Farm Internship or Work Exchange – TN

 

Farm Internship or Work Exchange in Tennessee – 90 mi SW of Nashville (25 minutes from “the farm”) in foothills of Appalachia with farm neighbors. Closest towns are 20 minutes drive. Historic Natchez Trace Parkway entrances are about 15-20 minutes by car. Artist Retreat Center and startup small farm with a total of 17 acres (not 100% farm land) along the Buffalo River seeks a pair of extra hands in this entrepreneurial endeavor in form of an internship or work exchange. Lots of potential and looking for a team player who is a self-starter and has some background in gardening or landscape. Currently utilizing raised bed garden and fruit trees for minimum production for personal consumption and to share with artists in residence. Potential to grow with the extra hands including cut flower garden or other crop that is marketable in this area as well as potential greenhouse. Also starting a flower garden for natural dyes to focus on craft and market to fiber arts. Recently harvested first garlic crop.

Seeking someone who is interested in researching and networking in the area for markets, farm stands, restaurants or other possible client base. Eat what you grow and discuss profit share. Additionally there are about 24 chickens and Donkeys (miniature and standard, breeding minis for no more than a 5 year span). Retreat center established for workshops and group rental so there are multiple dwellings on the property. Art studio includes pottery kiln and wheel that may also be used as part of the exchange.

 

Housing offered would be a private bedroom with shared bath in a shared setting so we would need to make sure that we get along before diving into a potential 3 to 6 month arrangement. House has 2 dogs (a 4 year old Pyre with 3 legs and a 14 yr old mutt with one eye fading sight) and several cats on the payroll. Responsible to manage own laundry and help keep common area tidy including washing own dishes to keep pests away. This is currently an unpaid position due to start up status. House has wifi, dish satellite, hvac, fireplace. Water from a well. Septic. Would love to be on solar, but that’s a longer term plan. Would consider a couple based on application, but housing option is currently not suited to couple or family unless you have an RV. This would be perfect for someone who wants experience in starting up your own operation, but not ready to invest in the land. Should have savings or possibly remote work income, reliable transportation and driver’s license, willing to submit a background check, and may have interest in the creative arts (fine art, music, writing, design).

 

If you are interested in the farm internship or work exchange 

please send a message to mail@campwonderwander.org with a personal statement that includes your ‘superpower’, reasons why you would want this opportunity, resume if relevant or basic outline of experience, goals for what you may do using this experience moving forward, dates available, contact information. Can call Val at 931-321-3520 to discuss. Immediate need accepting applications until end of June, if not filled by then applications will still be accepted. Potential for longer stay or for a fall / winter opportunity that would include helping with animal care (several possible week long absences for work related travel) and fall planting as well as pruning and other land management better in the winter. For more information please visit www.atennesseeretreat.com and the residency program information is www.sarasvati.space

 

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org by going to https://www.beginningfarmers.org/internship-and-employment-opportunities/