at ALF - Tours and Events Team member Apricot Lane Farms Employee Review

After 25 years in the military I retired and set out to experience some of this "freedom" I'd heard so much about. While viewing the documentary "Biggest Little Farm" a chord was struck and curiosity peaked, so I researched the website and discovered the farm on which filming took place (Apricot Lane Farms) was offering a 6 month apprenticeship. Deadline for applications was that night. I figured I had no experience, no knowledge of any kind in regenerative farming, but I had great curiosity and the willingness to be uncomfortable and make mistakes. What I experienced in my 6 months on this farm was remarkable to say the least and any attempt I make to share it via this forum will not do it justice. From the absolute professionalism of HR, the patience and joy each coworker brought to their craft and to one another, to the leadership that gave me grace for my shortfalls and taught a very mission-focused ex Navy SEAL to slow down and “sometimes you just have to pet the dog”. Thank you for sharing this journey with me. Thank you for your patience, your forgiveness and for helping me, inspiring me, to be a better human being

My time there ended too soon.

The first thing I have to say is it’s one of the most diverse farms I’ve ever worked on. Beyond just farming they care a lot about the role wild animals play in agriculture and native plant conservation. They had at least two full-time people who just handled habitat . The care for livestock is next level. They put a ton of work into various fertility practices (compost / vermicompost) and they are getting the results. I wasn’t there in the beginning but I’ve seen pictures so I can tell the methods they’re using are working. Most everyone I worked with was really great. They do put a lot into the culture and team building. It’s hard work so there’s some natural negativity but you can tell everyone cares from the top down. Beyond just being a beautiful piece of earth to work on you can tell they top cares about the mission. I only left because of an opportunity to work with some family. Good benefits, especially for a farm.

Most of the issues were from when I first started 6 years ago they had a few younger gossipy people and one middle management supervisor there with a bad attitude. I’ve worked on several farms. It’s common. You get a college kid who goes to a few farm conferences and suddenly they know better. My only criticism is senior staff took too long to fire them. Gave them too many chances which I guess is good, but it was hard to be around when i started. I’ve seen this at several farms.