Beginning Farmer

2012 Military Veteran Farmer Basic Skills Training in Albuquerque, New Mexico

A FREE program is being offered for veterans to learn basic skills and best practices for sustainable farming as a business or hobby with significant therapeutic and community benefits.

All training sessions will be held at the Downtown Action Team Offices, 100 Gold Avenue SW (corner of First Street and Gold Avenue).  Depending on availability and enrollment, transportation from the V.A. Medical Center may be arranged.For more information and up-to-date schedules contact: Robin at 505-217-2027 (toll free outside of Albuquerque at 877-775-2667, or e-mail her at robins@lamontanita.coop.

*All Basic Skills Training sessions will be held at 4:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted

January: 1/11 - Veteran Farmer Basic Skills Training Overview—V.A. Education Center, (Bldg. 39); 1/12 - Veteran Farmer Basic Skills Training Overview—Downtown Action Team Offices; 1/19 - Picking your Seeds—Brett Bakker, NMDA, formerly of Native Seeds/SEARCH; 1/25 - Building Soil and Fertility—Joran Viers, Cheryl Kent, Bernalillo County Extension Service (BCES); 1/30 - Season Extension, Row cover building—Gabe Baker, BCES

February: 2/9 - Basic Botany—How Plants Grow—Joran Viers, BCES; 2/16 - Getting a Head Start—Seeding Start Trays—Gabe Baker or Gina, BCES; 2/25 - Permaculture in the Garden, Michael Reed, Farmer, Permaculture Educator

March: 3/10 - The Blessing of Bees: Learning the Basics of pollination and honey production, Loretta McGrath, Coordinator, the New Mexico Pollinator Project; 3/16 - Boots and Roots Down: More starts, more seeds and transplanting and seeding beds—Martin Sanchez, NMDA, East Mountain Organics; Ron Job, Veteran Master Gardener: 3/17* - Growing Compost Part 1—1:00 p.m., Certified Master Composter Omar Sadek, Second Harvest Composting Company; 3/22 - Season Extension Continued—working with row covers, Eli Berg; 3/24* - Growing Compost Part 2—1:00 p.m., Certified Master Composter Omar Sadek, Second Harvest Composting Company

Additional classes and schedules will be provided for each quarter of the year. This project is a collaboration between: New Mexico Department of Agriculture; Bernalillo County Extension Service; Mid-Region Council of Governments Agriculture Collaborative; NMSU; Chispas Farms; Los Poblanos Organics; Master Composter Program; La Montanita FUND; Veterans Administration Hospital; Veteran Integration Center; What Would You Give Foundation

Cedar Grove Farm in Stephens, Georgia (30 miles East of Athens GA) is offering an Internship for the 2012 season.

Internship Duration: March-August 2012 — please apply now; email: Farm.CedarGrove@gmail.com

Internship Description: Interns will have the opportunity to experience the full, multi-season workings of our professional, small-scale, Certified Naturally Grown farm.  This experience will include many aspects of small farm management including: seed starting and transplant production, greenhouse and hoop house management, weed and pest management, field crop production, harvesting and processing, record keeping, running the weekly farm stand, customer relations, and more.  Expect to work 40+ hours a week, with at least one day off on the weekends.

Educational Opportunities: Largely self-directed.  Interns are encouraged to ask questions and may be directed to do research on pertinent farming topics.  Our library of farming-related resources will be available.  Visits to other neighboring farms may be organized.

For further details and application instructions click “read more”

Work Experience/Skills Desired: Future farmers and growers are invited to apply.  Previous experience working outdoors, in a garden, or on a farm is appreciated but not required.  What is required is a serious interest in farming and local food and a life path that is headed in the direction of local food production.

Interested folks should be able to listen to and follow detailed instructions, ask good questions, work efficiently, work well on a team as well as independently, be self-directed, be able to handle working outdoors in all kinds of weather, bend and squat for long periods of time, lift 40-50lbs, have a quality work ethic, be responsible, and be consistent.  A good attitude and good communication skills are essential.   A strong back and love of the outdoors helps.

Meals: All the veggies you can eat and some pantry supplies will be available, as well as a full kitchen to prepare your meals in. Stipend: $100/week Housing: Private bedroom in a large and beautiful farmhouse.  Shared kitchen, bathroom, living room, and laundry facilities.

Interested? Please answer the following questions:
1) Why are you interested in this internship?
2) What do you hope to gain from your experience with us?
3) What kind of physical labor have you done?
4) What are your long-term agriculture goals?
5) Describe your working style and previous work experience.
6) Describe a time when you faced a challenging work situation and how you coped with it.
7) Discuss your weaknesses and pet peeves.
8) Discuss your strengths and passions.
9) What are your shared housing living experiences and preferences?
10) Why are you the best person for this position?

Email your reply and contact information to us at Farm.CedarGrove@gmail.com.

