Legacy Farms Vocational Training Programs
Legacy Farms partners with neurodivergent individuals to build the real-world skills needed for meaningful employment. Through hands-on work in our production gardens, participants develop foundational work behaviors, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging in a supportive, structured community.
Our programs are designed to meet people where they are. Based on each participant’s interests, strengths, and growing skills, farmers engage in purposeful tasks that contribute directly to the farm’s operations and products.
Vocational Immersion:
Introductory Level to Entrepreneurial Apprenticeships
Our signature mentor-based apprenticeship program brings farmers together as equal members of a working team that supports CSAs, events, and product fulfillment.
Apprentices work in one of our production gardens, where they receive individualized support while building practical job skills, independence, and self-confidence. All participants begin as educational apprentices, focusing on learning routines, tools, and expectations while volunteering in the garden. After at least one season, participants may be invited to advance to vocational or entrepreneurial apprenticeships, which include higher expectations, increased responsibility, and possibly paid work.
Junior Staff
The Junior Staff program serves as the bridge from apprentice to full staff member. Junior staff deepen their professional identity while strengthening skills such as time awareness, planning, ownership, accountability, communication, mindfulness, flexibility, and problem-solving.
In addition to garden work, junior staff serve on at least one farm team and take responsibility for real product deliverables. Teams may include floral production, business operations, or creative content. Together, these teams support, enhance, and share the products grown and sold at Legacy Farms.
Seasonal Programs - Friday Farmers, Partnered Programs, and More!
We offer a variety of seasonal programs based on demand and interest. For example, our winter training program, partnered with A Place To Be, offers in-depth vocational training and helps apprentices develop self-expression. Our spring and fall programs, coordinated with area high schools and post-secondary programs, provide an introduction to vocational skills and hands-on work in a real-world setting.
Our Friday Farmers Summer Program is a gentle introduction to vocational learning at the farm. No prior experience or specific skills are required. Participants spend time outdoors connecting with plants, nature, and simple creative activities that support emotional regulation, confidence, and well-being. Click here for more information and to register.