Jobs: Apprenticeships, Weavers Way, Philadelphia

Title: Apprentices, Weavers Way Type: 40-55 hours per week, depending on the time of the season, which runs March 29th to mid-November Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Compensation: Weekly stipend, produce from the farm, coop membership, and housing with a local family if needed Application Deadline: January 19th, 2010 Weavers Way seeks two Apprentices Weavers Way is currently seeking two apprentices to work on our farming projects in Northwest Philadelphia.  The farm sites consist of a two acre market farm, and a two-and-a-half acre CSA.  The farms are run through Weavers Way Coop, a 3,600 member, community-owned market, with locations in Mt Airy, West Oak Lane, and Chestnut Hill.

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Apprentices will be expected to work 40-55 hours per week, depending on the time of the season, which runs March 29th to mid-November.  Each apprentice will focus their time at one of the two sites, with opportunities for work swaps and collaboration.  We offer a weekly stipend, produce from the farm, coop membership, and housing with a local family if needed.  Both positions offer experience with small scale, diversified organic vegetable production and the opportunity to develop skills in greenhouse production, season extension, pest management, planting, weeding, harvesting, marketing, and volunteer management.

Mort Brooks Memorial Farm Apprenticeship

Located at the Awbury Arboretum, the Mort Brooks Memorial Farm is a diverse vegetable operation growing over 200 varieties of vegetables, as well as herbs, flowers, and berries on 2 acres.  Produce from the farm is marketed year round through two farmers markets, at the three coop stores, and at several restaurants in Northwest Philadelphia.  The apprentice will work directly with the farm manager and will gain experience in growing vegetables, selling at farmers markets, and marketing to restaurants and wholesale locations.  In addition to production, the farm also provides volunteer opportunities for members of the community.  The apprentice will work with and manage coop members and neighborhood volunteers who come to volunteer on a daily basis.  The site is also a host for the education programs of our affiliated non-profit, Weavers Way Community Programs.

Henry Got Crops! CSA Apprenticeship

Henry Got Crops!  is managed by Weavers Way staff working closely with students and teachers from Saul High School of Agriculture.  The farm not only brings food to the community, but also serves as an educational opportunity for students at Saul. It is a 2 acre CSA farm with approximately 130 members. Located on the school s campus, teachers and their classes come to the farm on a regular basis to learn about small scale, organic, vegetable growing. This is one of the first high school-based CSAs in the country. During the summer, the farm provides summer work opportunities for several high school interns.  Apprentices will work closely with the farm manager and the education coordinator and gain experience in running a CSA and working with high school students.

Qualifications:

Some prior experience in gardening or agriculture preferred. Must be at least 18 years old. Must have a good sense of humor, strong work ethic, and willingness to get dirty, as well as an ability and desire to work with and supervise volunteers of all ages and abilities. You should be able to work under adverse conditions (heat, humidity, cold, rain) and be able to lift 50 lbs, preferably at the same time.  Weavers Way Farm is committed to creating a work environment that supports people of all races, genders, socio-economic statuses, and sexualities- candidates must be comfortable working in and fostering a diverse urban environment.

Both positions are great opportunities for hands on experience with urban farming, yet each offer different educational experiences.  Visit www.weaversway.coop for more information on the farms and coop.

To Apply, please send resume and cover letter to:

Weavers Way Farm, 559 Carpenter Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19119 or weaverswayfarm@gmail.com by January 19th, 2010, and indicate your availability for interviews the week of January 31st. Please indicate which position(s) you are applying for.