Apprentice Graduates
Since 2004, Growing Growers has trained 237 beginning farmers through our apprenticeship program. Many graduates have gone on to start their own farms, become host farmers themselves, or pursue careers in sustainable agriculture and food systems. Use the search box to find a specific graduate, or click any column header to sort.
Where Are They Now?
Many graduates have gone on to start their own farms—and several have become host farmers themselves, training the next generation of growers.
Laura Christensen
Two Birds Farm
Former 2005 apprentice Laura Christensen started Two Birds Farm (formerly Blue Door Farm) in Kansas City, KS. She apprenticed at KC Community Farm and is now a host farmer, having trained several Growing Growers apprentices.
View Two Birds Farm →
Jessi Asmussen
Mellowfields Urban Farm
Former 2006 apprentice Jessi Asmussen started Mellowfields Urban Farm in Lawrence, KS. She apprenticed at Sandheron Farm and is now a host farmer who also co-runs the Common Harvest CSA.
View Mellowfields Farm →
Neil Rudisill
Woodland City KC
Former 2010 apprentice Neil Rudisill started Woodland City KC in Kansas City, MO in the Ivanhoe neighborhood. He apprenticed at KC Center for Urban Agriculture and is now a host farmer. His half-acre market garden focuses on organic techniques and small-scale urban agriculture.
Read Kansas City Magazine Profile →
Jake Johannes
Sacred Sun Cooperative Farm
Former 2008 apprentice Jake Johannes started Sacred Sun Cooperative Farm in Perry, KS, which has grown into a 100-acre organic farming community. He apprenticed at Kansas City Community Farm and is now a host farmer.
View Sacred Sun Farm →
Kate Johnson
Roots, Fruits & Greens Farm
Former 2011 apprentice Kate Johnson started Roots, Fruits & Greens Farm in Easton, KS, where she grows mainly for restaurants. She apprenticed at Spring Creek Farm in Baldwin City, KS.
Follow on Instagram: @rfgfarm
Katherine Loeck
Backbone Farm
Former 2010 apprentice Katherine (Loeck) Carestio started Backbone Farm in upstate New York in 2018 with her husband, Jamie. Kat apprenticed at KC Center for Urban Agriculture (now Gibbs Road Farm) and runs a 67-acre farm adjacent to the Finger Lakes National Forest, raising grass-fed beef.
Read the GreenStar Cooperative Profile →
Semra Fetahovic
K-State Olathe
Former 2015 apprentice Semra Fetahovic apprenticed at Fair Share Farm and now serves as the Urban Food Systems Program Coordinator at K-State Olathe, where she provides leadership in marketing and outreach.
Read About Semra →
What Our Apprentices Say
“The wealth of information that I have gleaned from the series is invaluable to my pursuit of becoming a first-class Urban Farmer. I have learned so many things related to this pursuit that are not readily available in other informational forums.”
Chris Dalton, Happy Rock Farm, Gladstone, MO
“I’ve learned SO much going through the Growing Growers program! Not only did I get great information and resources, the workshops helped me figure out what I DON’T want to do on my farm.”
Bobbi Walker, PlayHaven Farm LLC, Napoleon, MO
“Growing Growers gave me valuable first hand experience and put me in contact with helpful people and resources in the area that I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else.”
Jenna Wilkins, KC Community Farm, Kansas City, MO
Graduation Ceremony
Every year, Growing Growers holds a graduation ceremony at the K-State Olathe Horticulture Center during the Commercial Vegetable Field Day each August. At this event, apprentices are recognized for their hard work and accomplishments when they successfully finish the program.
Photos courtesy of K-State Olathe Horticulture Center