FARM OPPORTUNITIES

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APPRENTICE OPENINGS

Thinking about small-scale organic farming as a potential livelihood? Join us for a trial season without capital investment, risk, or living expenses. With our guidance in a work-study environment, you can learn sustainable farming skills including:

• Intensive organic/biodynamic vegetable growing

• Community Sustained Agriculture (CSA) planning, development, and operation

• Livestock husbandry and horse farming

• Food preservation, community living, and general farm infrastructure and management

You will also have the opportunity to participate in monthly biodynamic workshops to study Rudolf Steiner’s writings and biodynamic agriculture and to visit other farms in northern California.

For the season from March to December we are seeking 3 to 5 apprentices. Work is fulltime (with Saturday afternoon and Sunday off) and challenging. The work will give you basic preparation for farm life and for your own endeavor within the context of producing a season’s crop. We provide room, board, and a small stipend. We want to work and live with individuals who have a positive, disciplined, and willing attitude.

Please read in more detail about our program, which varies from other farm apprenticeships due to our biodynamic/organic intensive garden, use of horse and solar power, and being supported entirely by community member shares and school class visits. If you believe our farm can fulfill some of your goals and you can commit your energy to the life of the farm for a season, please read about applying and visiting.

 

OPENINGS FOR A GARDEN MANAGER AND A HORSE FARMER

We are seeking two people or a couple to join our Demeter certified-Biodynamic/organic 40-acre farm–a garden manager to run our 4-acre CSA garden who has a minimum of two years of gardening experience AND a horse farmer to work the four horses fulltime, including growing grain, hay, and permanent pasture, who already has experience doing field work with horses. For both positions, a commitment to farming as a livelihood and the ability and desire to live in community are essential. For the right people, these positions offer opportunity for increasing responsibility and longer-term involvement. We will provide room and board; compensation will be based on ability and term of commitment.

JOB DETAILS

The garden manager works under the supervision of the farmers to manage the gardening and intensive cultivation of 4 to 6 acres using biodynamic/organic farming practices. The garden manager leads a team of 3 to 5 apprentices in all aspects of the gardening work including

• Daily chores and participating in establishing the weekly work plan

• Compost and soil preparation

• Irrigation activities

• Bed preparation, sowing, transplanting, weeding, and row covering

• Monitoring pest and disease problems

• Vegetable harvesting, cleaning, and storing

• Coordinating the use of draft animals within the scope of the garden plan

• Leading apprentices to a clearer understanding of their role and importance in the farm operations

• Participating in apprentice feedback and evaluation

• Setting an example for work ethic and pace

• Eventually helping with the training of apprentices in the biodynamic methods

• In farmers’ absence (for conferences and vacation time), take responsibility for day-to-day operation of farm and garden

• Where interest and skill permit, provide support and expertise in care of livestock

The horse farmer will coordinate with the farmers and garden manager to prepare garden beds for planting, do row cultivation in the garden, and prepare, plant, irrigate, and harvest field crops of hay, grain, and pasture for the farm. The farm has six 4-acre fields, five 2-acre fields, and some 1-acre fields, all with access to irrigation. Some of the horse farmer’s work will be shared with the farmer. The work can include

• Harnessing and daily work

• Maintaining and developing horse equipment

• Cleaning and maintaining horses’ feet

• Feeding horses their grain ration

• Keeping track of field seed inventory and planning planting

• Harvesting hay and grain

• Processing, storing, milling, and mixing feed rations

• Basic harness repairs and maintenance

• Field irrigation with aluminum hand lines/wheel lines

• Co-teaching (with the farmer) basic harnessing, driving, and horse work skills to the apprentices

• Participating in discussions of field work with apprentices

• Spreading compost, using biodynamic field sprays, and cover cropping

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum of two years’ experience with organic farming or horse work

Understanding of and dedication to principles of sustainable organic agriculture

Interest in and respect for biodynamic farming practices

Commitment to farming as a livelihood and the ability and desire to live in community

Experience in organizing and leading others

Self-directed; good communicator

Ability to thrive in simple conditions

COMPENSATION

We will work with someone to find a combination of salary, room, and board that meets the needs of the individual(s) and stays within the limited farm budget.

We would like to start with an initial trial period of approximately 6 months, with consideration of at least a 3-year commitment.

APPLICATION

For both positions, please send a letter describing your interest, farming experience, and the skills you would bring to our farm to: Live Power Community Farm, Stephen and Gloria Decater, 25451 East Lane, Covelo, CA 95428. If you have questions, please email us.