There is a three-part application process to become a Kitchen Apprentice at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center. Applications are accepted year round, and should generally be turned in at least four to six weeks prior to the start of the apprenticeship, so that there is time to schedule a guest student stay before acceptance. Please read and be familiar with all of the information on this web page (as well as all of the information on the Kitchen Apprenticeship Program page) before applying. You may contact the Head of the Kitchen (at ggftenzo@sfzc.org) with any remaining questions regarding the Kitchen Apprenticeship program, and to discuss whether it may be the right fit.
Part 1.
There are three applications: One on the page Guest Student Stays (review the program and access the application); the Green Gulch Kitchen Apprentice application (Word | PDF); and the Basic Residential Practice Application (Word | PDF). Fill out all three and submit them to ggfstudent@sfzc.org. Before completing and submitting the applications, read the Green Gulch Residential Guidelines (Shingi). Please take time to think about the questions and provide sincere and candid answers. Program directors take into account an applicant's reasons for applying, what they hope to learn, and what they feel they can contribute.
Applications are reviewed for suitability for the program. If further information or clarification is needed, the program coordinator will reach out with a phone call or email message. Once the application is accepted, candidates will be notified and invited to move on to the second phase (i.e., Part 2) of the application process.
Part 2.
All applicants who are invited to continue to Part 2 must complete a two-week guest student stay in order to be introduced to the meditation and work schedules, and to community life at Green Gulch Farm. The Guest Student Manager will contact applicants to schedule this visit. The cost of the guest student stay is $25/day. Scholarships are not available for the guest student stay. Please see Guest Student Stays for more information.
Part 3.
During the guest student stay, students will experience and become familiar with the daily schedule, different work crews, and community life at Green Gulch. There will be opportunities to speak with current and former apprentices and staff members, to interact with the kitchen crew and the Head of the Kitchen, and to be exposed to Buddhist teachings offered by resident teachers. Apprentice applicants have the opportunity to meet individually with the Green Gulch Tanto (Head of Practice) and the Green Gulch Director near the end of their two-week guest student stay in order to reflect together on their guest-student experience. The Green Gulch Practice Committee will review apprenticeship applications and make all final decisions regarding the acceptance of applicants.