Farming Apprentice Wanted in New Mexico

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Farming Apprentice Wanted in New Mexico for the 2016 Season

JOB IS FILLED FOR 2016

Ojo Farm at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs in the mountains of Northern New Mexico is seeking an intern/apprentice for the 2016 season from March to November.  The farm is a diversified vegetable operation, currently expanding from one to slightly less than two acres of intensively cultivated permanent raised beds.   They market primarily to the onsite Artesian Restaurant, through an employee CSA distribution, and retail sales to guests and employees of the spa.

The intern will be involved in all aspects of operating a diversified vegetable operation, or market farm, including:  crop planning, record keeping, transplant production, direct seeding, bed preparation, season extension techniques, the use of a variety of hand tools and walking tractor, succession planting, insect and disease management, cultivation and weed management, as well as harvest, wash, pack and deliver.

You will be required to show some relevant work or life experience that should be demonstrated on your resume with references.  Please also submit a statement describing your reason for wanting to work in sustainable agriculture.  No specific skills are required besides a willingness to work hard in extreme conditions.   You will be working directly with the farm manager, who will be your mentor and two additional seasonal employees.  Some tasks will be completed as a team, but you will be expected to have a good solitary work ethic as well.  On top of a 40 hour work week, there will be a strong educational component which will include studying different books on farming and bringing questions and comments into the field for discussion.  This should be an enjoyable adjunct to the field work.

Compensation is $8/hour.  Housing is provided.  You also have access to a world class mineral springs to soak your bones after the day’s work is done.  You will want to have your own vehicle, as the location is an hour from Santa Fe or Taos, which are the nearest towns.

Position has been filled for 2016