Guyon Springs

GUYON SPRINGS 

• POSITION: 1-2 APPRENTICESHIPS

• PART TIME (30 hrs/week)

• APPROX START/END DATES: 4/1 - 11/1

• LOCATION: Dayville (Eastern Oregon)

• ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes.

• ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Preferred.

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English. Elementary Spanish. 

We grow a variety of produce focusing heavily on three crops: garlic, peppers and chiles, and purple corn. We also grow lettuce and will make this one of our main crops for the summer of 2024. We also grow a variety of other produce for market and a small CSA and market, plus flowers and herbs. We have a 1/3 acre field that supports 36 beds, standard 50’by 33”. We hope to expand to 52 beds. This field, as well as the hay field, is watered by hand lines off the irrigation ditch. The flower and herb beds are in a different field and are watered by the well using drip irrigation.

We sell our garlic and chillies to customers in our community who pre-order and buy from our store or markets. We have many value-added items such as roasted chillies, pickled vegetables, jams, garlic braids, dried and fresh flowers, chili ristras, etc. We will be selling lettuce to two local restaurants for the summer of 2024. We have a goal of a 10 person CSA for the 2024 season. Previously we have had five subscriptions. We attend 4 markets a year, and sell from our store for other outlets. 

We are no-till and biodynamic. We use hand tools for most of our farming. Twice a year we rent a tractor to manage compost made by our two donkeys and two horses. We use cover crops, mulch and black plastic covering to manage our beds. 

Our farm crew has been two part time people (20 hrs. A week each) May-October. 

We are on the confluence of Conner Creek and the South Fork of the John Day river. Our fields are in an alluvial plain and we have five irrigated acres. Our property encompasses 120 acres, and it is  very dynamic in terms of topography. The top of the property is 1,200 ft. above the farmed portion. We live on an off-grid property that sits on the hillside above the farm and has a shared property line. There are numerous springs on the property, and a pond and a creek. Most of the 120 acres is steep hillside with wide ridges. Juniper and sagebrush cover the upper regions.  The farm has a house, barns, farm store and kitchen. Housing is available for interns in the farm house. 

Dayville is a community of 120 people. The closest, largest population center is John Day, 30 miles up river. We live three miles from public land on the South Fork of the John Day river; one mile from the confluence of the main stem. The river is our main recreation outlet, along with hiking and biking trails.

Jim and Kerri have been farming off grid on our property above the farm for 10 years. We live on a spring (no well) and use holding tanks for water. We acquired the property below in March of 2020, and have built and managed it for production since then.

Jim is a science, agriculture, and Computer Technology Engineering teacher in high school and has knowledge of no-till systems. He is also interested in native plants, and growing for government reforestation projects. 

Kerri is the business owner and also a high school English teacher. She grew up on a farm and enjoyed learning alongside Jim how to grow food in this desert environment. We both value community and growing produce that has as little impact on the land as possible while producing nutrient dense food. We have been in operation since 2021, expanding a little each year. 

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Tasks to be done include but are not limited to: bed building, compost management, planting, transplanting, cultivating, harvesting, washing packing, delivering, processing value added products, animal care, mowing living pathways in our vegetable plot, and managing water and irrigation. We train and work alongside employees several days a week while our teaching schedules allow. 

We expect employees to work five days a week, six to eight hours a day on all areas of the farm. We divide our time on hot days into 2 shifts: a seven a.m. to noon shift, then a five to seven shift.

We meet in the morning to assess needs and decide what tasks to be accomplished. In the early season this is bed prep, planting, cultivating etc. We discuss longer projects and make sure we are tending toward the steps of production and sales. We demonstrate best practices with the goal of training for independence. Apprentices will grow into working solo on the farm for several days out of the week, as we teach until June and go back to work in late August. 

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

$15/hr. Also, of course produce and community camaraderie as perks! 

There is on-farm housing. We ask $500.00/month for rent for a bedroom in the farmhouse.  

We purchased the farm below us in 2020, and it has a nice house with two bedrooms. The house actually has four bedrooms, but we use the back part of the house for the business. For example, we have an office and a room that has freezers and some benches for starts, and another room where we store our furniture from the wall tents we use as seasonal Airbnbs. The front of the house has two bedrooms and a bathroom and kitchen.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for someone who loves the process of farming and being outdoors, with good communication / listening skills, willingness to learn, good mechanical skills, a commitment to agriculture, and lastly someone who enjoys animals and small communities.

An ability to thrive in a remote, rural, high desert environment and work independently is required.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

On our farm we all share in the work. This means we take turns doing all jobs understanding some are more fun than others. We are big on communication, assessing progress, and making sure everyone is heard. We have a great community that welcomes and includes everyone. For example, we host a weekly potluck where we feature our produce and a wood fired oven. For us, in this region, social justice looks like giving space for everyone, not just those who look or think like us. That being said, we are not always supportive of the industrial cattle ranching out here that depletes the beautiful John Day river each year. Likewise we do not support government efforts to subsidize Juniper cutting for rangeland habitat. We try to provide education for this unique environment. We are the only commercial organic growers in Grant and Wheeler counties, and we want to show that we have an imagination when it comes to growing food in this beautiful but challenging climate.

The Latshaw Family.

Saur Farming

SAUR FARMING

• POSITION: 1 APPRENTICESHIP 

• FULL TIME (40 hrs/week) 

• APPROX START/END DATES: mid April - mid Nov

• LOCATION: Hood River (Portland Area)

• NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

• ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Strongly preferred.

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English.

Anastasia and Ben started Saur Farming in 2011 just outside of Hood River, Oregon. After four seasons we moved up the valley to Parkdale, where we have been farming since. We farm on 10 acres; 2 acres in veggie production, 2 in pasture, and 5 in forest. We provide produce and cut flowers to our local thriving Farmers Market, a small CSA, and to many restaurants and wholesale customers in the area. 

Our goal has been to build healthy community through healthy soil and food. We farm using organic methods but are not certified. Cover crops, compost, and ecological habitat projects help to maintain soil health and biodiversity.

We use draft horses for many tasks around the farm including soil preparation and cultivation, compost and manure spreading, forest management, etc. We also use a BCS walk-behind tractor for mowing and final bed preparation.

Our fields of veggies are farmed intensively using much hand work. We are a detail oriented farm crew that strive to do good work; we value clean rows and high quality crops. In order to make a living farming, us and our crew must be efficient in all we do; working intently, smartly, and quickly is the name of the game. 

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Our crew members will be doing nearly everything on the farm, including  soil and bed prep, transplanting, trellising, weeding, harvesting, manure management, wash & pack, etc. We do not require previous experience, but we do require that staff come with an attitude that is ready to learn and continually progress in their skills and tasks. You will learn a ton about organic systems, small scale efficiency, and the thousand day to day tasks it takes to run a small vegetable farm.

Our staff does not work with the horses on a daily basis, but they do interact with them at times throughout the season. 

The work will be full time during the main season (May through mid November), with possible part-time work before and after. Expect lots of manual labor: lifting, carrying, bending, shoveling, etc. Staff needs to be able to lift and carry 50lb bags repeatedly. We work outside all day long throughout the season, so being able to work joyfully in all weather is essential. We are a small, tight crew where each member is a large part of what makes this farm function and if staff doesn’t show up for work the entire farm suffers. We can accommodate some time off requests, but that should be the exception not the rule, come ready to work.

