HARBINGER Farm- Full for 2024
POSITIONS: 1-2 Apprenticeships
1 FULL TIME (30-40 hrs/week) or 2 PART TIME (20-30 hrs/week)
APPROX START/END DATES: April - October
LOCATION: Myrtle Creek (Umpqua Valley)
NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED
VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes
ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Preferred, but not imperative.
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English.
Harbinger Farm is located about 10 miles (15 minutes) outside of Myrtle Creek. Property owners, Matt and Lucie, are the sole residents, operating the farm business out of their home. The property itself is 12 acres in total with 2 acres currently in crop production. It has about an acre of cultivated space dedicated to annual row crops, the rest being a fruit tree orchard and other perennials which were planted when they bought the property in 2020. North Myrtle Creek runs through the property, leaving about 500 ft of creek frontage–the creek runs year round and is a great place to cool off in the summertime. As of 2023, the farm also began leasing a field from a neighbor down the road, increasing production space by another half acre.
The farm currently raises annual vegetable, fruit and herb crops–a versatile assortment of 70+ items over the course of the growing season. Value-added products are also produced when time and quantity permits, including cottage foods, vegetable ferments and dehydrated goods.
Harbinger Farm vends at two farmers markets, offers a 25-week CSA, and wholesales to a local restaurant.
The only time mechanization is utilized is during bed-prep when a walk-behind tractor does some mowing, shallow tillage and bed-shaping. Otherwise weeding, cultivation and harvest is all done by hand. Field blocks are cover cropped over-winter and crop families are rotated between seasons. All transplants are started from seed in a propagation nursery on-site and a total of 6,500 sq.ft. of field tunnel space will be utilized for row crop cultivation in 2024.
Matt and Lucie serve as the core farm crew. An apprentice would fill an assistant position to them in almost all necessary field tasks. A handful of volunteers and/or work traders may join for harvest days or big projects during peak season.
Matt and Lucie share over a decade of previous farming and marketing experience combined and were duly inspired by the rewarding nature of the lifestyle, enough to find their own land to tend. Harbinger Farm was founded in March 2020 and the couple immediately began breaking ground and creating growing space. They joined the winter market in Myrtle Creek that November and have continued marketing while expanding their business ever since.
Harbinger Farm’s main goal is to successfully grow a wide variety of seasonal foods without the use of pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers. We believe that our environment shouldn’t suffer from our cultivation of this space, it should only benefit and flourish because of it. Our intent is to let the seasonal changes in our natural surroundings signal our actions, allowing the earth’s cycle to determine the unique timing for the growing season. While keeping permaculture methods in mind, we wish to find balance between stewarding the land with thoughtfulness and care while also maximizing its growing potential so we can serve more outlets within the local community.
TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS
An Apprentice would receive a relatively well-rounded hands-on experience, encompassing most aspects of small-scale produce farming. The bulk of their hours logged will be spent on field production-related tasks, including but not limited to seeding, planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvesting, washing/packing and taking inventory. Heavy equipment usage is limited; however, an apprentice would certainly be trained to use the BCS walk-behind tractor, if interested. Farm business management methods will be conveyed when it comes time for decision making regarding crop planning, weather and climate, seasonal production trends, market demands, etc.
Being that we are operating a newly-established farm, there is much value to be gleaned from learning the progression of a small-scale farm in “real-time”. An apprentice would have the opportunity to actively engage as we grow our business, develop new systems, problem solve and overcome challenges for the first time, capturing a unique involvement that can only be enhanced by our varied previous farming experiences.
An Apprentice should expect to work maximum hours in the given range (depending on full or part time) per week during peak season (May-September) and closer to the minimum hours in the range per week on the front and tail ends. Ideally, hours per day and days per week would be flexible depending on fluctuating needs. However, if a set schedule is preferred, that can also be arranged. On average, one should expect to complete 8-hour workdays. During peak season, the expected daily start time would be 8am. Time off should be requested as far in advance as possible, but at least two weeks prior. No more than three consecutive days off will be allowed during peak season (unless an exception is agreed upon during the interview process). All time required for RFC training/events off-site, including commuting, will be gladly accommodated.
Introduction to the farm will take place initially, including lay of the land, basic farm practices and principles, familiarity with mentors, and general expectations. Detailed training will occur with each new task, even if the Apprentice has prior experience. Guaranteed demonstration of assigned duties and continually working alongside the apprentice until both parties are confident in adequate completion of the task at hand. The teaching of core concepts will take place over appropriate periods of time, with mentors helping the apprentice hone their skills and become comfortable in their position as they acquire more knowledge and experience.
Questions and constructive feedback will be welcome at all times. Field walks will occur each week after days off. Check-ins will take place monthly. Evaluation sessions will be scheduled at the end of the 30-day trial period and again around the end of September.
QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants with previous farm experience preferred, but not required–as long as the desire to learn and motivation to excel is clearly present.
Outdoor physical work experience is a must–our summer daytime temps average between high 80s and low 100s.
Ability to comfortably lift and carry 50 lbs is required, accompanied by repeatedly bending, kneeling, squatting and standing throughout the day.
Adeptness at learning new skills while pertaining the ability to override previous learned experiences with newfound direction.
Exhibits attention to detail and thoughtful predictability.
Exercises strong listening, comprehension and communication skills.
Ambition to pursue a demanding lifestyle and arduous career path within an industry struggling against countless social and environmental challenges.
Appreciation for and respect of natural science and organic chemistry.
Practices a favorable attitude and a pragmatic outlook; is flexible, adaptable, open minded, down-to-earth and easy-going in nature.
COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS
$14/hour to start with opportunity for increase over the course of the season according to performance, plus access to ample farm-produced food (seconds) to take home each week.
Housing is not provided. Opportunities are available for rent in our neighborhood, Myrtle Creek and the surrounding area, including Roseburg.
There is no cell service within about 5 miles of the property; however, wi-fi connectivity is available within 20ft of the private residence.
Introducing an apprentice to other local farmers in the area is absolutely intended–especially to some who are raising livestock and/or different crops, such as cut flowers. They would certainly be welcome to attend local farmers markets and other networking opportunities and, depending on their scope of interests, we will assist in making connections with persons involved in the local food system.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Folks from all walks of life are welcome to join our farm crew–as long as we share the same drive and determination for the work, how we got here doesn’t matter. We strive to treat every person we encounter with dignity and respect, with our only expectation being to receive the same from them in return. Simply put, discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.
Lucie and Matt Day with doggo Zevon