Small Acres Farm Internship in Washington
Small Acres Farm Internship in Washington State – 2021
About Small Acres Farm
Small Acres is a 5-acre certified organic farm in Everson, WA that produces fruit, vegetables, eggs, fermented products, and luffa sponges! Our method of annual vegetable production closely adheres to the intensive market-garden style of production on raised beds, with a diverse and abundant variety of vegetables grown in a small amount of space (~1.5 acres in annual production). We use a combination of hand work, a walk-behind tractor, and a subcompact tractor in our growing systems. Our farm is +90% renewable energy powered, with a variety of renewable energy sources including biodiesel, on and off-grid solar photovoltaic systems, a wind turbine, and a solar oven. Learn more at www.smallacresfarm.com.
Small Acres Farm Internship Details
- The intern will be an integral part of the farm team and will be exposed to all day-to-day aspects of the farm work. Activities include:
- Seed starting, transplanting, installing irrigation lines, spreading compost
- Weeding using a variety of hand tools (wheel hoe, hand hoe, flame weeder, etc.)
- Harvesting, washing, and packing produce
- Assisting with the production of value-added products (fermented goods) at a nearby processing facility
- Occasionally assisting at Saturday or Sunday farmers market
- Preparing for CSA pick-ups and deliveries
- Cleaning and organizing work areas.
- Participating in weekly farm team meetings to discuss upcoming tasks and share any concerns or ideas for improvement
Educational Opportunities
In addition to learning our growing methods and tools in a hands-on environment, the intern will receive access to online training videos during the duration of the internship. This video series includes lectures and demonstrations of crop-specific techniques, written technical sheets for reference, and recorded question and answer sessions on particular topics. We also have a substantial library of farming and gardening books that the intern is welcome to borrow. The intern will be expected to take advantage of these resources on their own schedule.
The intern will be provided with many opportunities to learn basic homesteading skills (carpentry, food preservation, tool maintenance, chopping firewood, etc.) as well as one-on-one education with the farm owners depending on the intern’s specific interests. There will also be opportunities to tour other nearby farms. In order to get the most out of this internship opportunity, the intern is strongly encouraged to ask questions!
Stipend, Housing, & Meals
The intern will be paid a monthly stipend of $1,200 to be paid on the last day of each month, for five months (May 1 through September 30). The intern will commit to working 30 hours per week. Some of these hours will be pre-scheduled, others could be flexible. The intern will get at least two full days off per week. We expect the intern to be present most of the farming season, with possibilities to schedule time off in advance. The monthly stiped will be reduced (prorated) for any time off during the season (e.g. taking a week off in a month reduces that month’s stipend to $900).
If needed, housing is available on the farm in the form of a truck camper with a composting toilet, and queen-sized sleeping loft. There is not much room for storage so the intern is encouraged to limit personal items or rent an off-site storage unit. There is a sauna with shower, indoor/outdoor common kitchen, and on-site laundry that the intern can use. All utilities (power, water, internet, garbage/recycling) are included. Monthly rent is $200.
If desired, the intern can participate in shared lunches and dinners, where we take turns cooking and doing dishes. Regardless of shared meals, the intern will have access to any produce on the farm for their personal meals (with a few exceptions when we are low on particular crops).
Skills Desired
- Good communication skills, able to give and receive constructive feedback, comfortable asking questions
- Excellent work ethic, self-motivated, ability to work both alone and in a team
- Strong desire to learn all aspects of a farm business
- Ability to work outside for long hours in all weather conditions
- Willingness to fully commit to the farm for the main season (May through September)
- Ability to regularly lift 40 pounds
- Valid driver’s license
- Excellence in Ultimate frisbee
- Intermediate to advanced guitar, with a preference for Grateful Dead
Farm Life
We live on the farm with our 6-year-old son and much of our social life is centered around the farm with frequent visits from friends and family (in non-pandemic years!). We expect you to treat our farm, our tools, our animals, and our community with care and a positive attitude. We hope any conflicts that do come up can be handled through discussion and changing whatever the source of conflict is, understanding that nobody benefits from negative energy in their life. Our hope in bringing someone on to help is that it will reduce our stress and free up some time, not tie us up in personal conflicts or drama.
Depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic, staff will be considered part of our social “bubble.” Staff will be expected to follow guidelines laid out by federal, state, and local officials regarding personal hygiene, wearing masks, social distancing, minimizing travel, and not working if any symptoms of illness are present.
To Apply for a Small Acres Farm Internship
Send a cover letter and resume to info@smallacresfarm.com. We will accept applications until the position is filled. Ideally, we would like to finalize a contract by March 1, 2021. Small Acres does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, race, color, or ethnic origin in the hiring of its personnel. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, members of the LGBTQ community, and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
Small Acres Farm
3811 Hatley Rd
Everson, WA 98247
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