How did you get interested in agriculture? And what are you hoping to gain from your apprenticeship?
May 2025

I wanted to ride horses in pretty places. I looked into working as a wrangler, but I was concerned that leading a string of whining children behind me would take away from the experience. So ranch work it was. I managed to get a job on a small ranch in Central Oregon despite having no experience aside from working at horse barns. This path of course, brought its own set of challenges. It is far from the romanticized version that’s typically put on display. I moved endless handlines, fed in negative temperatures and pulled dead calves out of irrigation ditches. There were a lot of hard days. But what you learn with ranching, is that every bad moment is paralleled with one that is beautiful. This work allows you to observe the subtleties of nature that you would typically miss while just out on a daily walk. I have seen the surrounding mountains where I’ve worked illuminated in every shade of light, shrouded in fog or barely visible through an oncoming storm. I’ve worked closely alongside wildlife, witnessing bold displays of their natural behavior. In this work you are not merely just a spectator; you’re fulfilling your own role on the land. The animals seem to recognize that. 

Perhaps though, the most fulfilling aspect of this work for me is the importance it holds. To people, the land, and the animal. I grew up dreaming of one day owning an animal rescue, and now I find myself working in the very industry I used to condemn. But I feel good about the work I do. I spend each day tending to happy livestock on land with flourishing ecosystems. I watch how they support one another, and in turn produce nourishing food for families. It is a privilege to hold a role within the system, and to be able to ensure that things are done in a way that allows me to feel proud of what I do. 

As I continue with this work, I hope to find a place of true belonging. A place where my strengths can be applied to uphold the highest standard for the quality of life of the animal, while simultaneously caring for the land they are raised upon. Everyday since beginning this apprenticeship I have watched the balance struck between nature, human and animal. It is encouraging to see, and an even greater privilege to participate in.