Community Farm Apprenticeship in Massachusetts

Posted on December 29, 2020 by Taylor in Apprenticeship, Education, Farming // 0 Comments

Community Farm Apprenticeship in Massachusetts at Caretaker Farm – 2021

Caretaker Farm, established in 1969, is a community supported farm, that provides vegetables and fruits for 300 families during a summer CSA and 125 families through a winter CSA. We also provide food weekly to a community hot meals program. Annually, we train apprentices within the framework and principles of sustainable agriculture. The farm, while primarily dedicated to vegetable production, has mixed livestock (Pigs and Chickens), 1 greenhouse, 4 hoophouses, 2 caterpillar tunnels, an orchard and a bakery. Nestled in a picturesque valley, Caretaker Farm covers 34 acres of forest land, meadow, pasture, vegetable fields, two ponds, and is bisected by a meandering stream. The farm uses a mix of no-till and low-till methods that are managed to enhance the relationship between the land and our farm members.

The farm is located near a college town that provides all types of opportunities to apprentices: hiking the nearby Appalachian Trail, swimming in the local ponds and rivers, an independent movie theater, local art museums, theater and music festivals, etc. Many hundreds of families visit the farm each week to pick up their CSA shares and the connections made have provided past apprentices with all types of opportunities to engage with community activities. Apprentices also choose to use their free time hanging out next to the stream that runs by their cabin and taking advantage of our extensive agricultural lending library to further their education.

For over 35 years Caretaker Farm has trained more than 140 apprentices that currently manage farms across the country and around the world. Caretaker Farm’s mission is to provide nourishment to all who come into contact with the farm. Through connection with the land that grows our food, our community learns about care for each other and the earth.

This Community Farm Apprenticeship in Massachusetts includes full immersion into the inner workings of a small scale family farm from soil preparation and greenhouse propagation to weed control and harvesting. There is a vast amount of education derived from the active participation in all of the farming systems throughout the season.

Another component is CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training), a seminar and farm visitation program for the apprentices from Caretaker and eleven other farms in the region. The objective of CRAFT is to enable the apprentices to study the diversity of farm design and agricultural technique found within the 12 collaborating farms and to form long-term friendships and a supportive community with their peers.

We also share all of our farm planning materials developed over the winter, provide weekly farm tours for apprentices, share literary resources that support our work, distribute weekly farm management information, teach fall workshops specific to the interests of the apprentices, facilitate monthly feedback sessions on both field work and community life, and provide support as apprentices develop the dreams of their farming future.

Community Farm Apprenticeship in Massachusetts Starts: Start of April
Apprenticeship Ends: The end of October.
Number of Apprentices: 3

Compensation: $1250/month for first year apprentices

Housing: All apprentices live on the farm in heated cabins.
Meals: Apprentices have their own private kitchen. They are welcome to use farm vegetables.
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission until Filled

Skills Desired:

While previous farming experience is not a prerequisite, the program is most suitable for those who feel they have a serious vocational interest in farming and/or agricultural development.

We seek apprentices who are self motivated; take initiative; are reliable, responsible, and professional; work well with others and individually; have a good sense of humor; appreciate high quality work/products; are excited about living in community with others; possess a deep respect for others and the land; work hard; and are able to lift 55 lbs.

Community Farm Apprenticeship in Massachusetts – Details:

The farm workweek of 5.5 days is challenging and the work itself is attuned to, and dependent upon, qualities of caring, persistence, efficiency, initiative, teamwork, and social justice. The apprentice’s responsibility and work experience covers all phases of sustainable crop production. We present a wide foundation of education through sharing of management materials, farm visits, workshops, weekly farm management task lists, weekly farm tours, structured feedback sessions(visit https://www.caretakerfarm.org/apprenticeships to learn more), agricultural lending library, etc., that gives apprentices the tools to move toward their own farming dream.

The mentorship provided through the apprenticeship includes both the practical understanding of how to manage a small scale sustainable farm and assistance to integrate the connection of the work with one’s individual values.

If you are interested in this Community Farm Apprenticeship in Massachusetts, please send a cover letter describing past experience and what you hope to gain during your apprenticeship, a resume and contact information for 3 references. Email – don@caretakerfarm.org