By Grace Raper / Guest Writer
As part of a new project in the seven western counties of North Carolina, the Mountain Food and Farm Apprenticeship Program is seeking applicants for local paid apprenticeship positions, which are scheduled to begin in Jan. 2020.
The Mountain Food and Farm Apprenticeship Program, funded by the Appalachian Regional Commission, is part of the larger EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems initiative. This initiative is a three-year project focused on bringing expanded opportunities and capacity to food and farm businesses across the southwestern North Carolina regions.
“The far western mountain region of North Carolina has bountiful farm land, accessible natural resources, admired educational institutions, an amazing sense of community and businesses which strive to promote an active and healthy lifestyle,” said Christina Newhouse, manager of the Mountain Food and Farm Apprenticeship Program. “Our mission is to bring those resources together for regional economic success.”
The Tri-County Community College Small Business Center, in conjunction with EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems, recently held an information session for local food and farm businesses, which introduced the new apprenticeship program.
“We’re very excited about this new program and the ability to support our local food and farm businesses, restaurants, vineyards, breweries and value-added producers in growing their business,” said Kathryn Jenkins, director of the Small Business Center at Tri-County Community College.
One local business seeking an apprentice is Wehrloom Honey in Robbinsville, which allows a student the opportunity to learn about the brewing process, as well as honey production.
All apprenticeship positions are an average of 20 hours a week or fewer. Applicants seeking an apprenticeship must be enrolled in one of the following educational institutions or be a graduate within one year: Western Carolina University, Haywood Community College, Southwestern Community College or Tri-County Community College.
“Our goal is to match paid apprentices with regional mentor businesses along the local supply chain. By pairing unique student skill sets with business needs, we have an opportunity to help provide the services our mentor businesses need to improve their business’ profitability and exposure while supplying real life experience for college students and the potential for future local business development,” Newhouse said.
The Tri-County Community College Small Business Center will be hosting another session on Thursday, Jan. 16 in partnership with the EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems project. The event is free and food and farm businesses are encouraged to attend.
For details about the apprenticeship positions or to apply, visit: www.empoweringmtnfoodsystems.org or call Newhouse at (828) 361-2266. To register for the next Small Business Center seminar, call Jenkins at (828) 835-9564.
More apprenticeships will be available throughout 2020 and applicants are encouraged to apply now for future positions.