Whole Circle Farm

Ecological Farming Internship Opportunities at Whole Circle Farm

If you’re ready for a full, hands-on experience that will immerse you in ecological farming then you’ve come to the right place. A farming internship experience can change your life! Whether your dream is to have your own organic farm one day or you just want to learn some food-growing and hands-on skills that can be applied in other parts of your life, a farming internship is a powerful experience that will help you grow as a person and equip you with the tools and insights to make a real difference in the world. Ecological farming internships are very demanding, highly rewarding opportunities!

Duration: March, April, May (staggered start) – end of November

Available Opportunities:

• Whole Circle Farm is seeking up to five interns to work in our ~10 acre vegetable garden for the 2017 season. Interns will participate in general fieldwork pertaining to all aspects of growing organic vegetables from seeding in the greenhouse, transplanting seedlings, weeding, harvesting, post-harvest handling, selling at farmers’ markets, hosting CSA pick-ups, processing food for the winter, working with various farm machinery, and more. This internship experience focuses on vegetable production, however opportunities to work with our vegetable seed production projects and pastured livestock can be made available for those who are interested.

• Whole Circle Farm is seeking one intern to work primarily with our mixed pastured livestock. This intern will provide care for the livestock under the guidance of the farm managers (which includes, but is not limited to, daily chores, putting up and taking down fencing, moving animals to/from daily pasture, working on various infrastructure projects, and more). This internship experience focuses on livestock care and requires comfort with independent task assignments, and also includes opportunities to work in a team in the vegetable garden, especially during high workload times (such as harvest days). Opportunities to work with our seed production projects can be made available for those who are interested.

Work Schedule and Compensation

While the hours will vary through the season, one can expect to work approximately 55-60 hours / week.

• Stipend of $200 / month
• Room (includes private room in shared house or private trailer, utilities, phone, internet, laundry)
• Board (organic food sourced as locally as possible)
• Shared access to the farm vehicles
• Seven paid vacation days
• Two paid personal days (for attending appointments, etc.)
• Two paid professional development days (for attending workshops, courses, etc.)
• Educational opportunities throughout the season including field trips, CRAFT days, in-field experiential education and seminar-style sessions on particular topics (including selling at farmers markets, seed saving & production, pasturing livestock, farm machinery, biodynamics, preserving, and more!)

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Excellent communication skills
• Strong work ethic
• Collaborative and reliable team player with other interns, farm volunteers, garden staff, garden managers and farm managers
• Openness and commitment to learning about ecological farming
• Ability to take and follow direction from supervisors
• Ability to practice good time management
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently
• Most work tasks are performed outdoors – must be able to work outside in a variety of weather conditions for long hours performing various tasks
• Ability to lift 50lbs for short periods of time

Assets

• Experience on a comparable market garden farm, growing for CSA and markets
• Experience working with pastured livestock
• Experience with Non-Violent Communication
• Experience with tractors and implements associated with vegetable production

To apply:

Please send a resume, cover letter, and two workplace references to Johann Kleinsasser (wholecirclefarmcsa at gmail dot com). The addition of two communal living references is welcome but not required.

Please feel free to contact us for more information:

Email: wholecirclefarmcsa at  gmail dot com

Ph.: 519.856.1384