Cricket Creek Farm, a small grass-based dairy in Williamstown, Massachusetts is offering internships for the 2012 season. They make several award-winning cheeses from the milk of their herd of Brown Swiss and Jersey cows (currently milking 25 cows).  In addition to the cheese, we sell raw milk from our farm store.  We also raise beef cows and whey-fed pigs, as well as layer hens.  We make all our own hay for our cows (3 cuts on 150 acres).  We have a bakery located on the farm that supplies the store with fresh bread, cookies, granola, and other baked goods.  They are a member of Berkshire Grown and sell cheese to many shops & restaurants in the Berkshires. They attend several local farmers markets and have a CSA offering milk, cheese, eggs, beef, pork & bread.  They also have a cheese CSA in Brooklyn, NY.  They are looking for 5 interns to join them for 2012.  Interns would help in cheese making, general farm work, or both – depending on experience and interest. Qualities were are looking for are: commitment to agriculture, open communication, teamwork, passion for food, independence, and love of labor.

Dates of internship: Ideal candidates would be interested/able to stay for 1 full year, they request an absolute minimum of a 7 month-stay.  Ideal start date is around April 1, absolute latest of May 15.  End date no earlier than Dec 15, 2012.

All interns must have good people skills and enjoy interacting with the public.  We’re looking for interns who are excited about taking on significant responsibility.  All interns will be attending weekly farmers markets and occasionally making deliveries.  All interns work 6 full days per week with 1 full day off.  We all work as a team here and we’d like to find interns who want to take on an independent project/aspect of the business and build it.

For more details, and info on how to apply click “read more”

We Provide We provide housing, a stipend, and some food.  Interns will share the farm house with the other inters, located on the farm.  The house has wireless internet, heat, two bathrooms, and a fully-equipped kitchen.   Amount of stipend depends on experience and length of commitment.  Raw milk and plenty of cheese is free and available to all Cricket Creek staff and interns.  All staff and interns have access to pulled baked goods, freezer burned meat, and receive a 20% discount on all items in our farm store. The staff at Cricket Creek are committed to providing a full educational experience. We have regular open meetings, are fine with sharing all our farm planning materials, are open with our financials, and encourage questions and suggestions.

If you are interested please send us an email (info@cricketcreekfarm.com) with: a resume, 3 references, and answers to the list of questions on the Intern page of our website (http://www.cricketcreekfarm.com/wp/internships-at-cricket-creek-farm/).  Please clearly state the best way to get in touch with you.  If you have any questions, you can send an email to info@cricketcreekfarm.com or call (413) 458-5888.  We are happy to provide contact info for previous interns.  Any applicant who seems to be a good fit will be expected to come for a 2 day visit in Feb or March.

Abingdon Organics in Virginia is is hiring for an Farm Assistant Manager job

Abingdon Organics, a certified organic farm just outside of Abingdon in southwest Virginia, is seeking a Farm Assistant Manager, as well as other positions through Virginia Beginning Farmer & Rancher Coalition Project’s farmer mentorship program. Abingdon Organics has had a full-time, season-long Farm Assistant Manager for the past two years, along with interns, WWOOFers and paid employees.

Abingdon is a town of 8000, has a thriving farmers’ market, excellent restaurants and is strong in the arts and music. On a 7.5 acre farm, we raise 3 acres of certified organic produce which we sell at the Abingdon Farmers ‘Market 2 days/week, to several local restaurants and through Appalachian Harvest, an organic wholesale network. We raise 50 different types of vegetables and fruits, well over 100 heirloom and other varieties, from spring through late fall. We have a heated greenhouse where we raise our bedding plants, four large high tunnels and several smaller hoop houses for early and late season crops. We employ a variety of organic techniques including habitats for beneficial insects, cover cropping, trap cropping for insect control, composting and more. We love to experiment with new ideas.

We are closely associated with many other organic growers and the region’s sustainable development movement. The Assistant Farm Manager position is from early March through September or October, though we are willing to negotiate if necessary to accommodate different schedules. Other positions on the farm can be of shorter duration, though we prefer folks who can work at least 2 – 3 months. Work includes greenhouse planting and maintenance, tractor work, planting, weeding, composting, harvesting and selling at the farmers’ market. Work is intense, but enjoyable. We offer a room in our house, great local food including our produce and local grass-finished meats. Our farm is just a few miles from the Creeper Trail, a 35 mile rail to trail that ends at White Top Mountain.

If interested, please call Anthony Flaccavento @ 276 628-4727 or email us at flaccavento@ruralscale.com

The P.e.a.c.h. Community Farm in Washington State is seeking interns for the 2012 season. PCF  is a certified organic non-profit farm with a mission to provide low to no cost produce to low-income people.  The farm is located in Cheney, Washington and is only a ten-minute drive from downtown Spokane, yet it feels like you are in the middle of the country. They have laying hens, a dairy goatherd, beehives, and a large market garden on a gorgeous 32 acre plot of land.  They are seeking interns to join them over the coming season.

There is no minimum or maximum length of time for an internship and the intern can work full or part time.  The internship is meant to be a learning experience and the intern will be working closely with our Director of Farming Programs who has over 20 years of sustainable farming experience.  Interns will work in the field planting and harvesting produce, tend the market stands, assist with the dairy goats, collect eggs, and perform other various farm duties.  Interns will also be welcome to participate in workshops and events taking place on the farm during the season.

For Details/Application information click “read more”

While there are not yet facilities set up for indoor sleeping, the farm does have a cushy pine forest to camp in, a community kitchen, and can accommodate trailers.  There is no monetary compensation offered for interns, but the farm can provide in-season produce to interns, as well as eggs. The P.e.a.c.h. Community Farm has big plans for the coming season and they hope that you will consider joining them!