Training and teaching will consist of daily morning meetings, in field instruction, as well as weekly check-ins to ensure the apprentice is understanding the week’s work. You will be learning from the farmers as well as our crew leader. There will be monthly ‘classes’ for bigger picture teaching that will address the seasonal dynamics of the farm and general organic farm practices. We love to teach and encourage our staff to ask questions and be inquisitive. 

We also have seasonal employee reviews where we give feedback on job performance as well as provide time to listen to each staff member. 

We take ‘field trips’ throughout the season to either do something fun or to go check out other farms in the area. We work hard but laugh a lot and have a great time. You will feel like family by the end of the season.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

Starting wage is $15.50/hr with reviews and probable raises throughout the season. We also offer bonuses throughout the season based on performance, and an end of year bonus for those who finish out the season. 

No housing offered. Housing in this area can be challenging (expensive), but we do know a lot of people in the area and can help to find something.

QUALIFICATIONS

Apprentices must have good communication skills, stable mental health, the ability to follow directions and take feedback (not always positive). Attention to detail, good physical abilities, and an overall pleasant demeanor and good attitude is mandatory. You must work well with a team and show up everyday with a desire to learn and do good work. 

Communication is a key component for how our farm is run. We communicate our expectations and instructions and expect our crew to be communicating with us. 

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Farming on a small & sustainable scale often attracts people from different backgrounds and marginalized communities, everyone is welcome here.

Anastasia and Ben.

Saurfarming.com

Sunbow Produce- FULL FOR 2024

Sunbow ProducE- FULL FOR 2024

• POSITION: 2 APPRENTICESHIPS 

• PART TIME (20-25 hrs/week) 

• APPROX START/END DATES: March/April-December

• LOCATION: Corvallis (Willamette Valley)

• NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes.

• ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Yes.

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: Spanish, English. Fully fluent in both. 

We grow certified organic (OTCO) fruits, vegetables, pulses, and herbs through a customer direct e-newsletter and online store. We sell at the Philomath Farmers Market and provide weekly distribution through Linn-Benton Food Share through two channels. We practice a model of stewardship regarding soil, water and land use. Much of our field work is done by hand but we do use tractors for field prep, mowing, harrowing, tillage (spading, rototilling), spreading mulch, moving compost, and some weeding. We teach and encourage ergonomic practices to keep our bodies in good working condition. We do not employ mechanical harvesting, it’s all by hand with the exception of potatoes. Our fertility program includes deliberate rotations, cover cropping, mulching with leaves, and using minimal purchased inputs. Our farm crew consists of Yadira and Nate plus two to three part-time employees and occasional work-trade helpers who are compensated with our farm currency, Sunbacks. We have a comprehensive liability insurance policy and carry workers comp insurance. Our business is licensed in Oregon, we do not distribute out of state. 

We have two locations. The main one is at Sunbow Farm, a 14 acre property located on the outskirts of Corvallis and Philomath. We farm between 3-5 acres at Sunbow depending on the year. There are fields, 6 high tunnels, an orchard, a lot of wildlife habitat, a few old barns and some old crumbling out-buildings. There’s a house, a bathroom building, a market room and a pack/wash area as well as a cob structure. Four people reside here, including us. 

The other location is in Philomath in a residential area. It’s approx 3 acres that are gated and fenced and is part of a larger residential plot managed by the owner. Our leased zone includes a greenhouse and access to the fields.

Sunbow Farm was established in 1972, we took on management and created Sunbow Produce in 2015. We’ve both been farming between 10-12 years including some volunteer work and internships/apprenticeships. Before we became farmers, Yadira worked in a social justice/social services agency and Nate worked for the State of Washington. We came to this farm independently and met here. We’re devoted to organic and regenerative practices, and are certified by both Oregon Tilth and the Real Organic Project. 

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

● All-season growing techniques in high/low tunnels: bed prep, annual crop planting, harvesting, and maintenance of crops and infrastructure. 

● Perennial crop harvesting and maintenance 

● Soil conservation and water management; irrigation techniques; water catchment 

● Dry farming techniques 

● Wildlife conservation and coexistence; pest management in an organic operation; agro-ecological practices 

● Field work: weeding with tools and by hand; harvesting; prepping beds for transplanting; transplanting, planting; clearing beds; setting up protection (low tunnels, bird netting, etc.); installing, maintaining, moving, and removing irrigation; seeding cover crops 

● Highly diversified crop production, identification, and management 

● Consumer-direct marketing techniques and farm stand/farmers market work

• Time management/efficiency/work pace

 ● Harvest, wash and pack skills

● Food safety standards and management 

● Equipment and infrastructure maintenance 

● Possible tractor operation depending on the person 

● Small equipment operation (weed whacking, root washer operation, water pump problem solving) 

● Seed saving 

The first 4-6 weeks will be hands-on training with one or both of us. Independent tasks will be assigned after a successful training period. The work week will change with the seasons but is likely to start with two days/week and expand to up to 5 days/week. Lunch times will be 60 minutes regardless of the time of year.

Slower season: exertion is expected to be medium high with decent pace. Labor is medium. Harvest, wash, pack and deliver orders twice a week; field work two to three days a week. Minimum of two consecutive days off can be expected during the slower parts of the season. 

Busy season: exertion is high with a fast pace. Labor is heavy, a lot of repetitive work and heavy lifting. Farm managers work 7 days/week. 

Harvest, wash, pack and deliver three days a week; field work three days a week; farmers market and farm stand once a week. During the months of August-October harvesting becomes part of daily field work and is performed by all crew members. All crew members are expected to be present for all shifts during the busy season with the exception of illness. 

On excessively hot days, there will be unpaid time off during the hottest part of the day. Schedules will be adjusted in order to avoid heat stress but still get work done. This may mean early starts and late endings.

Evaluation will be based on performance, consistency, availability, and reliability. We will provide hands-on training, engage in frequent discussion, and provide opportunities to practice. Daily feedback will be given during the training period. In-person check-ins will be done as needed but minimally, at three and six months. We encourage apprentices to let us know when they need to discuss progress, interests, etc.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

$14.20-$16/per hour to start, depending on prior experience. A weekly produce stipend of $30, plus additional access to produce seconds when available 

Occasional farm-ily meals and gatherings will be offered but are not mandatory.

Access to personal growing space as long as there are no conflicts with time and resources (watering schedule, tool use, etc.) 

The farm will pay for up to $100 for local workshops per apprentice.

Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a management or crew boss position with us. 

We provide basic equipment (tools) required for work and have loaner rain gear and rubber boots depending on shoe size.

No on-farm housing is offered, but we are more than willing to help find affordable housing within our community (with people we know and trust). 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Enthusiasm, eagerness, and self-respect. Curiosity, resourcefulness, and grit. Drive, desire to learn, desire to excel, attention to detail, investment in the operation (emotional, not financial), food systems interest, food, land and social justice. Excellent communication skills, good boundary setting. 

