Apprenticeships at Native Seeds/SEARCH

Work and learn at the Conservation Center Farm in Tucson, AZ. Apprentices gain hands-on training in seed saving, aridland agriculture, rainwater harvesting, soil stewardship and more.

Save Seeds. Grow Food. Build Skills.

Farming & Seed Saving Apprenticeship

NS/S hosts one Farming and Seed Saving apprentice each year, sponsored by the Arizona Ag Workforce Development Program. The apprenticeship is geared towards individuals with demonstrated growing experience who are looking to build skills in farming and seed saving as a stepping stone to a career in arid-adapted agriculture. The apprenticeship is typically completed as a 6-month, part-time position.

Apply Here

Serve with Americorps

Each year, NS/S hosts four Americorps members through Arizona Serve. Two 300-hour positions are available over the summer (June - August), and two 900-hour, year-long positions start each September and conclude the following August. Americorps members typically work 5-6 hour shifts (i.e. 6am-11am) 3 days a week.

Note: Please list "Native Seeds/SEARCH" when asked, "How did you hear about this Americorps position?"

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Volunteer at the Conservation Center

If you need a more flexible experience, you can work with and learn from the NS/S community as a regular garden volunteer. Garden volunteers support year-round planting, harvesting, and expansion of the Conservation Center farm. This is a great opportunity to meet other members of the Tucson community, learn about growing in the desert, and contribute to the NS/S mission.

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Apprentice Experiences

"I became very familiar with the plants we were growing out. Through observation, questions, and discussion, I was able to gain a better understanding of a specific crops’ growing habits, needs, common pests, etc in our climate. All [the] NS/S staff that I worked with were extremely patient and willing to set aside time from their personal tasks to direct me on a task and answer any of my questions."

Daisy Vargas, 2022 Farming and Seed Saving Apprentice
"I got to experience the seed regeneration process in detail. I was helping grow and care for a variety of plants, collect the seeds of the plants, and process the seeds. I have learned a lot of specifics of proper seed-saving and regeneration practices, for example, isolation distance, the number of plants needed for genetic preservation, the life shelf of seeds, and data collection. Also, I have learned about different techniques of seed processing, organic agricultural practices, and specifics of growing arid-adapted crops"

Mariia Romanchenko, 2023 Americorps Member
“I enjoyed how varied the apprenticeship was in terms of tasks and projects. I came into the apprenticeship hoping to gain a better understanding of all the pieces that have to work and come together in order to successfully save seeds and NS/S allowed this to happen by being so flexible and accommodating the entire length of my apprenticeship.”

Daisy Vargas, 2022 Farming and Seed Saving Apprentice
"There are so many seed saving/farming lessons I gained from this experience. I [also felt] mentored by the NS/S staff. The overall work environment was very encouraging and kind. It was a place I felt comfortable to make mistakes so that I could learn and grow from them."

Ryan Golb, 2023 Summer Americorps Member