Agroforestry Apprenticeship
Meet The Team!
JESSE GAFNER- Farm Crew Lead
Jesse graduated from Slippery Rock University with a degree in Geography and a concentration in Environmental Studies & Sustainability. He has a background in invasive species removal, plant identification, and crew supervision in our region’s wildest places! Outside of work, Jesse enjoys hunting, aquascaping, and spending time outdoors, which deepens his connection to the landscapes he manages.
ELENA LUCAS- Agroforestry Apprentice
Elena graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2026 with a degree in Parks and Resource Management. As a previous Trails and Habitat Management Intern at the Robert A. Macoskey Center, she has a deep passion for environmental justice and sustainability. With her love for the outdoors, Elena is an avid nature photographer and enjoys hiking, reading, traveling, and landscaping with native species.
AMBER MARSHALL- Agroforestry Apprentice
Amber graduated from Mercyhurst University in 2022 with a degree in Environmental Science. As a previous food banker and VISTA, she has a great passion for community work and sustainable food systems. When she’s not on the farm or in the forest, you can find her lifting heavy at the gym or birdwatching!
ALANNA BARTO- Agroforestry Apprentice
Alanna has spent much of her free time exploring her passion for the environment. She is an avid gardener, focusing on growing foods that she can harvest and use to feed her family throughout the year and into the next growing season. She also cares deeply about the natural wildlife around her, growing a native wildflower garden at her home and helping transform a family member's yard into a protected wildlife habitat. When she isn't working, you can find her reading, painting, coaching color guard, hiking, or spending time in the gym!
Apprentices gain practical experience in forest and nursery operations, crop cultivation, livestock grazing, habitat restoration, and conservation planning, with cows and poultry integrated into diversified farming systems to support soil health, nutrient cycling, and long-term sustainability.
The core of the program consists of 2,000 hours of paid, on-the-job training at Woolbank Forest Farm and Cherry Hill Eco Farm, complemented by 144 hours of related technical instruction delivered through a mix of in-person workshops, partner farm trainings, and classroom-based learning. Apprentices are employed full-time while developing the skills needed to support productive, resilient agroforestry and conservation operations, with opportunities for continued growth upon program completion.
Woolbank’s Agroforestry Apprenticeship Program provides hands-on, technical training in agroforestry systems including alley cropping, forest farming, and riparian zone management.
Apprenticeship Qualifications
At least 18 years of age with minimum of high school diploma
Willingness to work outside in various weather conditions
Reliable transportation to and from varied work sites
Interest and passion for natural resource conservation in agricultural systems
Apprenticeship Benefits
Health, Dental, and Vision Employer Contribution
10 sessions of third party career coaching (5 hours total)
Hybrid work Environment- field, remote, and off-site
Paid certification courses + Professional Development
Work Laptop, Stipends for work attire
Compensation Information
This is a full-time hybrid Apprenticeship with a progressive hourly wage schedule tied to completed training hours. Apprentices begin between $23.08/hr and $24.52/hr with a scheduled progression to $25.97/hour as apprenticeship hours are completed. This is a seasonal position from april - december 2026.
An apprentice will work 3 days in the field, and 2 from home.