• Applicants must be able to: 

• Lift 50 pounds safely and regularly 

• Follow directions 

• Ask questions 

• Spend extended periods of time doing repetitive work such as standing, crouching, kneeling, etc. 

• Understand how to work safely around a tractor, within old buildings and crowded spaces. Be willing to get dirty 

• Use equipment as directed and utilize suggestions for best ergonomic practices Respect all crew members 

• Problem solve 

• Avoid using violence, both physically and verbally 

• Avoid using alcohol, drugs (including marijuana) and cigarettes during work shifts. Arrive sober, free of any intoxicants and fully functional to all assigned shifts. Arriving incapacitated in any way will not be tolerated as it could be a safety issue.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We welcome everyone, and do our best to engage with people positively and directly. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and are reasonable people who respect others and expect the same. 

We host Growing Ancestral Roots, a BIPOC organization of growers, providing them a high tunnel to further their efforts and grant them access to other parts of the farm during the main season. We connect people who have been disadvantaged and are looking for land access to resources and opportunities whenever we can. 

We provide hands-on job training to young adults who have disabilities through a school district program. 

We acknowledge that Oregon was home to Indigenous people well before white settlers arrived. 

We often find ourselves having open discussions about the intersection of race, class, history, policy and access. 

Yadira and Nate.

www.sunbowproduce.com

Camas Swale- FULL FOR 2024

Camas Swale- FULL FOR 2024

• POSITION: 2 APPRENTICESHIPS 

• FULL TIME (36-40 hrs/week) 

• APPROX START/END DATES: April/May - Oct/Nov

• LOCATION: Eugene (Willamette Valley)

• NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

• ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Visit preferred, or video interview if necessary.

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, some staff competency in Spanish and French.

Camas Swale is owned by Amber and Jonah. Our farm grows vegetables for wholesale (grocers, restaurants, food hubs, distributors) and for Community Supported Agriculture (200-250 CSA families per year). With about 14 acres in rotation– about 10 acres are producing food at any time during the main season. To get this work done we use hand tools and four small tractors. We use a John Deere, a Kubota, an Allis Chalmers and a Farmall– the latter two are from the 1930s and have belly mounted implements for cultivating. The JD and Kubota pull primary soil working tools, we mostly use a spader and bed shaper for that. The JD has forks to move pallets around the farm which saves our backs! However most of the work is still done by hand. All harvesting is by hand and about half of the cultivation is with a variety of hoes. We are certified organic with Oregon Tilth and have always grown with awareness of organic because we value and enjoy use of natural materials, growing habitat for beneficials, cover cropping and not being around harsh chemicals! During the work week six to ten employees work on the farm from 8:00 - 5:30. In addition, about four volunteers are on the farm two mornings per week.

Our sixteen acre farm is located in the Willamette Valley of Oregon on river bottom loam. We are grateful to be located just 1 mile north of Coburg and 15 minutes to Eugene. All three of our neighbors have similar sized farms selling produce, nursery crops and/or flowers. You can see the Coburg hills from our fields and a big open sky. Migratory birds and birds of prey frequent the farm as well as small animals– some friend, some foe of the vegetable crops. We are a few miles from swim spots on the Mckenzie River. Owners Jonah and Amber along with their two children aged three and seven live on the farm. 

Jonah and Amber started farming on a small-scale farm, following bio-intensive methods of production yielding a high value per acre but it was intense on our bodies. Utilizing a mix of human power and tractor power has worked better for our staff and our bodies over the last ten years, while also meeting soil health goals. We keep a close eye on soil organic matter percentages, using our tillage implement minimally and returning plants to the soil through cover cropping, working past crops into the field, and through applying compost. Interests of owners besides being parents are, well– when we have time, we go on a hike or find the newest restaurant in town or see a music show or spend time with friends and family. 

The farm has a family friendly environment while also maintaining work efficiency, as this is a commercial production farm. There tend to be common interests amongst staff including appreciation for music and outdoor sports, and always a respect and support for one another regardless of race or gender identity. Diverse skills and people are very welcome. We often find that passionate workers have super strengths in at least one important area and we match skills with the task as possible – such as seeding or CSA packing.

Camas Swale Farm sprouted in 2009. The farm has operated from this location since 2015. Jonah and Amber both started farming about 20 years ago, as employees for other organic produce farms.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Everyone learns planting, cultivation, harvesting, washing/packing, and use of relevant tools. Rogue Farm Corps Apprentices will also get exposure to seeding, irrigation and some farm business management skills. Depending on strengths and interests of the Apprentice and the farm’s needs, staff often have the opportunity to take on special duties once adapted to the farm. 

We prefer full -time employees over part -time, but there is a place for part-time work. For this Apprenticeship we think that our typical full time schedule would best meet the needs of the program. Our full time employee schedule during the months of May - October is M-F, 8am - 5:30 with a 30 min- one hour lunch break daily. Training will be woven into the work day and we will make a schedule for dedicated training check-ins and trainings with specific experienced staff.

We will provide mentorship and training by teaching core concepts/skills, working alongside participant(s), demonstration, opportunities to gain independence, offering time for questions or field walks, regular check-ins/meetings, and two evaluation sessions.

Training will be coordinated by co-owner Amber. Some elements are best taught by owners Jonah (field management and maintenance lead) or Amber (business management and harvest lead). Others will be delegated to one of two experienced staff, Miranda (3rd season) and Jason (11th season). The mentor team approach collectively offers a well rounded experience for an Apprentice while not pulling any one person away from their regular duties on the farm. We look forward to meeting you.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

The wage for a first year Apprentice will be $14/hr (and up to $15 depending on experience– for example, if you have a full season or more of experience on a farm, we will adjust the starting wage). Our benefits include a gear stipend of $200, PTO, reimbursement of half of the RFC Apprenticeship fee amount if/when they complete the season, any farm-produced food). Scheduled time off is allowed and encouraged to promote a healthy balance of work and play but we define what is reasonable in our work agreement. Time off should be requested well in advance and approved and added to the staff calendar once approved. A reasonable amount would be 1-2 occasions of taking 1-2 days off per occasion in a coordinated fashion so that vacations do not overlap with other staff. 

No housing is offered. We are 10 minutes from Eugene and Springfield. Seasonal workers in the past have had good luck with finding housing via the traveling nurses portal and finding rooms in houses in Eugene where there are college students coming and going.

QUALIFICATIONS

We expect all employees to come to work on time and be a good listener during morning meetings and during training, to ask questions as needed and to stay focused on the goals of the day. Respect, kindness and good communication are very important as are the ability to learn and do the job efficiently. Our product is certified organic local produce that looks and tastes good and is very fresh. Providing this product requires good attention to detail balanced with efficient methods of production and harvest. If you take pride in doing a good job and love working on a team outside – this could be a good place for you. There is often an acclimation period, that's understood - and we are extra supportive during the onboarding time. But, we expect to see progress and to see that there is an interest in being an effective employee and apprentice.

 As for experience, we know that experienced employees come in the door with more dexterity in their hands and more understanding of what a good bunch of turnips looks like. Experience in related jobs or personal experience with vegetables should also be valued and expressed. We’ve had employees demonstrate plenty of transferable skills from working in restaurants and produce stores, for example.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We make our policies known in a document called Employee Work Agreement, this document includes how evaluations are done, time off policies and benefits and our process for making wage adjustments and hazardous work environment procedures and more.  Job roles are presented to all staff in a document called the Command Tree. 