If you have any questions or would like to apply, please do not hesitate to contact Whitney at whitney@peachlocal.com.

Good Earth Farm Internships in Washington State, 2012. Good Earth located in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA reaches out as an educational resource for folk who are hungry to learn how to provide healthy food and lifestyles for themselves and others. They believe that nature has created the perfect design, so they employ natural farming techniques, like those promoted by Masanobu Fukuoka as well as the philosophy of Michio Kushi who taught that health could lead to peace. Yoga and meditation also forms an integral part of the program.

Good Earth grows produce, herbs and flowers on a leased acre of land at Talking Horse Farm, a beautiful 160 acre working farm on San Juan Island. Everything is done by hand as they transition to organic no-tillage. Produce is sold locally and although the emphasis is not on commercial growing they obviously need to distribute the foods and to recognize the reality of sustaining the project financially.

This summer Good Earth will be hosting a workshop by Larry Korn, editor of the One Straw Revolution.

Internship Starts: April 2012; Internship Ends: late October 2012; Number of Interns: 2; Minimum Length of Stay: full season

Get detailed information and find out how to apply by clicking “read more”.

Skills Desired: For 2012 they are looking for people who have at least one season of experience on an organic farm. You must be full of energy and prepared for the hard, physical work. A willingness to learn and receive guidance is most important, alongside the desire to cultivate personal development through working and communicating with others on a common goal.

Internship Details: You will fully participate in the running of a small-scale organic vegetable farm doing 32 hours of work per week. The internship will start with a trial period of two weeks. Your work will include the whole range of tasks in the vegetable garden from planning to harvest, as well as some marketing and sales.

Educational Opportunities: Throughout the internship you will learn about the soil and how to improve it naturally. How to work with your body, with hand tools. How to plan, grow and preserve vegetables and herbs from seed to seed and nurture them with natural fertilizers. Yoga, meditation and cooking classes also form part of our holistic educational program.

Stipend: $200 per month after the first month. Meals: Basic foods are provided and will share one meal together each working day. Good Earth love to prepare and share gourmet meals! Housing: We provide basic, camping accommodation for two interns at the Eureka homestead, a 15 minute cycle ride from Talking Horse Farm. In a addition to camping there is a trailer, with kitchen facilities, to share with the other intern, a compost toilet and shower room.

Please email Amy for an application package: goodearthcentre@gmail.com

Internships available on Peasants’ Plot Sustainable Farm in Illinois:
Peasants’ Plot is a 20-acre slice of land, a narrow “island” of organic vegetable production amidst fields of conventional row crops in the heart of Illinois farm country.  Their mission is to adhere to sustainable and organic farming methods while connecting consumers to the food they eat.  Soil fertility is in the form of horse manure and green manure crops.

Who are the peasants?  In 2007 Todd and Julia McDonald moved from their apartment in Chicago to land that was once the home of his grandparents. They maintain a strong connection to urban dwellers and have made them the focus of Peasants’ Plot, supporting about 180 CSA members in the Chicago area.  This kind of agricultural model is referred to as “Community Supported Agriculture” or subscription farming and is an exciting trend away from the global, corporate-run food system.

Peasants’ Plot offers 5 internships to the right applicants.  For those people requiring housing, this is a full-time commitment from mid April through mid September, exact dates negotiable.

Full-time (Live-On-The-Farm) Internship Description: 40 hours, for stipend $150/week ($300/week if you are a couple) plus housing and vegetables.  The housing is a 26-ft long trailer with two twin beds, a bathroom and small kitchen. Interns will be part of all aspects of production including soil blocking, bed preparation, direct seeding, transplanting, harvesting, and post-harvest handling.   Some practical experience in gardening and/or any type of farm labor is greatly preferred but not required.

Part-time Internship Description: 20-25 hours, for stipend 150/week plus vegetables.  Part-time interns must provide their own housing in the nearby town of Manteno or Bourbonnais, IL.

Interns will be part of all aspects of production including soil blocking, bed preparation, direct seeding, transplanting, harvesting, and post-harvest handling.

To apply Please email resume with all job experience to julia@peasantsplot.com.

Farm Apprentice or Partner wanted for Solstice Hill Farm in Cobleskill, New York (2012-?)

For the Partner: If you have years or many farms experience Solstice Hill would be into profit sharing…. you know who you are, give them a call.

For Apprentice and possibly later partner: Solstice Hill Farm is located on 28 acres with four in vegetable production. The farm serves two bustling farmers markets, a CSA, a health food store and a very interesting wholesale account. The whole sale account ships to low income neighborhoods located in “food deserts” of NYC.

They enjoy working with people who are really excited about agriculture. The head farmer has worked with Guatemalans and local high-schoolers but prefers people with a real passion, or at the very least, curiosity about agriculture; people who farm for more than just a paycheck.

