Amber Waves Farm Apprenticeships on Long Island

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Farm Apprenticeships at Amber Waves Farm on Long Island for 2016

Positions Available: 4 (hiring on a rolling basis)

Start and End Dates: Approximately 04/01/2016 – 11/15/2016

Compensation: On-farm housing and stipend provided

To apply: Please send a one page resume, a cover letter, and three references to AmberWavesFarm@gmail.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, apply soon!

About the Farm: Amber Waves Farm is entering its eighth season as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational farm located about a mile from the beach in the village of Amagansett on Eastern Long Island. Amber Waves consists of eight acres of vegetable production and three greenhouses to serve a 150 member CSA, farmers markets, and several restaurant wholesale accounts. In addition to intensive vegetable production Amber Waves Farm has a flock of 100 laying hens and produces 10 acres of wheat for sale to local bakers and restaurants. The farm is also involved in intensive educational work with nearby schools, which includes frequent farmer-led field trips, tasting tours, and group work projects at the farm. The farm subscribes to NOFA’s “Farmer’s Pledge” program of growing fruits, vegetables, and grains organically. Much of the farm’s field cultivation is completed by hand with the regular use of tractors.

Position Description: Amber Waves Farm apprentices will spend a season at the farm learning how to grow food organically and sustainably by working hands-on in all areas of the farm’s activities. Apprentices will coordinate with head farmers about day-to-day farm operations, from field work to farmers market preparations. In the field, apprentices will master technical skills associated with plant propagation, greenhouse production, crop rotations and soil health, harvesting, and tractor work. In addition to field work, apprentices are actively involved in community outreach and education by organizing weekly on-farm CSA pick up, assisting with school field trips, representing the farm at the local farmers market, and distributing food in our community to local restaurants and food pantries. There is also the opportunity to conduct community workshops associated with an apprentice’s own interests and skill set.

While hands-on fieldwork dominates the workday, an apprenticeship curriculum and handbook outlines weekly educational topics throughout the season, from soil health to whole farm planning. Apprentices will explore topics with head farmers during a weekly meeting, group field walk, and recommended (not required) reading assignments. The farm also participates in the local CRAFT Program facilitated by the Amagansett Food Institute, and throughout the season apprentices have the opportunity to attend workshops and lectures led by other farmers, tour neighboring farms and food operations, and participate in work exchanges. Attendance at the NOFA Summer Conference in Amherst, MA is also encouraged and paid for by the farm.

Upon completion of the season, the aim is for each apprentice to have the foundational understanding and skill set necessary to pursue more advanced work in agriculture or food policy, or to begin one’s own farming operation. The field work will be very physically demanding, and will require that apprentices are motivated, can tolerate working in inclement weather, and able to lift at least 50-lbs at a time.