Staff and owners are welcoming to each other every day at work. As owners we try to model communication that is kind, necessary and true. On the farm we do some things that foster community among workers including Wednesday staff lunches and occasional events. We do a few things that keep our produce accessible to all income levels – weekly donations to Burrito Brigade, a non-profit that makes thousands of burritos per week for the houseless in Eugene and Springfield, taking SNAP benefits for CSA payment, having a scholarship fund for low-income and having a Working CSA Member program. 

Amber and Jonah.

www.camasswalefarm.com

@camas_swale_farmer

Goodfoot Farm- FULL FOR 2024

GOODFOOT FARM- FULL FOR 2024

• POSITION: 1 APPRENTICESHIP 

• FULL TIME (32-40 hrs/week) 

• APPROX START/END DATES: June - November

• LOCATION:Philomath (Willamette Valley)

• NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

• ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Possibly.

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English.

Beth is the primary operator of Goodfoot Farm. We grow mixed vegetables year round; some tree fruit, mostly apples and asian pears; blueberries.  Sales outlets include Farmers’ Market plus CSA that we run as a farm credit with market pickup.  Certified Biodynamic and Organic.  Some tractor cultivation; but the farm is mostly people powered.  Animals are incorporated into the biodynamic farm organism; layer hens for egg production and a few pet sheep that mow the lawn. Two resident horses and neighboring beef cattle provide the foundation of our composting/fertility program.  Farm crew (in addition to primary farmer) is 1-4 depending on time of year. Total farm crew hours (minus primary farmer) are about 5000 hours per year.

Rural community 30 minutes outside of college town; farm owners live on the farm (grown children are gone).  Apprentices will have access to forest and river.  There is some farming in the local community; lots of neighboring parcels are in forestry.

Beth, the primary farmer has been farming or on the land most of her life in some capacity.  Her assorted educational background includes a graduate degree in Plant Pathology.  The farmer and farm philosophy is aligned with biodynamic agriculture, sociocracy.  Goodfoot Farm’s goal is to implement an agricultural model that is ecologically sound, socially responsible, and economically viable.  The farm has been at market for 12 seasons.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Apprentices will be trained in almost all aspects of the farm production system; limits would be in 4 wheel tractor use (training/use in 2 wheel tractors) and irrigation.  Farm operations are conducted with a management system called holacracy which supports a high degree of autonomy and ownership.

Training is pretty comprehensive and rigorous as farmhands are expected to work with a great deal of independence and autonomy and are also expected to be able to delegate and coordinate others when needed to complete their roles/tasks.  Training is pretty well rounded with verbal instruction, modeling/demonstration, and written resources.  Management system based on holacracy.  Check-ins and field walks happen regularly.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

$18/hr starting wage with potential for end of season bonus to bring annual hourly wage to $20/hr.  32 hours paid vacation for full season work; unlimited sick PTO.  Free produce; opportunity to trade at market.  Most work gear provided.  Potential for reimbursement of RFC fees.

No on-farm housing is offered. Corvallis is a college town 30 minutes away; other communities are also about 20-30 minutes away.  There are limited local, rural opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS

No prior experience necessary, but we do need to understand the interest/commitment of potential applicants. Goodfoot has a desire to work with individuals who are seriously exploring farming as an occupation.  

Preferred qualities include a high attention to detail, ability to manage competing priorities, self-organized, strategic thinker, systems thinker, high degree of professionalism in work and person, excellent communicator, and an interest in meeting people where they are at.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We do not have traditional hierarchical labor systems; the farm operates on principles of sociocracy.  We pay fair wages.

Beth Hoinacki

www.goodfootfarm.com

Fiddlehead Farm- FULL FOR 2024

Fiddlehead Farm- FULL FOR 2024

• POSITION: 1 APPRENTICESHIP

• PART TIME (16 hours/week Thursdays and Fridays, increasing to 3 days in the fall)

• APPROX START/END DATES: May - Feb

• LOCATION: Corbett  (Portland Chapter)

• NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes.

• ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Preferred.

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, Spanish.

Fiddlehead Farm is a queer and women owned and operated family farm tucked into the Sandy River valley in the rural community of Corbett. The farm is nineteen acres, with six acres in cultivation for the sustainable production of Certified Organic vegetables. The remaining acreage is kept in native forest that is dense, wild, and beautiful. Given this balance we are committed to growing food in an ecologically sound manner, with special focus on conservation of the farm and the forest. We are excited to share our practices with the next generation of farmers!

Corbett is a small rural community located just 20 miles east of Portland, at the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge. The area is rich in natural beauty and has many hiking trails, viewpoints, and swimming holes nearby. 

We take great pride in the food we grow and our vegetables are known for being of the highest quality. Our produce is sold through a Fall and Winter CSA, at the Montavilla fall and winter markets, through food coops, and a small handful of restaurants. Fiddlehead is a fall and winter production focused farm. We derive all our income from the farm, so we work hard to maintain a thriving and sustainable business model while also trying to maintain a quality of life for our family. 

We use a balance of mechanization and hand scale in our production. We have three tractors which we use for bed prep, fertilizing, mulch laying, cultivating and several other applications. We practice minimal tillage in our fields and employ no-till practices in our 5 greenhouses. Apprentices can expect to become familiar with a wide variety of hand tools, as well as using the appropriate equipment for a range of conditions.   

Our crew consists of farmer Kate, an RFC apprentice, part-time employees, farmers market staff, and occasional volunteers. We are a small crew and appreciate the camaraderie that develops throughout the season. We put a lot of energy into making sure our RFC participants feel like they can get any of their questions about the operation and reasons behind decisions answered. We find that working alongside each other can spark these educational conversations.

The farm has been in operation since 2009. Neither Montana nor Kate grew up on a farm, but have worked much of their adult lives on organic farms of various sizes, or in related industries. Kate came to love farming in the redwoods in Northern California while being mentored by some wonderful CSA farmers in the area. She went on to work at several farms and landed in Portland to apprentice at 47th Ave farm for 2 seasons. After ending at 47th Ave and leasing a few properties to start a small-scale operation, she and her parents collaborated on purchasing land in Corbett, and Fiddlehead Farm has since grown in both size and diversity over the past 15 years. 

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

RFC participants will train directly with us 2-3 days per week, Thursdays and Fridays (and Wednesdays starting in Sept), 8-9 hours per day. Apprentices will train on most aspects of our fall and winter operation, including but not limited to: planting, harvest, weeding, irrigation, wash/pack, trellising, sorting, cleaning, plant protection, fertilizing, planning, record-keeping, and marketing. We accomplish these tasks through the use of hand tools, tractors, and scale-appropriate equipment. Folks will become proficient in all aspects of production, with opportunities to specialize if there is interest.

We will train mid-May through February for 8 to 9 hours per day, depending on the workload. 

