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Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture believes farm interns and farmhands play a vital role in our sustainable-agriculture community.
This webpage offers current apprenticeship opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about sustainable agriculture through seasonal experience. Some listings are unpaid educational experiences. Others are paid farm employee positions. Each offers the aspiring farmer the ability to learn more about our sustainable-agriculture community. |
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Location: Zionville, NC Website: www.atgfarm.com/ Produced on Farm: Certified organic mixed vegetables, pasture pork and grass fed, grass finished beef Markets: We focus on four main market channels, including a weekly farmer's market, a 20 week/115-member vegetable CSA, several area restaurants, and the High Country Food Hub. Positions Available: Full-time Employment Position Descriptions: For the 2022 season, we are excited to announce five full time crew positions including a harvest assistant manager, production assistant manager, greenhouse assistant manager, compost assistant manager and livestock assistant manager. If you’re ready to work on a dynamic, creative, innovative, community-focused farm, take the next step in your farming journey and build your leadership skills, we welcome you to apply to work at ATG! All crew members will work in cooperation with co-farmers, Holly and Andy, as well as farm manager, Ben and the farm’s Biodynamic mentor, M. Time Commitment: We generally work 7:30am to 5:30pm (with an hour off for lunch) during the height of the season. We also typically work 8am to 1:30/2pm on Saturdays. The exact time commitment will vary through the season from 45-50 hours per week. The beginning of the season is very busy and as the summer progresses there is a steadier rhythm that sets in. Full time crew members will rotate through working Saturdays on the farm. Early in the season, we will need two full time crew members to work each Saturday. With five crew members total, that schedule equates to working 2 to 3 Saturdays per month. As the rhythm of the season sets in, we plan for only one full time crew member to work each Saturday, equating to working approximately one Saturday per month. Ideally, one part time crew member will also be scheduled on Saturdays, so that any tasks requiring two people will be made lighter with additional hands. We hope this allows for greater rest and recouperation time for our full-time crew, however the make-up of the crew and the unfolding of the season will ultimately determine exactly how the Saturday schedule works. Compensation: -Monthly stipend amount will be based on experience and is negotiable, but generally, we will start full time crew members (45-50 hours/week) at $1000/month. Compensation for full time crew also includes housing, produce and meat from the farm. The housing includes on-the-grid, insulated personal sleep bungalows and a common kitchen for cooking. There are composting toilets and a four-seasons insulated shower with hot water. Crew members also have access to an abundance of vegetables (seasonal and dependent on specific crop yields) and meat. The farm values room and board at $350/month. This posting does not close, rolling applications are accepted through the end of the season. Interested applicants can contact the farm for a more detailed description of the position and for an application. For an application, please visit https://www.atgfarm.com/work Contact: atgfarm@gmail.com Best Time to Contact: Anytime |
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Location:Celo, NC, outside of Burnsville NC (just over an hour from Boone) Website: https://campcelo.com/garden.htm Produced on Farm: The Camp Celo Farm includes 16 acres made up of woods, pasture and a large vegetable and flower garden. We also keep goats, cows, chickens, pigs, and rabbits. Markets: All food from our 1.5 acre garden goes directly to the camp kitchen to be prepared fresh for the campers and staff. The garden is a central part of the camp community and typically provides to the kitchen about 5,000 pounds of vegetables each summer. The garden currently utilizes organic, biodynamic, and a mix of no-till and tillage-based farming methods. Positions Available: Apprenticeship Full time April- end of August (dates flexible) Position Descriptions: The Garden Apprentice is an integral part of the seasonal staff at Camp Celo. The Garden Apprentice will work alongside the Garden Managers in all aspects of garden care and garden-related camp programming. Garden work includes seeding, weeding, bed preparation, pest and disease management, harvesting, and more. There will also be opportunities to