Hours are long on a new farm like this. It seems some project is always getting squeezed in around veggies. Creating quality compost in large windrows is going to be one of the more exciting new endeavors this year. Tilling up the new orchard, finding time for the bees and hopefully getting some extra spots for housing started. Helpers would be sharing in the goals and creations that the farm undertakes. The main goal is of course veggie production and in that regard lots of  planting, greenhouse management, soil testing/amending, cover cropping and… (dramatic pause) hoeing (weeding). In short, all aspects of vegetable production will be experienced.  The farm has moved into some mechanical cultivation (tractor weeding) so some weed pressure is relieved by that. Clemens very rarely sends anyone to do a job he is not doing himself (he’s got to get over that someday). At this stage of the farm you would be working very closely with a farmer with six years experience.

The location is really stunning. Solstice Hill Farm is located on a ridge line with beautiful views all around and a ½ mile to the pond. Room and board is included with space in the main house. The women and children on the website will not be in the house most of the summer. Classes will be taught every other week on Wednesday for topic of choice. One day a month off to attend NOFA sponsored events (can be banked) or for whatever you choose. Clemens really would like to develop a plan that could make the best possible experience for young or aspiring farmers. Stipend dependent on experience but competitive and includes extra groceries for goodies.

Contact : Clemens Mackay at Clemensmackay@hotmail.com, 518-231-8623

Job: Fulltime Farm Employee/Intern and Part-Time Intern Positions for diversified sustainable farm in Oklahoma, 2012.

American Heritage Family Farm is looking to fill a fulltime permanent position and also a seasonal part-time position. They are open to educational mentoring positions, interns, or permanent hourly/salaried with bonuses based on farm profitability.They are a diversified small family farm located in North Central Oklahoma raising natural pasture based livestock and fruit/vegetables. The farm has an extensive pastured poultry (broilers/layers/turkey) and MIG multi-species grazing operation (cattle/goats/sheep) and is looking to expand in the coming year. Expansion is also planned for the vegetable cropping operation. They direct market through online sales, restaurants, retail stores, and directly from the farm. The farm is not certified organic, however uses natural, sustainable practices in its’ operations.

A successful candidate for this position will enjoy working with land and livestock intensively, being outdoors most of the day, and tolerate weather extremes, dirt, bugs, etc! They must tolerate heavy physical activity. Experience operating heavy farm machinery, building/maintaining fencing, livestock handling, and vegetable cropping desired, but not madatory. The MOST IMPORTANT qualifications are dependability, responsibility, trustworthiness, flexibility, and the desire to follow instruction.

For more information and application instructions click “read more”

Reimbursement for services will be determined based on qualification for the position including possible bonuses for farm profitability. There is a possibility of housing for the right person.

The farm expects the fulltime position to be a permanent position with year round employment fullfilling a wide diversification of roles within the year. There could be some flexibility in regard to time off in the off season.This position would ideally work into a farm management role where the current owners, nearing retirement, could take extended vacations from the farm, leaving it in responsible hands!

The farm could also utilize a part-time or intern position specifically to further develop the Vegetable Operation and/or to learn/run the Pastured Poultry Operation.

Applicaions will be accepted until positions filled.

Please submit an application by e-mail outlining your resume, cover letter, personal statement, dates available, references, qualifications, desires, salary requirements, anything else you would like for us to know, and questions to: AmericanHeritageFamilyFarm@yahoo.com

Second Nature Farm is a 4-acre farm in Norton, Massachusetts (40 min south of Boston). Second Nature is looking for Farm Interns to work April – November, 2012 – 5 days/week for 8-10 hours/day. The Farm grows a diverse selection of heirloom vegetables and fruit, all of which are Certified Naturally Grown. They run a 70-member CSA, and also sell produce to restaurants and farmers’ markets. The farm is in its fourth year, and we are continually expanding our infrastructure and expertise with season extension methods so that those interested in eating local food have a greater opportunity to do so.

Interns will be involved in every aspect of the farm and will perfect a wide variety of skills: from field and greenhouse work to the display and marketing of products. This is a great opportunity for those interested in starting their own small farms to learn organic farming methods as well as how to begin and manage a small business. Interns should have a strong work-ethic as well as a sense of humor.

Compensation is $10/hr as well as free produce from the farm.

To apply, email adam@secondnaturefarm.com with a cover letter, references, and resume.

Lake View Farm, located in the mid-Willamette Valley of Oregon has internships available for the 2012 season. The Farm offers all natural, additive and hormone free, pasture fed beef, pork, lamp, chicken, turkey, eggs and Oregon’s First Cow Share.  They are close to three major market centers, Eugene, Corvallis and Albany allowing for unusual marketing opportunities.  Sustainability and providing their family and animals with a peaceful lifestyle are paramount and offering people the opportunity to eat REAL food is their goal.

They offer three internship levels for those interested in a hands-on farming experience.  From novice to those more experienced farm hands, there are many opportunities to learn and develop your knowledge of farm practices and principles.

If you’re looking for a well-financed, work-without-a-hitch, typical commercial farming style experience, Lake View Farm probably isn’t what you need.  But if you want to learn how to carve out your own niche in the competitive world of agriculture, if you want to raise REAL food for your family and others, if you want to live the best lifestyle there is, they may have something to expand your experience.