A unique aspect of our mentorship is we are in the fields most of the time with our new farmers. We have a daily morning meeting detailing the plan for the day, and if new farmers are on solo tasks, we have lots of check-ins with opportunity for questions and feedback. We provide strong structure to each day with clear goals and expectations, and lead by example for efficient farming habits. We strive to balance physical projects with less strenuous tasks; not only does this keep our bodies healthy, but also helps keep morale and productivity high. Initial learning for each task will come in the form of clear, detailed instruction, but most of the skill development will come about through observation, repetition, and reflection. We enjoy sharing our insights and thought processes, and are committed to fostering an environment of clear, open communication. The training of interns will be a combination of small team projects and individual activities that shift with the season. We value the ability of interns to listen and follow directions, as well as observe and emulate.

Since our farm is focused on fall and winter production, the work focuses on crop care (seeding, planting, weeding, etc) until our harvest season begins in September. The apprentice experience at Fiddlehead will differ from that of members in the cohort, but all skills and topics will be thoroughly addressed. 

QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for folks who are thoughtful, considerate, hardworking, and dedicated to an entire season. We value communication, positivity, openness, and curiosity. There will be a lot of physical exertion throughout the day so the applicant should have some outdoor or physical labor experience.

Ideally, we’d like to meet with prospective interns on the farm prior to the season starting. If circumstances don’t allow, we can connect in another format.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

Hourly wage plus any veggies we produce and fruit from our small orchard. 

No on-farm housing is offered.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

The farm regularly hosts volunteers and employees from diverse backgrounds, and we work hard to create a safe and welcoming environment. Apprentices are expected to share this commitment to safety and inclusion.

Montana and Katie

https://www.instagram.com/fiddleheadfarmer/

www.fiddleheadfarmers.com

Harbinger Farm- FULL FOR 2024

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

https://www.harbinger-farm.com

https://www.facebook.com/harbinger.farm

https://www.instagram.com/harbinger.farm

Lucky Crow Farm

Lucky Crow Farm

• POSITION: 1 APPRENTICESHIP

• FULL TIME (40 hrs/week) 

• APPROX START/END DATES: 4/1 - 10/30

• LOCATION: Monmouth (Portland Chapter , Mid-Willamette Valley)

• NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? No, just reliable transportation.

• ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Yes.

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English.

Lucky Crow Farm operates a 1-acre urban farm in the heart of a small neighborhood in Monmouth, OR. Adjacent to the neighborhood (past the urban growth boundary) is the 60-acre, rural farm where our greenhouses, pack shed and cold storage is located. We spend the majority of our time alternating between these two locations with an occasional trip (about once a month) to an urban farm plot we manage in Salem.

The farms in Monmouth are within a five-minute drive to downtown Monmouth and Downtown  Independence. They are both small towns with populations of about 10,000. There are plenty of outdoor activities available in the nearby area including hiking and kayaking on the Willamette River, which runs right through Independence. Monmouth houses Western Oregon University so there is a college town feel. Independence has a bustling downtown. A trolly was recently acquired to shuttle residents between both towns (for free!) The farm crew members live nearby and commute to the farm each day. 

We grow mixed vegetables for a 75 member CSA, two farmers’ markets (Corvallis and Independence), restaurant accounts and our online store. We do some of our bed prep at the urban farm manually, while  our larger farm utilizes tractor implements much more frequently. Though we are not certified organic, we employ natural farming methods and do not use synthetic chemicals or fertilizers. Our small farm crew is made up of Eden (owner/manager), 1 market employee, one full-time employee, and 1-2 part-time employee(s). 

Eden’s family has been farming in the Willamette Valley for six generations. She went to Scripps College in Claremont, California to pursue a degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Policy. After school she managed farmers’ markets in the Bay Area and worked on livestock/vegetable/tree farms in California and Washington. She started her own operation in 2017 on family land. Eden’s mission is to feed her diverse, local community delicious, nutrient rich food seasonally. She is driven by her investment in environmental sustainability, social equity and economic profitability. As a young, queer, female farmer, she embraces her responsibility to set an example and to create a  working model for sustainable food production and thriving rural business within her hometown and beyond.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Apprentices will receive training/participate in: bed preparation, harvest, planting, wash/pack, farmers’ markets,  CSA distribution, customer interaction, marketing, pest management, nutrient management, and propagation. Eden does most tractor/machinery work.

Full-time employees are expected to work 40 hour weeks from around the beginning of April through the end of October. Spring days are generally shorter (with an average of 20-30 hours per week, depending on weather). Employees are not expected to work more than 40 hours in a week, even in the height of summer. Taking vacation days (unpaid) is permitted with advanced notice.  

As we switch tasks regularly, training takes place throughout the day as needed. Apprentices are regularly required to sit, kneel, stand, bend, climb and reach; regularly lift up to 50 pounds  without assistance; have the ability to work outside in all weather conditions, often for long durations; be capable of performing repetitive tasks with endurance. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Appropriate gear is required for all weather conditions. 

Beyond our scheduled training sessions, Apprentices will work one-on-one with either Eden or an experienced staff member every day. We are committed to teaching as we work and having impromptu training sessions when needed. We provide regular check-ins and can make time for meetings/questions if requested. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: 

• Detail oriented and fast learner 

• Self-motivated and able to streamline workflow 

• Ability to work efficiently alone or in a group 

• Experienced/licensed driver 

• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills and willingness to work with a diverse group of people 

• Ability to keep clear, handwritten and electronic records 

• Positive attitude in all types of weather 

• Commitment to work entire season (with potential for unpaid vacation time) 

• Organized and thorough 

Preferred: 

• 1-3 years of prior farm work 

• Strong love of food, nutrition and healthy local economies 

• Manual transmission operation 

• Basic mechanics 

Apprentices are required to have their own transportation.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS 

Hourly rate starts at $15, depending on experience.

Each employee receives a CSA share.

The farm does not offer Apprentice housing. As Monmouth is a college town there are plenty of seasonal, diverse housing options depending on the time of year. Past employees have lived in their own studio apartments, campus housing and in a house with roommates. 

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Eden is queer-identifying farmer who strives to empower those who are not  historically/fairly represented in agriculture. Lucky Crow, first and foremost, is a safe and inclusive space for anyone interested in farming and local food economies. We believe a more diverse and equitable food production system is imperative in our work towards a sustainable future. Eden is committed to maintaining open communication with all employees to ensure they feel safe and heard.

Eden

https://www.instagram.com/luckycrowfarm

https://www.facebook.com/luckycrowfarm

https://www.luckycrowfarm.com

Nella Mae's Farm- FULL FOR 2024

Nella Mae’s FarM-FULL FOR 2024

• POSITION: 1 APPRENTICESHIPS

• FULL TIME (30-40 hrs/week) 

• APPROX START/END DATES: 4/1 - 5/15 to 8/1- 10/31

• LOCATION: Cove (Northeast Oregon)

• ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

• ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? No.

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English and Spanish.

Nella Mae’s Farm is a produce farm managed with low-till, regenerative, and holistic practices. We also raise a few beef for market with my neighbor. Nella Mae sells at our on-farm farmstand, the La Grande Farmers Market, several retail outlets, one CSA, and restaurants in two counties. 

