New Morning Farm Apprenticeships 2020 – PA

Posted on October 20, 2019 by Taylor in Apprenticeship, Education, Farming // 0 Comments

Apprenticing at New Morning Farm – We are now accepting applications for 2020 season!

New Morning Farm was founded in the mountains of south central Pennsylvania in 1972. The farmers and apprentices have been creating and refining our crops and systems of growing and marketing for 47 years. We attend four farmer’s markets a week, grow around 25 acres of organic vegetables, and manage a flock of 400 laying hens with about 18 farm employees. Our production goal is to grow a variety of high quality organic produce, reliably week after week, in sufficient quantity to meet the demand at our retail and wholesale markets. Our systems are now well established, though always undergoing improvement. Production practices that allow us to succeed reliably include season extension, succession plantings, and more, all built on a foundation of soil health.

Apprenticeships at NMF

New Morning Farm is tucked in a hollow in the mountains of Hustontown, Pennsylvania. We enjoy a beautiful remote, rural setting for growing produce, while staying connected to the city through our markets. This location limits apprentices ability to participate in off farm social activities and life during the height of the growing season(June-September). We prioritize creating a community and providing society for each other with weekly potlucks, a trip to the lake, and other group activities based on interests. We love good food, and center many of our gatherings around potluck style feasts. We all live and work together, you co-workers will also be your housemates.

Our apprentices spend considerable time on jobs such as planting, transplanting, pest and weed control, harvesting, packing, and selling our produce at our farmers markets in Washington, D.C. However, their primary role is assisting in management of crops, equipment and marketing. Each spring we sit down as a group to divide up the tasks and crops. Every apprentice manages from one to six of our 30+ crops, and becomes responsible for monitoring the crop’s progress in the field, and the harvesting, storage, and marketing of the crop–see these guidelines for crop managers. Each apprentice also takes on other aspects of managing the farm, such as a managing the greenhouse, running a weekly market and/or monitoring irrigation. We believe in learning by doing, but there are built-in systems and oversight to make sure that everything is running as smoothly as possible. Besides on-the-job training, we take time for discussions and seminars on topics of interest to apprentices. Our crew normally makes several visits to other nearby farms for learning purposes.

We expect apprentices to learn our systems while constantly practicing excellent communication, keeping a great pace, and exercising time management for yourself and others. We will train apprentices for their crop and job responsibilities, and we expect apprentices will take ownership of their crops and jobs with guidance and support.

We are looking for people who are organized, curious, personable, fun, and very motivated. Apprentices should be able to work hard and fast in all weather, do heavy lifting, repetitive grasping, standing, bending, and lots of walking. Although we keep the work varied, farming is inherently challenging physically, mentally, and emotionally. Ideal candidates are committed to the farming lifestyle and all that it entails.

We Offer a Generous Package to Our New Morning Farm Apprentices

We provide all-inclusive room and board, which includes rent and utility free housing (except for wifi internet service) in shared housing in one of five nearby houses we rent or own, or in one of three private, one-person cabins with shared cooking and bathroom facilities, plus groceries and all the fresh produce you can eat, along with $1000/mo. minimum salary (experienced people start higher). To encourage longer-term commitment to the farm, returning apprentices enjoy a raise each year, and a month’s paid (winter) vacation, along with increasing responsibilities and improved housing.

We Require:

A full season stay (April or May to Thanksgiving) and strongly encourage long-term involvement with a year-round stay or a 2-3 month winter break
Apprentices to live rent- and utilities-free in our on-farm housing
Apprentices to follow and support all the safety rules of the farm
A Valid Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications: A prior season of farm experience is preferred, but not a requirement. Successful candidates usually have experience with some type of outdoor labor and/or a strong athletic background.

You have lots of choices. Why choose OUR organic vegetable farm?

At New Morning Farm you’ll have:

more responsibilities (you make decisions)
more learning (we have excellent systems and equipment)
more money (salary plus room and board)
private, comfortable housing and great food included

Join our hardworking friendly New Morning Farm team and become a farmer faster. Many of our alumni have started their own operations and are still farming today. OR: stay with us to see your responsibilities and income grow over multiple seasons.

We believe sustainability requires economic success in today’s market, and we have the systems, equipment and experience to make that happen. We are proud that we attract excellent apprentices, many of whom have gone on to farm on their own. Our goal is to help create a larger community of trained, professional, organic growers who can in turn help our sector of agriculture thrive.

This 47 year-old New Morning Farm apprenticeship program is a great opportunity for someone ready to take on the challenge and responsibility of farming.

To Apply

Please email jobs@newmorningfarm.net and include:

Subject line: Apprenticeship Application
Your resume, especially previous farm experience
Cover Letter including:
1. Why you’re seeking an apprenticeship,
2. Why New Morning Farm,
3. What you bring to the apprenticeship,
4. What you hope to gain from an apprenticeship.
Answers to the following Questions:
1. Apprentices live and work together on the farm. Do you have any experiences living and working in this type of environment?
2. What are your driving skills and experience?
3. Do you have any prior injuries to back, knees, etc that may limit your ability to do farm work?
4. What is your cooking/sharing food experience?
5. Do you have any allergies, food restrictions, or other physical limitations that might affect your ability to live in a rural setting and do farm work?
6. What is an experience you had that’s demanded the most dedication?
7. Please tell us something interesting about yourself (hobbies, obsessions, talents, etc.)
Check out other opportunities: A good fit between apprentice and farm is essential for a successful apprenticeship. We always insist that applicants seriously consider a handful of options so they can choose the best fit. The ATTRA internship listing( https://attra.ncat.org/internships/ ) and the Facebook Group Sustainable Agriculture Jobs, Internships, Apprenticeships(https://www.facebook.com/groups/SustainableAgJobs/) both give an excellent view of the many opportunities available. Please list 2 opportunities you are investigating.

Thank you for sharing this information with us. New Morning Farm will confirm via email we have received you application. We will contact you for an initial phone interview if we think you’re a good match!

Website: www.newmorningfarm.net

Instagram: @newmorningfarm

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/