General expectations for all intern positions are: 1) a genuine interest in sustainable farming; 2) a positive, can-do attitude; 3) a willingness to work hard, long hours; 4) a teachable mind-set

Specifics of the different intern positions are available at www.lvfrealfood.com

Compensation: All intern positions include a lovely camping spot, Sunday dinner with the family and some farm product considerations.  Further details of specific internship compensations available on their website at www.lvfrealfood.com.

How to apply: Check out the website, www.lvfrealfood.com, make sure this is the kind of place you’d like to spend some time learning and working, then contact them by phone or email via the contact page on their website. OR email them at lvf.realfood@gmail.com

Small Farmers: Shape Your Future! Free Registration Open for the 2012 Small Farms Summit in New York

The Cornell Small Farms Program is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the 2012 statewide Small Farms Summit to be held Wednesday, February 29th, from 9:30am – 3:30pm. The Summit is an interactive meeting with an opportunity for all participants to take part in lively discussion and provide important feedback, both locally, and across the state.

At the 2012 Summit, participants will be asked to reflect on recent successes and identify new concerns and challenges affecting the growth of the small farm sector.  We’ll be issuing a preliminary e-survey in early Febuary to capture feedback from voices that can not attend the Summit.  In the morning session, we’ll discuss issues that emerged in the survey and generate additional ideas from participants.  In the afternoon session, participants will work within their regional sites to prioritize areas of importance over the next 5 years.

The Summit is free to attend and lunch will be provided. Farmer participation is especially encouraged, but educators, agricultural service providers, policy makers, non-profit organizations, students and community members are all welcome.

2012 Summit Host Sites – Please contact your local host to register:
Central NY
Location: Mann Library, Agriculture Quad, Cornell University Campus
Address: Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14853
To register: Violet Stone at 607-255-9227 or vws7@cornell.edu
Eastern NY
Location: Albany County, Cornell Cooperative Extension office
Address:  24 Martin Road, Voorheesville, NY 12186
To register: Gale Kohler at gek4@cornell.edu
Northern NY
Location: St. Lawrence County, Cornell Cooperative Extension office
Address: Extension Learning Farm Classroom at 2043 SH 68, Canton, NY  13617
To register: Brent Buchanan at bab22@cornell.edu or 315-379-9192 Ext 231
Western NY
Location: Wyoming County, Cornell Cooperative Extension Office
Address: 401 North Main Street, Warsaw, NY 14569
To register: Joan Petzen‎ at jsp10@cornell.edu or 585-786-2251
Long Island
Location: Suffolk County, Cornell Cooperative Extension Office
Address:  423 Griffing Ave, Riverhead, NY 11901
To register:  Sandy Menasha at srm45@cornell.edu or 631-727-7850

Maryland – Our House Farm LLC is Offering a Farm Management Internship for the 2012 Season

Our House Farm is located 45 minutes north of Washington, D.C. in Brookeville, Maryland and grows organic fruits and vegetables on 3.5 acres of land owned by Our House, a residential youth home that serves young men ages 16-21. Our House Farm LLC and Our House work in partnership, but are separate legal entities.  Our House Farm employs around 8 Our House trainees per season, and up to four trainees work on the farm per day.

Our House Farm currently sells specialty crops and eggs at three weekly farmers’ markets, to local restaurants and a health food store, and offers a CSA.  We also maintain honeybee hives and will begin to produce year round in our new hoop house.  Sheep and goats are also located on the farm premises, but are not managed by the farm. Interns play a vital role in the organization, coordination, and management of the farm’s markets, retail sales, and CSA.

Responsibilities and tasks include: Supervising youth in garden – implementing essential job-readiness and life skills, communicating with counselors, therapists, and other key administrators at Our House; Garden management – Seed starting, planting, weeding, irrigating, pest management, harvesting, post-harvesting sales and distribution, planning, and recordkeeping.

Applicants should have some previous experience in farming, gardening, and/or working with at-risk young people. Some administrative experience is preferred, but not required.

Internship positions are 40 hours per week. On-site housing is currently not available, but might become available in the spring free of charge.  Interns have access to produce and are welcome to eat meals with students and staff in the dormitory free of charge. Interns receive a bi-weekly stipend and 10 days paid vacation/ sick days. Public transportation to Washington, D.C. is available within 2.5 miles of the farm.

Farm Management Interns are compensated between $135 weekly, receive $150 towards professional development activities and receive an end of the season $1,000 bonus.  The farm subscribes to agricultural publications and participates in Chesapeake CRAFT, a regional farm training program with monthly farm tours.

Please forward resume and cover letter to Edwin Gould at pottergould@gmail.com and Marc Grossman at marcgrossman2001@yahoo.com. Call Marc Grossman at 202 412 5698 for more information concerning the internship.

Seeking Applicants for 2012 Season Ecosystem Farm Apprenticeship Program in Maryland

The Robert Ware Straus Ecosystem Farm is an eight-acre certified organic vegetable farm on the banks of the Potomac River in Piscataway Park located in Accokeek, Maryland. It is a part of the Accokeek Foundation’s Center for Agricultural and Environmental Stewardship (CAES), which provides farmer training and support. The apprenticeship is a main component of advancing the CAES’s mission and is centered around the farm and its daily workings, namely the fulfillment of a weekly CSA operation.

