Farm Apprenticeship Program

Intern positions are filled for 2010.
We will accept applications for 2011 starting September 31, 2010. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact us and visit during the 2010 farm season.

About the Farm:

Simple Gifts Farm is a small, diverse market farm located in Western Massachusetts. We moved our operation to a new site in 2006, and expanded production from about 5 acres in 2005 to about 10 in 2006, 12 acres in 2007 and 2008, and 15 in 2009. In 2010, we will be growing about 15 acres of crops. The new farm site is owned by North Amherst Community Farm, Inc., an organization that formed in 2005 to save the site from development. 2006 was the first year of our 150-share CSA (now 350). We also sell at the Amherst, MA farmer’s market, and sell heirloom tomatoes to our local Whole Foods Market.

Simple Gifts Farm has in the past specialized in heirloom tomatoes, garlic, and salad mix. Starting in 2004, we have been diversifying into broccoli, root crops, and other extensively-grown crops. With the new CSA, we have diversified further to supply members with a full range of produce. We have also been trasitioning to more mechanized systems for planting and cultivation. The farm has also added livestock into the mix, and practices mixed-species rotational grazing on our rotation land. The livestock operation will be expanding in 2009 to include a 200-hen laying flock, and breeding herds of sheep and pigs, and possibly broiler chickens. We also have season-extension hoophouses and a greenhouse heated by used vegetable oil that is used to produce early crops for farmer’s markets and some greens for sale during the winter.

Work Arrangements

We are seeking three interns to work from April 1st to November 15th. There may be work extending into late November or even December for one or more of the interns. The work week will consist of approximately 50 hours, with 9-hour days on weekdays, and rotating Saturday market days and evening weekday CSA staffing. We start work as early as 6 A.M., especially during the heat of summer, and tend to have more free time in the afternoon. Work outside of normal work hours will be required for some projects. For example, the apprentices will be responsible on a rotating basis for greenhouse and livestock chores, including weekends. There will also be regular evening times when interns will mind the CSA distribution or the farm stand.

The work is often very tedious, and we spend long hours in hot sun and cold rain. However, the rewards of seeing the very tangible and delicious fruits of your labors are great (at least we think so).

The apprentices will be housed at the site, in a historic farmhouse. The farm site is in Amherst, within walking distance to conservation land, a swimming hole, restaurants, other businesses. Downtown Amherst is an easy bike or bus ride away and hosts a plethora of cultural activities. Apprentices will be responsible for whatever food they need in addition to the bounty of vegetables produced at the farm.

A stipend of $600/ month will be paid to the apprentices. Basic health insurance and worker’s compensation will be provided. A higher stipend may be negotiable for applicants with at least one full season's prior farm experience.

The apprenticeship is best viewed as a work-training program, rather than an exclusively educational experience. Apprentices will have some structured and many unstructured opportunities to learn. The fact that we are a small and relatively young operation means that apprentices remain very close to the decision-making process, and will be assigned independent work assignments as they demonstrate ability to complete them well. Apprentices will find that they will gain the most if they show initiative, attention to detail, and a good work ethic. Being small also means that we all end up doing everything; so apprentices will be exposed to a diverse array of activities. The move and ongoing expansion provides both a challenge for all of us and an opportunity for apprentices to learn. Since the farmers are learning as they go, much of the thought processes behind the way the farm is set up is more transparent. Tractor work will be one of the apprentice’s responsibilities.

We are members of the CRAFT program, which brings apprentices to nearby farms for farm visits on a biweekly basis.

Positions will be filled on a rolling basis. Please send a resume and a list of at least three work references. We will contact candidates by phone or email to arrange an interview. Farm visits are strongly recommended, though phone interviews can work for those living further away.

Further Questions Contact:
Jeremy Barker Plotkin
Simple Gifts Farm
PO Box 9631
N. Amherst, MA 01059
(413) 549-1585
jpb@the-spa.com