care for the livestock. This position is designed to be an educational apprenticeship to help deepen the apprentice’s understanding of organic farming methods. Expect the work to be difficult but rewarding. During camp sessions, the Garden Apprentice will also assist Garden Managers and Counselors in hosting groups of campers through activities in the garden; some will be focused on a work task, and others will be fun, creative activities that take place in the garden. Time Commitment: This position is full time. The hours will primarily occur during the standard workweek, but will occasionally extend into the evenings or weekends depending on weather and camp scheduling. Compensation:Educational experience contributing to the apprentice’s overall knowledge of organic, biodynamic, and no-till vegetable farming systems. Access to high quality vegetables, fruits, grains, and eggs produced by the garden. During camp season (6/9 through 8/23), 3 meals per day will be served at the Camp Celo dining hall. If needed, basic lodging can be provided in a private cabin in the woods. A monthly stipend will be provided: $600 plus housing, or $800 without housing. Contact: Olivia@campcelo.com Best Time to Contact: anytime after 8 am |
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Location: Avery County/Elk Park NC Website: www.troslyfarm.com Produced on Farm: veggies & livestock Markets: Food Hub, our Farm Shop, Wholesale to restaurants/grocery Positions Available: Apprenticeship, Internship, Part-time Employment Position Description: Our apprentice and internship positions include on farm housing , food and a stipend. Our part time employment is for someone that does not need housing but needs 10-20 hours or work per week. Time Commitment: We are very flexible for our interns and apprentices but May-August would be ideal. Part time employment is also seasonal at this point in our business. (May-October) Compensation: Interns and apprentices will receive housing, food and a stipend. Part time employees would be paid hourly at a competitive rate according to experience. Contant: troslyfarm@att.net |
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Location: Independence, Virginia Website: https://www.cabinsathealingsprings.com/healing-springs-farm.htm Produced on Farm: Cattle, pigs, chickens Markets: High Country Food Hub and our Farm Store Positions Available: Apprenticeship, Internship, Part-time Employment, Full-time Employment Position Description: Join us in raising Belted Galloway cattle, heritage breed pigs, chickens and horses on 170 acres. Day to day farm chores can include care and feeding of livestock, fencing projects, building shelters and infrastructure for livestock. We also have a number of construction / renovation projects on the farm, so someone with knowledge of construction skills is always helpful. Time Commitment: This can be either a PT position (20 to 25 hours a week) or more of a FT position (35 to 40 hours a week). Compensation: Pay is DOE and we can offer housing to the right candidate as part of the compensation package. Contact: Email resume or work history and cover letter to anne_pression@hotmail.com Best Time to Contact: AM |
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Honey Tree FarmLocation: Conover, NC Produced on Farm: 40+ varieties of vegetables Markets: local restaurants, farmers markets, food hubs, chefs, & additional local farms Website: www.honeytreefarmnc.com Positions Available: Full-time Employment Position Description: Assistant Farm Manager Time Commitment: full-time, 30-40 hours per week with seasonal adjustments Compensation: $12/hr with opportunity for wage increase with skill Contact: honeytreefarmnc@gmail.com or 980-866-1384 Online application:https://www.honeytreefarmnc.com/employment/ Best Time to Contact: anytime |
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Location: Zionville and Creston, NC Website: www.shady-grove-gardens.com/ Produced on Farm: Flowers, herbs, peppers Markets: Farm direct, HC Food Hub, wholesale Positions Available: Internship, Full-time Employment Position Descriptions: Farm work, scenic location, April-November, must have transportation, Some weekend work required. Flexible scheduling. Compensation: varies with experience Requirements: We only hire vaccinated non smokers. Contact: sggarden@skybest.com Email with all contact, references and schedule availability |