Nella Mae’s Farm is at the base of the Wallowa Mountains in northeast Oregon. We have woods and wildlife habitat on our place and farm and graze five acres. The farm is just outside the “city” of Cove, population 500. Cove is on the east side of the Grande Ronde Valley, population 26,000, one of the largest round valleys in the world. While this is technically high desert, the snow melt, rivers and a high water table make this place rich for agriculture. We also face a short spring, extreme temperature swings in the summer, and increasingly variable weather. Nella Mae is learning to adapt every year.

Most of the farms in the valley are hundreds or thousands of acres and grow grass, grains and sunflowers for seed, alfalfa, mint, and sugar beets. There is a healthy number of small-scale farms growing meat, produce, and nursery crops, and our small group of small farms is mutually supportive and highly collaborative. Nella Mae has found a huge amount of support locally large and small, as well as fellow business owners, customers, and neighbors as she has grown the farm. She looks forward to enhancing an Apprentice’s experience at the farm through sharing experiences with her own mentors and farmer friends.

The farm crew is small and tight-knit. Many of the folks who work at our farm work at a neighboring nursery run by Nella Mae’s mentors as well. We have a friendly, fun crew and focus on collaboration, teamwork, improving systems together, and eating well. Nella Mae cooks lunch for the crew every harvest day.

2024 will be the 11th season of Nella Mae’s Farm, but she grew up on her family’s farm and started selling at the La Grande Farmers Market when she was 10 years old. However, due to the difficulty of farming, she was encouraged to leave agriculture behind and go to college. Her return to agriculture was a surprise to everyone, and was made possible by the local food movement of the 2000’s.

Nella Mae’s philosophy is influenced primarily by Holistic Management, lean farming, low-till practices, and by agricultural, and soil science. The farm’s purpose is to feed our community, build soil, and enhance the wellbeing of the land and those who tend it. 

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Skills taught at the farm include seed starting, transplanting, direct seeding, harvesting, produce processing, marketing, use of equipment, farm business management skills, sales, and customer service. 

An Apprentice at the farm will have the opportunity to go as deep as they are interested in learning marketing, business, and staff management as well as the best practices on propagation, harvest, food safety, soil care, irrigation, plumbing, light construction, and the importance of developing a farm network. 

Start date is flexible—April 1-June 15. End date is flexible—Aug 31-Oct 31.

Apprentice will generally work 6 hour days 4-5 days per week.                                                                                                                         

Time off is flexible with one or two weeks’ notice.

Heavy exertion is typical with farm work. Most work is done by hand. Carrying boxes of produce, tough work such as post pounding or broad forking, and working in hot and cold conditions is typical.

Training is integrated into work. Teaching and farming are linked in every activity on the farm. We take hour-long lunches to discuss finances, bookkeeping, no-till practices, etc. Every day at lunch is our check-in time. The rest of the training happens each morning as we plan out the day together, walk the fields, and review best practices. Discussion happens in real time while we work together. Nella Mae works side by side with others on the farm for 80-90 percent of the day and talks in depth about ag practices, books, why we do things the way we do them, and how we got here. 

Nella Mae loves to discuss big ideas and is very involved in the policy and politics of agriculture, social justice, natural resources, and rural places. 

Fingers crossed that Apprentices will find her funny because she loves to laugh while we work. :)

We always put hoes down to visit with neighbors who stop by and learn from elders in the neighborhood.

We also host outdoor schools and class visits several times per year at the farm, so we have the opportunity to teach and learn from kiddos.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for a hard-working, self-motivated person who is able to communicate in a timely, and direct manner. Most important is someone who is curious, thinks deeply, asks questions, problem solves, and helps the farmer improve by giving feedback. An Apprentice must be able to work quickly and deftly with their hands. 

We are happy to host Apprentices with no gardening or ag experience. We are looking for an Apprentice who is interested in plants and has some demonstrable experience doing physical labor. 

Attention to detail and adherence to our food safety procedures is critical. Applicants should be ready for physical work and to lift 30lbs regularly. They should also be able to work outside in all weather conditions from rain to heat. We invite a person of any skill level to apply for as long as they are excited to learn about farming and work outside. 

Due to our very rural location, the Apprentice should have their own reliable transportation. If the Apprentice does not have a car, please get in touch to discuss other options. 

An in-person visit is not required before a final placement decision is made but candidates may visit if they like. 

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS 

Compensation is $15/hour plus reimbursement of RFC tuition if/when the season is completed. This additional benefit works out to an equivalent of about $16/hour. Apprentices get all the produce they can eat and preserve, use of farm kitchen for food/preservation projects, a very flexible schedule for time off, hot lunch on harvest days, and use of farm library. 

An 8x20 tiny house with electricity, wood heat, propane cook stove, and outhouse is available for apprentice housing. Shower is available in the main farm building. Rent is $250 per month or in trade for working two Saturday markets per month. 

The tiny house is private from the main farm house, separated by a creek line. Wifi is available at the farm, but not at the tiny house. Apprentice will have access to the farm office for wifi, on-line meetings, watching movies, etc. There is cell service throughout the farm. Apprentice would be responsible for their own meals except crew lunches. Wood is provided for the wood stove in the tiny house. Significant others are allowed on a case-by-case basis. No pets allowed at this time.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and feminism are guiding principles in how Nella Mae lives her life, raises her family, runs her farm, and operates her business. Understanding her own privilege, checking it, and ensuring that she is sharing her knowledge and resources with new and beginning farmers is paramount to what she does. 

Nella Mae Parks

www.nellamaesfarm.com

instagram.com/nellamaesfarm/

Feral Farm

Feral Farm

• POSITIONS: 2 Apprenticeships

• PART-TIME (20- 32 hrs/ week)

• APPROX START/END DATES: April - Oct

• LOCATION: Jacksonville (Rogue Valley Chapter)

• NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes.

• ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Preferred.

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English. Spanish (basic)

Feral Farm is spread across four isolation fields along a 5 mile stretch of Thompson Creek - a rural and fairly close knit community of homesteaders, farmers, and ranchers. Thompson Creek is located approximately halfway between the cities of Medford and Grants Pass. The home field is where I live as well as three other people including my landlord and his partner and another renter, and my house will be accessible during work hours to the participant. The other three fields do not have buildings except for one in which the landlord has opened her house for bathroom use. There are ample hiking trails to explore, rivers and creeks to swim in, proximity to Applegate Lake, and opportunities to connect with others in the farming community. We also have a pizza place just 4 miles down the road as well as a small music venue/lodge.

The majority of the farm is in wholesale vegetable and flower seed production (70%), seed garlic for wholesale and direct local sale (15%), and an on-site honor system farm stand selling garden starts and seed packets (15%). Everything is certified organic. All fields are drip irrigated and cover cropped in winter. Straw mulch is used on many crops. We use a small tractor for bed prep, electric walk-behind and hand tools for weeding, and mostly small/hand scale tools for seed processing, though some will be mechanized. Overall, a wide variety of tools will be employed to grow and process a diversity of seed crops - between 50-100 varieties per season, including flowers and herbs and a full spectrum of vegetables and a small amount of heritage grains. There is a nice seasonal flow, with early springtime being heavily focused on greenhouse work, seeding and transplanting; late spring being focused on weeding and crop supports like mulching and trellising; summer begins seed crop harvest; and fall continues harvest and begins seed processing and cleaning. Lots of opportunities to learn new skills!