General Apprenticeship Information:

• Two apprenticeships will be available for the 2012 season.
• Positions will begin on or around March 5 and end around November 30.
• A stipend and health insurance benefits will be offered as a part of the position.
• Applications must be received by February 12, 2012, with interviews to follow. Please expect to be physically present for any interviews.

Apprenticeship Details:

• The apprenticeship program is designed for beginning farmers who have at least one season’s worth of experience and want to round out their training. Our goal is to expose apprentices to many experiences, techniques, and approaches to sustainable agriculture while accomplishing the Foundation’s work.
• Apprentices will be engaged mainly in “land-based training,” in which they will participate in all aspects of organic vegetable and small fruit production at the Ecosystem Farm. This is an intensive program, and applicants can expect to work 40-55 hours a week in all weather conditions.
• Specific on-farm training includes greenhouse production, soil preparation, planting, transplanting, use of drip irrigation, cultivation and weed control, pest control, harvesting, post-harvest handling, and CSA management.
• In addition to the daily work, apprentices will have the benefit of formal training, including field trips to other farms in the area, participation in the CAES’s workshops, and the ability to receive agricultural instruction from other institutions and individuals in the Chesapeake region.
• This position is designed for those with a serious desire to pursue farming as a way of life, and every effort will be made to provide professional support after the season is over. It should be noted that the work involved is challenging in many ways, and a strong emphasis is placed on safety and personal accountability.

 Apprentice Qualifications:

• Applicants should have at least one to two seasons’ experience in sustainable farming and a motivated desire to further this education.
• Applicants should be reliable and willing to take on and accept responsibility.
• The apprentices will be a part of the daily workings of the farm, and therefore should be physically capable and able to lift 50 lbs or more.
• Because we will be working very closely together at times, it is essential that the apprentices be capable of working well with others. The ideal candidate will also have well-developed problem solving skills.

Review application at www.accokeek.org

Please send your application (or any questions) to:

The Accokeek Foundation Ecosystem Farm
3400 Bryan Point Road
Accokeek, MD 20607
or to caes@accokeek.org

The Accokeek Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applications now being accepted for 2012 Farm Education Apprenticeships in New York at The Jewish Farm School. The Apprenticeships are held at Eden Village Camp in Putnam Valley, NY, about an hour north of NYC.

The Farm Education Apprentices are involved in a multidisciplinary program where they are both farm staff and farm educators. They will work directly with our farm manager and farm educators to participate in all aspects of the 2 acre farm: seeding, greenhouse production, soil preparation and amending, composting, cultivating, harvesting, weeding, animal care, fruit and orchard management, and tractor work.

Since our farm is only in its third season, apprentices will also have the opportunity to create and develop new facets of the farm, such as helping us start beekeeping, build grape arbors and orchards, expand flower production, research and implement alternative composting methods, or other ideas.

Click here for more information about the farm.

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: During summer camp, apprentices will lead a variety of farm-based activities and educational programs for campers of all ages, while also assisting in maintaining the daily operations of the farm, and various agricultural projects around camp. When camp is not in session, Jewish Farm School and Eden Village run a variety of educational programs on the site and the farm, including Sunday farm volunteer days, a fall harvest festival coinciding with Sukkot, and other skills workshops. Apprentices will be the lead farm educators for all of these programs.

APPRENTICE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

• Weekly seminars in organic, small scale agriculture.
• Trainings in Jewish environmental education, including the Teva Seminar.
• Participation in the Hudson Valley C.R.A.F.T. Program, a network for young organic farmers.
• Participation in various on-site workshops, such as natural building and herbal medicine.
• Field trips to various organic and educational farms in the area.

Ideal candidates will:

• Be hard working
• Be able to complete tasks in a timely manner regardless of the weather
• Be flexible, positive members of a team and community
• Show timeliness and attention to detail
• Work creatively to solve problems
• Be able to develop new educational programs and farm infrastructure
• Be familiar with the sustainable agriculture and food justice movements

Experimental curiosity is encouraged! Extensive experience is not necessary, just an eagerness to learn about small-scale, sustainable farming and Jewish agricultural education! Farming is a continuous learning process through which we meet new challenges each day, learn from our experiences, and create new and exciting methods and programs!

Note: We will begin accepting applications for the 2012 season on December 7th. We will begin interviews after January 16th. The apprenticeship runs from April 16, 2012 to October 15, 2012. Please only apply if you are available for the entire season.

Compensation: $2,000 stipend plus room and board

To apply for the Farm Education Apprenticeship, complete the form on the JFS Jobs page, and complete the full application on the Eden Village Camp website.

Farm Crew Member Job Available at Heritage Prairie Farm in Illinois, a multi-faceted business that includes over 10 acres of organically grown vegetables. All team members are expected to be dedicated to the growing methods, products, and overall success of Heritage Prairie Farm.

Department: Farm Team; Reports to: Farm Manager, Assistant Farm Manager when applicable; Consults with: Farm Manager, Director of Business Development, Assistant Farm Manager, and Market Manager; Terms of Employment: Seasonal , approximately April through October – At will employment; Overall Responsibility: To participate in all areas of commercial vegetable production.