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Location: Creston, NC Produced on Farm: Many varieties of vegetables, cut sunflowers, eggs, and beef. We also cut timber and sell firewood. Markets: 100 member CSA, Watauga County Farmers' Market, Food Hub Positions Available: Part-time Employment Position Description: Employees will participate in all aspects of vegetable production. From greenhouse work and propagation, to field preparation and planting, to weeding and crop maintenance, to harvest and packing for our markets. If a more full time position is desired other jobs available on the farm include mowing, splitting firewood, cutting and burning brush to clear land, and pasture maintenance. Time Commitment: Minimum 20 - 25 hours. Up to 40+ with other farm jobs. Compensation: $10 per hour. Access to vegetables in season that are abundant. Name of Contact: Will Thomas Contact: creeksongfarm@gmail.com Best Time to Contact: Before 8 PM. |
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Location: Deep Gap, NC Produced on Farm: Beef, lamb, pigs, alpacas, herbs, fruit, homemade items like cookies, sweets, granola bars, etc. Markets: At our local business Kelley Bros., at the farm, and High Country Food Hub Positions Available: Internship Position Description: Mainly helping out with taking care of the livestock and helping with farm tours. Helping out in the farm store and Internet/social media presence Time Commitment: We’re still planning out the 2022 season, we’d be very flexible with an intern as far a hours and availability. Compensation: We’d have to base it on the qualifications of the individual. Contact: christakelley@msn.com or 828-773-6429 Best Time to Contact: After 5:00 Monday- Friday or anytime on weekends |
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Location: Vilas, NC Website: https://www.wataugabutchery.com Produced on Farm: Animal processing center Markets: Watauga Butchery is a USDA inspected facility that focuses primarily on serving beef and other meat producers who serve retail or wholesale customers distributed under their own meat handlers’ license. Positions Available: Meat Packer and Cleaner Position Descriptions: DUTIES INCLUDE: • Primary duty would be cleaning and sanitizing the shop at the end of each cutting day • Packaging and labeling meat • Loading & unloading boxes • Daily cleanup of cutting room and equipment • Assisting meat cutters as needed in lifting, moving and handling carcasses • Ability to lift up to 80 pounds 5-10 times per day PERSONAL SKILLS: Strong work ethic with a willingness to participate in and successfully complete required training and to work with the team. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Repetitive hand/arm movements, grasping, bending, reaching, ability to lift, push or pull up to 80 pounds by oneself, exposure to extreme temperatures • Ability to use tools equipment: ladders, stepstools, box cutters, pallet jacks, and other equipment • Required to spend long periods of time on feet and stand or walk. WORK ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this job, the team member constantly works in a cool environment with an average temperature range of -10 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts • The team member is frequently exposed to extreme cold when moving finished product in and out of the freezer • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud. Compensation: $10 to 12 per hour Time Commitment: full time, long term work Contact: Call 828-484-1872 or email sydney@shipleyfarmsbeef.com Best Time to Contact: Monday - Friday 9 to 3 |
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Location: Millers Creek, NC Website: www.tumblingshoalsfarm.com Produced on Farm: A diverse array of certified organic fruits and vegetables. Markets: Watauga County Farmers Market, Hickory Farmers Market, Charlotte Farmers Market, 220 member CSA, occasionally the food hub Positions Available: Full-time Employment Position Descriptions:Farm employees will do everything from propagation, to transplanting, to cultivation and trellising, to mulching, to mowing, to harvesting and washing and packing to selling at farmers' market. Employees will also participate in some planning and management and will be able to run the farm effectively as a team by September when they return from their paid vacations. Time Commitment: Full-time employment. 40 hours/week beginning March 28th. End dates are more flexible, but guaranteed through September and a couple of people through November. Compensation: $10.50/hour starting wage (roughly $1680/month if you’re comparing it to a stipend), raises happen based on performance-yours and the farm's. Lodging is included including electricity in private cabins, electricity, propane, and water in shared kitchen, bathrooms and laundry facilities. Employees can harvest and eat anything from the farm at any time, though we encourage them to consider peak harvest windows for any kind of canning or freezing activities. http://www.tumblingshoalsfarm.com/working-at-tumbling-shoals-farm Contact: farmer@tumblingshoalsfarm.com or (336)-452-2920 Best Time to Contact: Anytime, until March, then email is best. |