Feral Farm has been in operation since 2017, and is run by Cacia Huff. It started with a small lease on the established farm I was working for at the time. Prior to that, I spent 2 seasons in the Puget Sound area of northwestern WA apprenticing at the Organic Farm School, where I learned business management, farm-scale vegetable and contract seed production. My background prior to that was an Environmental Studies degree at UCSC. My studies in agroecology led me to spend time in southern Mexico establishing school gardens and garden classroom curriculum, and opened my eyes to the worldwide struggle to maintain and preserve rapidly disappearing seed diversity. It then led to a few years of work with an organic certifier, before I decided that I wanted to be out in the field and on the ground rather than in the office. I’m passionate about being outdoors, working with my body, being surrounded by natural beauty, and expressing creativity in the work I do. I love pushing myself mentally and physically, and this type of work never fails there!

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

I will be working alongside the participant for the majority of the time, taking time to demonstrate each individual task as it arises. I am always available for feedback, and encourage questions. I embrace the idea of allowing greater independence on tasks that the participant enjoys or shows particular aptitude for - there is flexibility there. I’m happy to schedule regular check-ins and foster open communication.

Early spring: greenhouse production of many types of plants for seed crops as well as farmstand/nursery plant production. Soil blocking, hand seeding, use of a germination chamber, potting on, and managing the flow of the farmstand. 

Mid to late spring: bed preparation, which will include tractor work (done by me), hand fertilizing, bed marking, direct seeding with an Earthway seeder, and hand transplanting from soil blocks. Setting up drip irrigation systems. String trimming and weeding with a walk-behind electric tilther, wheel hoe, and stirrup hoes. Plant protection (hoops and row cover), and early identifying and roguing of off types in seed crops.

Late spring to early summer: continued weeding, laying straw mulch, and setting up crop supports like trellises and, in some cases, isolation netting to prevent undesired crossing of seed crops. 

Summer: garlic harvest, proper curing, and cleaning for wholesale and local sales. We will likely do some dried flower production for making garlic braids as well. Early seed crop harvests begin in July and August, mostly dry-seeded crops which will be cured, threshed, winnowed, etc. Each crop is a different process.

Late summer/early fall: later season seed crop harvest and processing, which includes many wet seeded crops like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash and cucumbers. Mechanical and hand processing, fermenting, decanting, and cleaning - again, each crop is a different process! This is also the time we finish clean garlic and pack large wholesale orders for shipping.

Late fall: continued seed cleaning, packing and shipping.

Throughout the season: Keeping the farmstand stocked and running, and completing internet orders of seed packets.

Looking for an average of 20 to 32 hours per week from approximately April through October, Monday through Friday. I am flexible with time off if requests are made ahead of time. The heaviest crunch times are May and September/October, so those are not great times for extended time off requests. While I do aim to switch up the work tasks throughout the day and week to avoid monotony, expect to be doing a fair bit of physical exertion in all kinds of weather! Southern OR can get pretty hot and smoky in the summer. Expect to use a respirator for a few weeks in the summer due to wildfire smoke.

QUALIFICATIONS

I work best with people who love being outdoors and doing physical work in all weather, and who enjoy learning new things and thinking creatively about how to approach tasks. Flexibility and ability to go with the flow of work that is often weather-dependent and therefore somewhat unpredictable is important. Attention to detail is critical when it comes to maintaining varietal integrity of seed crops and garlic and vegetable starts, which is relevant through all parts of the season. Good communication and mutual respect - listening and asking questions as well as speaking up about any issues that arise, respecting each other's time (showing up on time, communicating scheduling needs), and also being attuned to your own physical needs. Previous farming or landscaping work is desirable but ultimately not as important as enthusiasm to learn!

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

Minimum wage plus reimbursement of RFC tuition if/when season is completed, plant starts and seeds for any personal garden use (garden space not provided), any edible seed crops (eg, melon and squash flesh), garlic for personal use.

Verizon and US Cellular service is available though not always stellar in the fields. WiFi is available at the home farm house and will be accessible (as will the house itself for breaks, bathroom, shower if needed). There is no housing on site at this time.

I would prefer to meet prospective apprentices if possible to make sure we both feel like we would be a good fit. I have found paid working interviews to be a helpful way to go about this. If this isn’t possible I’m open to getting to know each other over the phone.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

I do not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexuality, ethnicity, or age. I encourage open and respectful communication.

Cacia, with kitty friend

feralfarmseeds.com

Peachwood Orchard

PEACHWOOD ORCHARD

• POSITION: 1-2 APPRENTICESHIPS

• PART TIME (up to 40 hrs/week) 

• APPROX START/END DATES: 6/1 - 9/15

• LOCATION: Hood River (Portland Area)

• ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes.

• ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Preferred.

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English. Spanish.

Peachwood Orchards is an organic peach orchard located in traditional lands of Wasco, Wishram, and Chinook- known as Hood River, Oregon. With a stunning view of Mt. Hood along a small creek are 3.5 acres of peaches and our home. We’re about 5 miles from downtown Hood River and a short drive to many hikes, swimming holes, and waterfalls. An eBike is available for trips to town or around the valley. Our house is on the property as well as a large shed for tools, cold storage, a shop for woodworking and repairs, and a small greenhouse/shed. There is an outdoor common kitchen and shower, next to a parked ¾ size school bus. Indoor bathroom with storage.

David and Alma live and work on the farm with their sweet dog Whoopie. Alma and Whoopie dog work in the orchard full-time in the summer, while Dave works in the local hospital full-time but somehow manages to put in full-time work in the orchard as well. Alma is first-generation Xicana, her passion for agriculture launched her into orcharding for the past 4.5 years. As a child, she watched her grandfather work in his milpa in Zacatecas, Mexico following through the fields and always asking questions– wanting to emulate him. We like to host family and friends in our house in the summer and Alma loves to cook traditional foods and share meals whenever there’s a chance. Alma is involved in social and environmental justice organizations in the community and is on the board of a food access non-profit. Typically we host between 2-4 volunteers through WWOOF and other organizations. The orchard is largely run by us, we may have support from 1-2 part time employees during the busy parts of the season. 

We have been certified organic through Oregon Tilth for the past 5 years. There are about 300 peach trees on the property along with 20 blueberry bushes, Tayberries, plums, and several 25x15ft garden plots. We sell at farmer’s markets, through a local farmer’s cooperative, restaurants, grocery stores, to CSAs, and breweries- even had a beer named after Alma this season made with our peaches! We particularly enjoy being part of the Portland BIPOC market and welcoming other people onto the farm to learn. Opportunities for growing seed for saving heirloom varieties. We make donations to several food banks, and many other groups/organizations.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

We expect an Apprentice to be respectful of the land and community we work with. We expect you to be on time and keep your commitments. Work week will be an average of 40 hours, 5 days a week, including Saturday. Expect to work between 8-10 hours during the peak time in June, and August with other times of the season to average between 6-8 hour work days in July. We ask that you be available to help with Saturday farmer’s markets each week during August and September.

June through September will have plenty of opportunities to thin fruits and learn how to harvest peaches at peak ripeness. There are opportunities to learn about accounting, record keeping, and account management. Alma typically cans, freezes, ferments, dehydrates peaches and is happy to share her knowledge. 

