Massachusetts

01 - This is a 50-acre farm with a 72’ high-tunnel greenhouse and about 3 acres of native highbush blueberries, black currants, raspberries, and strawberries that produces value-added products and attends farmers’ markets.

 Work to be done includes picking and processing berries, greenhouse work, weeding, pruning, transplanting, sales at farmers’ markets, delivery of products to stores, in-store demonstrations, and optional poultry care.

 We need one or two apprentices from April through October, with a minimum of six weeks during this period.

 Accommodations include a private bedroom on the second floor, shared bath, veggies and all crops being grown, some shared meals, and a potential stipend depending on experience and commitment.

 The farm is near miles of hiking trails with a beach within walking or biking distance. Owner is a graduate in landscape design with horticulture, perennial/ornamental plant science background and an MS in conservation biology.  There is optional paricipation in beekeeping on-site, as well.

 02 - This nine-acre Baystate-organic-certified CSA grows varied vegetables, herbs, and blueberries with livestock including pigs, goats, chickens, sheep, rabbits and Dapple the donkey as a guard.

 We’re looking for one apprentice from early March to November 1^st.  Duties include pruning and mulching blueberries, preparation for planting, planting in greenhouse and fields, weeding, harvesting and packaging for CSA pickup, animal care and general maintenance of buildings and structures.

 Accommodations include room and board in upstairs bedroom and shared bathroom, with stipend negotiable depending on skills and commitment.

 Educational opportunities include learning on our full working farm; animal husbandry, milking dairy goats and cheese-making and some biodynamics.

We cooperate with several local farms and provide opportunities to meet  and visit with other area farms.   Colchester Neighborhood Farm is located one hour from Boston and Cape Cod.

03 - Indian Line Farm is one of the first CSA farms in the US, located in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Massachusetts.  The farm is a total of 17 acres, growing mixed organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers on 4-5 acres.  Remaining land is either in pasture or green manures.  The farm is a land trust owned by the Community Land Trust in the South Berkshires.  (Please see www.schumachersociety.org for more information on the legal arrangements.)  We have a 140-member CSA and go to the Great Barrington Farmers’ Market every Saturday, June-October.  We also sell to a few retail stores and restaurants.

 Work to be done includes: seeding, planting, harvesting, cultivating with hand tools, and greenhouse management. In addition, apprentices will work in the distribution room on a rotating schedule, help out at the farmers’ market, and oversee volunteers who come to the farm. The workweek is approximately 40 hours.

We are looking for 1 apprentice from June through September In exchange for working, apprentices receive accommodations and some meals will be shared with the farmers by rotating cooking responsibilities. The wage is $8.00/hr. We are a member of the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training program (CRAFT), and apprentices gather ten times during the season for extensive farm tours and additional training. In addition, we try to have one-on-one sessions with apprentices on topics of agricultural interest.

 04 - We have a beautiful farm on the south coast of Massachusetts surrounded by history.  Our 50 acres has been farmed since 1680, and the large, comfortable farm house was built in 1718, with a sunny kitchen added in 2005. Located in a thriving college town, we are 5 minutes to the ocean, 50 miles to Boston, and 25 miles to both Cape Cod and Providence, RI.

 We cultivate a variety of fruits and vegetables that are sustainably grown.  We host a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) at our farm, and have 397 members.  We attend 14 farmers markets each week, many on Cape Cod.  We proudly partner with a community health center in a cutting edge inner city market/CSA in an urban Boston neighborhood that would not usually have access to good quality, fresh food.

 Andy Pollock has used his knowledge and experience to create new local markets. He has also collaborated in unique ways with area farms and organizations to increase public awareness of the importance of locally grown and sustainable agriculture in Massachusetts & Rhode Island.

 Apprentices will learn how Silverbrook Farm has fostered partnerships with health facilities, universities, and high schools.  They will also learn how Andy has involved the surrounding community in farm life and understanding where their food comes from and where it should not come from.

 Apprentices will actively participate in the full year farm cycle from planning and implementation to harvesting, safely controlling pests and preparing fields for winter.  They will be exposed to the science, economics and philosophy of sustainable farming as well as the politics and process of starting and managing a farmers market or CSA.  We also offer learning opportunities with other local farms, cheese producers and non-profit agricultural support organizations.

 Work can be physically demanding at times and may include planting, cultivating, irrigating, mulching, weeding, harvesting, helping with farmers markets and the CSA, feeding our free range hens, occasional light building maintenance and petting our dog Chloe.  The opportunity to learn beekeeping is also available.  Applicants must be capable of lifting 50 pounds ! 

 We provide knowledge, experience, room and board in exchange for the required 35 hour work week.  Additional hours may be asked of you but will be compensated at the rate of $9.00 - $11.00 per hour commencing after the 2^nd week of the apprenticeship.    Lodging is in our home with your own bedroom.  We must have your commitment for the entire growing season, March through November.  (Specific dates in those months are negotiable.)  Some days can be long.

 Food is provided.  Apprentices are required to plan and cook at least one evening meal each week (With the assistance of the host and other volunteers and apprentices if needed.) and to help with household chores!  A washing machine and clothesline are available for your use free of charge.  The house has Wi-Fi for your use.   (No computer is available for your use!)  No children or pets and no smoking in the house.   Drivers License and your own transportation required.       

 Application process includes:

1.          Your email contact which will be followed up by our email or a telephone call.

2.         Letter of intent to include: 

A.      Why you want this experience.

B.      What you hope to learn. 

C.     What strengths you can bring to the farm.

3.          Resume’

4.         Two references with emails or phone numbers.

5.         Proposed dates for interview visit.   (A two day working farm visit is required.)

 We are seeking energetic, hard working folks with a positive attitude that can work and socialize well on a team!  We work hard, but take time to play as well!