Key Areas of Responsibility:
-Plant Starting, Weeding, Planting, Harvesting, Washing, Packing of Organically Grown Vegetables
-Keep Grounds, Facilities, Tools, and Equipment in a clean and presentable manner
-General Farm Labor

Qualifications:
-Desire and ability to work out doors in all weather conditions. We will be working in rain, snow, wind, and heat. If weather conditions are to extreme to work in we may finish days early or cancel whole days  of work at the Farm Manager’s discretion.
-Ability to do manual labor for extended periods of time.
-Positive attitude that includes commitment to Flexibility, Integrity, Service, and Teamwork.
-Previous experience working with plants or outdoors is appreciated but not required. While farming experience is not required this is not an internship and anyone interested in farming should be willing to learn as you work. Farming is production work and ability to keep up in a high paced, dynamic, labor intensive environment is a must.

To Apply: Send cover letter, resume, salary history and references to Nate@heritageprairiefarm.com.

Seeking Organic Farm and CSA Interns in Dayton, Ohio for 2012

Patchwork Gardens is currently seeking help with the day-to-day operations of the farm.  They prefer candidates who are able to work full time (40-60 hours/week) and willing to stay with them for the length of the growing season (March-November).  The right person could also have the opportunity to become a long-term partner in the farm.  They are a young farm with a lot of heart and the desire to grow so this is an exciting opportunity to learn and become a part of something big.

Major Duties Include:

o  Starting plants from seed and transplanting seedlings into the garden
o  Preparation and maintenance of garden including tilling, broadforking, spreading manure, watering, weeding and mulching
o  Harvesting, cleaning, packing, and delivering produce for our CSA, wholesale customers, and farmers’ markets
o  Sharing in responsibility of feeding, watering, and other care of chickens
o  Providing assistance with construction projects and maintenance of farm infrastructure (especially greenhouses)

Desired Qualifications: Knowledge of and experience with growing vegetables without added chemicals; Strong work ethic and desire to learn; Self-motivated and willing to take initiative; Attention to detail and efficiency; Creativity and love for a sustainable lifestyle

Compensation: Meals including fresh produce from the farm; Housing in the renovated loft of our reconstructed 100+ year old barn or in outdoor campsites; Weekly stipend starting at $200/week and increasing with length of stay and performance

Please direct your inquiries to: eat.patchworkgardens@gmail.com or (937) 835-5807. Applicants will be required to visit the farm for a working interview and trial period before signing on for the full season.

Farm job and internships are available at Moonrise Farms, located in remote central Arizona for the 2012 season. They grow in a high desert climate which is arid but temperatures are moderate. They are a small diverse farm growing a wide variety of vegetables on about 1 ½ acres. They sell most of their produce through Farmers Markets and CSA. The farm has a thriving spring seedling business in organic heirloom vegetable starts. The farm has several greenhouses and a nicely finished packinghouse. They also raise chickens for eggs, goats for dairy, and hogs for meat. Their strengths include an excellent reputation as a leading local farm, farmers knowledge, and quality produce. Their challenges include their remoteness from large markets, poorly established local food systems, and windy spring weather.

Assistant Farm Manager: Learn all aspects of running a small diverse farm. You will be expected to work with the farmer and the gain the knowledge and skills necessary to operate this small farm. Duties will include supervision of employees and volunteers to ready planting beds, plant crops, cultivate, perform pest management, harvest, clean pack and store a wide variety of vegetables. Responsible for overseeing daily livestock chores for chickens, turkeys, goats, and pigs. Responsible for getting inventory ready for delivery to CSA and markets. Responsible for direct sales at farmers markets and CSA distribution. Responsible for record keeping including harvest records, inventories, CSA tracking, sales records, and financial records. No aspect of this farm business will be unavailable for you to learn, even those activities which may happen outside the timing of your Manager position. If you want to learn how to manage a small farm, here’s a great place to start. You will be exposed to a wide diversity of agricultural ventures on a small scale, and be able to really choose those which have an interest for you. Starts March 1st-October 31st. No scheduled days off, flexible personal time. This is the same as the farmer’s schedule. This job will require well over 40 hours per week. Compensation: Room and Board plus salary awarded in keeping with the seasonal increase of farm cash flow and advancing knowledge of the Manager. Bonuses may be awarded based upon performance and profitability. Average pay without bonuses $575/mo, $4,600 for the season. Scheduled as follows: March-May $1500, June-July $1200 (bonus possible), Aug-Oct $1900 (bonus possible). Qualifications: Only applicants willing to commit for the whole season should apply. Some farm experience required. Must be energetic, hardworking, self-motivated, love farming, be an excellent communicator and able to supervise others. Candidate must be detail oriented and organized. Ideal candidate wishes to have their own farm or desires to manage a CSA.

FOR APPLICATION DETAILS AND INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTIONS CLICK “READ MORE”

Moonrise Farms Internships 2012: Interns will be given the opportunity to learn all aspects of thier particular position, through direct hands-on training as well as verbal instruction. Tutorials will be given on all the skills necessary. As an intern, you should be guided by your own interests and initiative for in-depth discussions and advanced training on any aspect which you desire to learn more about. As your knowledge and skills increase, you will be expected to teach and supervise volunteers working on the farm within your area of experience.