June-July: Thinning fruits, management of orchard floor. This is a time to learn irrigation repair and maintenance for the rest of the seasons. July will be focused on gardens and seed-saving projects, as the peaches ripen. We work on the small gardens and experiment with no-till management. 

August-September: Peach harvest, packing, record-keeping, and managing sales/accounts. Preparing for market and other sales. Preparing and running farmer’s markets. Processing harvest. 

Optional: Restoration projects along the creek that runs through our property include: mitigation of opportunistic plant species, establishing pollinator habitat, and planting of native shrubs. 

We intend to work alongside Apprentices, there will be specific demonstration and training at the beginning and we will make ample time to be available and work together to allow for questions to come naturally. Independence of work will be gained with experience and based on the comfort developed with each task. The extent of supervision will depend on experience and on the nature that we’ll often be working together.

QUALIFICATIONS

Some experience working in agriculture is preferred. We’re looking for people who are interested in and/or already engaged with orchard work. Good work ethic is important for long days of work as well as ability to work well in a team, and clearly communicate. We ask that you are open to working with people of diverse races, gender, sexual orientations, and cultures. A phone call and visit to the farm are required prior to placement, we are open to doing a Zoom tour in case you’re not able to physically visit. Some flexibility on dates if communicated clearly and early. Ability to lift 50lbs and be on your feet for hours at a time.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

We are still determining our exact wage for 2024, which will take into consideration cost for on-farm housing.

Housing is in a ¾ size school bus parked on the farm with light and heat provided, next to an outdoor communal kitchen and shower. There is an enclosed bathroom with toilet and potable water. Kitchen has a propane stove, hot water kettle, sink, food storage, and small fridge. There is cell service and access to WIFI and our laundry/dryer. A list of basic food staples will be provided and resupplied throughout the season as well as access to food grown in the garden and all the peaches you can eat. No smoking, please be responsible about drinking. Visitors may be welcome but please check with us and others living on the farm beforehand. We love to share meals but are limited to our availability/schedules.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and aim to nurture an environment of respect and dignity for all individuals. Our farm welcomes aspiring farmers of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, religions, and cultural backgrounds.

Alma Gaeta

https://www.hoodriverpeaches.com/

https://www.instagram.com/peachwood_orchard/

Quackenbush Farm- FULL FOR 2024

QUACKENBUSH FARM- FULL FOR 2024

• POSITION: 2 APPRENTICESHIPS

• FULL TIME (40 hrs/week) 

• APPROX START/END DATES: April 1 - Oct 31 (option to stay through November)

• LOCATION: Eagle Creek (Portland Chapter)

• NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

• ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Preferred, no required

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English. Basic Spanish.

Quackenbush Farm is located in the beautiful Clackamas River Valley, about 30 minutes southeast of Portland.  Our focus has primarily been diversified, organic, fresh market veggies. The farm is a thriving business with our main markets being our weekend farmer’s markets, wholesale (school districts), restaurants, and a small on-site farm stand.

Our production methods revolve around intensive, sustainable annual crop production.  We are certified organic and utilize a variety of conservation practices to minimize our impact on the land and soil, including cover cropping, crop rotations, reduced tillage, pollinator plantings and hedgerows, and more. 

The farm family and crew this year will include Jennifer and Matt, our assistant farm manager, two to three farm crew members and apprentices, 2 market crew, and our team of weekly harvest volunteers and workshares.

Quackenbush Farm started in 2013 as a partnership between 4 friends. We were young, motivated, and wanted to grow a business based around community health and vitality. Each of us contributed a thousand dollars as startup, or seed money, and kept our day jobs. We found a rental with property with a brave landlord and within a month of signing the lease, we plowed the field. 

Over the years the farm has evolved, growing and reaching new markets and customers. In 2017, the farm found a permanent home when Matt and Jennifer purchased 18 beautiful, flat acres of pasture and oak savanna in Eagle Creek, Oregon. Through all the changes over the years we have stayed committed to our ideals, and remain idealistic in our hearts and actions.

Our focus is on producing high quality produce for small and mid-scale markets, with an emphasis on heirloom and old-world varieties where flavor is more important than shelf-life.

Training AND Expectations

We are looking for two full time apprentices to commit to the full season from early April to the end of October or optionally through November. The flow of a typical farm year for our staff follows the 3 seasons of spring, summer, and fall:

Spring (April, May, early June) – The focus of this season is greenhouse work, field preparation, building/refurbishing farm infrastructure, and planting.

Summer (Late June, July, August) – This is the time for our biggest markets, big harvests, weeding, pruning and trellising, and more planting.

Fall (September, October, November) – The pace starts to slow a little here, with planting mostly over, our focus now is harvesting, weeding, marketing, farm projects, and eventually turning the fields over and planting cover crop.

By the end of the year, we will provide exposure to virtually all aspects of farm operations, including all steps between the seed and the plate.

These are full-time positions, typically 40 hours per week with some flexibility for longer days in the peak season (July/August) and shorter days in the shoulder seasons (April/October), 5 days per week with two days off. Work days typically start at 8am and go to 4:30pm, with a lunch break mid-day. Farming is physically demanding work, so we expect our staff to manage the demands of frequent lifting, stooping, repetitive motions, and to be able to work in all weather conditions.

Working directly with the farm owners in all aspects of day to day operations, you will gain an in-depth understanding of growing for farmer's markets, local restaurants, and our surrounding community. With 4 acres in production of annual vegetables and the remaining 14 acres managed for grazing, wildlife habitat, and other projects, our apprentices will have the opportunity to gain a well-rounded sustainable agriculture work experience.  Overall duties include field work, irrigation, small equipment work, farmers market sales, seeding/propagation, planting, animal husbandry, volunteer coordination, and record keeping (to name a few).

Qualifications

An ideal candidate would be one who is seriously considering a career in agriculture, either working for another farm or starting their own, and is actively pursuing these opportunities.

Farm work experience is preferred, but NOT required.  However we do expect a willingness to learn. We value clear and open communication and expect that our staff are actively engaged with questions, comments, and input on the farm operation.

Demonstrated experience doing repetitive manual labor and a strong physical and mental work ethic IS required.

While we do not require an in-person visit prior to making a placement offer, it is highly recommended.

Compensation / Accommodations

Compensation for our apprenticeship starts at $15/hr and includes a CSA share for the season.

We are not offering housing this year.  The Estacada area typically has affordable housing available, or we are a 30 minute drive from Portland.

Equity AND Inclusion

We believe healthy, organic food should be accessible to anyone, regardless of their economic status. We are very conscious of fair pricing, both to ourselves and to our customers, and provide other opportunities to make our produce affordable, including SNAP discounts and benefits, Pay What You Can pricing, and donations to several local food banks. 

We recognize the long and troubled history of exclusion in the world of agriculture and land ownership. Equity and inclusion on Quackenbush Farm means that your value as a farmer and co-worker are irrespective of your race, color, gender, sexual orientation, bank account balance, or accent. We welcome all hard-working bipeds to apply.

Matt & Jennifer (& Edwin)

quackenbushfarm.com