Farmer Learning Program in Washington

Posted on September 8, 2018 by Taylor in Beginning Farmers, Education, Training Programs // 0 Comments

Farmer Learning Program at Cloud Mountain Farm Center, Everson, WA – 2019

Farmer Learning Program Description:

The Cloud Mountain Farm Center Internship is a vocational farmer learning program for those interested in starting their own farm business and/or being a key employee on a farm. This program includes a hands-on, farm-based, full-immersion experience in agricultural production and management as well as a solid understanding of the big picture challenges that affect NW agriculture and the communities it serves. Interns learn first-hand what it takes to keep farmlands healthy and agricultural businesses thriving.

Cloud Mountain Farm Center operates both annual and perennial cropping systems as well as a retail nursery. Our annual organic vegetable production is on 5 acres of tractor cultivated scale and includes row crops, high tunnels, and leafy greens production. Our perennials include 5 acres of conventional and organic fruit trees and vineyards that include pome/stone fruit and table/wine grapes. Our retail nursery offers both fruit and ornamental plants. Interns will engage with all areas of production on the farm.

Please visit https://www.cloudmountainfarmcenter.org/education/internships/ for full Farmer Learning Program application and internship description.

Work and Education Structure

The Farmer Learning Program Internship includes both a tuition-based education portion and paid farm work. For approximately 8 hours a week education includes instruction and exposure via lectures, workshops, and farm tours. Tuition for the 2019 season is $5,000 with a $500 rebate upon completion of the program. Tuition is due at the beginning of the program and covers all guest speakers, workshops, field trips, and educational materials over the course of the program.

Curriculum concepts include:

Business and Marketing: business planning, enterprise accounting, value-added production, farm finances, grants and loans.
Soils and Fertility: soil science, tillage, cultivation, compost, and cover crops
Crop Production: irrigation, crop culture, tractors and implements, weed management, crop planning, botany, integrated pest and disease management, and orchard and vineyard management
Propagation and Nursery: vegetative propagation, seed biology, and greenhouse management
Environmental and Social Systems: land conservation, water access and rights, food access and food justice

Interns will work as paid employees for approximately 4 days of the week or 30-32 hours per week. Interns are paid hourly at $12.00/hour. Work schedules will vary throughout the season and interns can expect to work some weekends. Hands-on education happens through meaningful work in our vegetable, fruit and nursery enterprises. Farm work is fast paced and physically demanding involving repetitive tasks and will include working in sometimes extreme weather conditions. You can expect to work outside in the cold, rain, and heat.

Interns can expect vocational training in the following:

Annual Vegetable Production: propagation, seeding, cultivation, irrigation, harvest, high tunnels, introduction to tractor use, and post-harvest handling
Perennial Orchards and Vineyards: pruning and training, pest and disease management, monitoring, and harvest
Nursery Production: plant propagation and container growing
Marketing: Farmers Market, Restaurant Sales, Wholesale Markets

Dates: October-March 2019

Farmer Learning Program applications are due for the 2019 program by October 31^st, 2018. We will continue to accept applications and conduct interviews on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Please send the following application materials and all other program inquiries via email to annah@cloudmountainfarmcenter.org

A completed application form below (also available to download at cloudmountainfarmcenter.org/education/internships)
Responses to the essay questions found on the application form
Your current resume including education and work experience
A list of 3 references. Two of them must be professional. Please include their name, address, email and phone number.

Find more beginning farmer training programs at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/beginning-farmer-training-programs/