Greenhouse Internship Duties: Intern will learn all aspects of greenhouse management for small farm. Responsible for seeding and potting up as well as watering and temperature management for several greenhouses. Responsible to learn different seedling production for fields and retail sales. Also responsible for management of greenhouse grown produce including tomatoes and other crops. Responsible for detailed record keeping. Some transplanting to fields and/or direct sales at farmers markets may be part of your duties. This is an exciting and important part of the farm in springtime, and you’ll learn how to start many types of vegetables and herbs. We specialize in Naturally Grown heirlooms and open pollinated peppers and tomatoes. Starting March 15 ending June 15 (3 months) 5 days/ week. Qualifications: Some experience with plants strongly desired. Self-motivation, trustworthyness and attention to detail required. Compensation: Room and Board plus stipend of $250-$300/ mo. (depending upon experience).

Harvest Specialist Internship Duties: Learn all aspects of harvesting, post-harvest handling, and packing a wide variety of crops on a small farm. You will be responsible for a daily picking list and record keeping. You will also be responsible to learn the proper storage of all crops post-harvest. You will learn all aspects of packing for retail sales and CSA, and be responsible to work with others in the packinghouse and kitchen to get ready for market. Starting August 1 ending Sept 30 (2 months) 5 days/week. Qualifications: Some experience with produce helpful. Hardworking, attention to detail required. Compensation: Room and Board plus stipend of $250- $300/ mo. (depending upon experience).

Contact: Lorraine Wiesen, Moonrise Farms, HC65 Box 527026, Concho Arizona, (928)337-2466. Send resume and references to moonrisefarms@frontier.com Please specify the position you are applying for. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

Jobs available at Essex Farm in Essex, New York State. Seeking experienced and highly motivated farmers who want to joint a fast-paced and team-oriented organization in 2012. They are dedicated to providing a full diet, year round, for our CSA members.

Applications are being accepted for various positions:

Butcher – The successful candidate will be in charge of slaughtering and butchering cattle, pigs and chickens for our weekly CSA distribution.

Vegetable Farmer – The successful candidate must have a minimum of 5 years experience in seed-to-storage vegetable production. The individual will be responsible for 10-20 acres of land, purchasing of seeds, field preparation, weeding, harvesting, and crop storage. Horse experience preferred but not required. Management experience required.

Livestock Farmer – The successful candidate will be responsible for daily chores and the overall well-being of livestock on the farm, including but not limited to: chickens, pigs, cattle and horses. Practical experience with rotational grazing is required.

Draft Horse Manager – The successful candidate will coordinate use of our herd of draft horses for daily farm chores and will be responsible for their management, care and wellbeing. The draft horse manager also trains new teamsters to work with horses and farm machinery. Teamster expertise required; familiarity with horse-powered farm tools preferred.

Carpenter – The successful candidate will be responsible for building and maintaining farm infrastructure.

Farm Mechanic/Engineer – The successful candidate will create, maintain and repair farm machinery. Experience in welding, small engine repair, and general handiness required.

Grain Farmer – The successful candidate will sow, grow and harvest grain for livestock and humans and should have experience with machinery, small grain rotations, post- harvest handling and milling.

Orchardist – The successful candidate will work with exiting departments to design and plant an orchard that will supply the membership with year-round fruit. Experience with apples and/or pears required; with cherries, cane fruits, strawberries and grapes a plus.

Office manager – The successful candidate will be skilled and experienced with bookkeeping, records, payroll, and communication.

Distribution Co-ordinator – The successful candidate will be in charge of communicating with and taking care of our farm members. He or she will manage our weekly distribution, collect payments, field questions, offer suggestions and provide a voice for the 170 people who eat from our farm.

Serious interested applicants should submit three (3) professional references, cover letter, and resume of related work experience to: Essex Farm Attn: Farmer Search, 2503 Rte 22 Essex, NY 12936 e-mail: essexfarm@gmail.com

Job Listing: Groundworks Farm in Pittsford, Vermont (15 minutes north of Rutland, VT) is seeking a highly motivated, experienced, efficient, and self-starting member to join the farm team.  They are a young couple running a year-round organic farm, growing 10 acres of vegetables, pastured chicken, pastured eggs, and pastured pork for an expanding Summer and Winter CSA membership.

Responsibilities of this position include: All aspects of year-round organic vegetable production and distribution, including winter storage, growing winter greens, and winter preservation.  All aspects of care, management, and butchering of poultry, and care and management of pigs.  Management of our on-farm and delivered CSA distributions.

The successful candidate will be timely, very efficient, able to self-motivate while working alone, comfortable driving a pickup truck, tractor and delivery van, able to lift 50lbs, willing to work 50-plus hour weeks at peak season, have a car, be generally handy, and have at least 1 season of vegetable-growing experience.

This is a fast-paced work environment and there is room for the right person to take on lots of responsibility.  Pay will be commensurate with experience, starting at $800/month.  Vegetable Share, Eggs, Chicken Share, and Pork/Beef Share included.  Nice RV trailer with kitchen, bathroom, available for housing if desired. One week vacation.

There are ample opportunities to attend NOFA VT Summer Workshops, as well as the Rutland Area Farm and Food Link New Farmer Workshop Series during the season.

Please email resume along with cover letter and three references to info@groundworksfarm.com