Apprenticeship on Small Farm in Northern Michigan
Small Farm Apprenticeship at Sky View Farm – 2010 Season
Dave and Pat VanDyke have a small farm in Maple City Michigan, in the beautiful Leelanau Peninsula near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Traverse City. They’ve been growing mixed vegetables, cut flowers, raising chickens, making maple syrup and hosting bee hives here for many years. They provide most of their own food and food and other products for people in the community through direct sales, farmers markets, and CSA. They built their home and garden around Permaculture concepts utilizing many energy saving designs including their earth-bermed home, solar (PV) and wind power, and rainwater capture.
They are looking for a motivated individual or couple with a strong interest and some experience in small-scale organic farming/gardening to live with them for the summer of 2010 and help with and learn many aspects of living on and running this small farm. They are asking for a 20 hour per week commitment to begin in early May and extend through the end of August with some flexibility. Compensation will include room and board at the farm, and a small cash stipend. Work will require the ability to lift up to 50lbs and spend extended time outdoors.
Please read their letter below and contact Dave and Pat for more information.
“We are looking for an individual or couple to be an apprentice to work 20 hours a week for a furnished room, food and a cash stipend. Work will involve many varied tasks including; gardening, harvesting, forestry and farm maintenance. The farm is consciously designed incorporating Permaculture concepts, renewable energy, chemical free gardens, orchard, hoop house, chickens, honeybees, maple syrup and forest land, all on 31 acres in beautiful Leelanau County Michigan. This is a great learning opportunity for the right person or couple. Please contact us for more information.”
Dave & Pat VanDyke
314 West Valley Road
Maple City, MI 49664
Phone (231)-228-6433
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I am taking a break from college, i recently was attending lake superior state university in the UP for fire science. I live in grand rapids and this is where i am currently. I am looking into farm management and wondered if you still do summer apprenticeships? I would love to see what it is like and what it takes to work on a farm.
Check out the Jobs and Internships page here, or use http://www.localharvest.org to find a farm near that does the kind of stuff you’re interested in. Go visit a few, and check them out before you make a decision.