Full-Time Farm Apprentice

Employment Dates: Seasonal, April through October

Connemara Farm is a small non-certified organic farm to table operation (80 acres with 2 + acres in vegetable production and potential to expand to 15 acres) located Hawks, MI (Northeast Lower).  We also own and operate a Farm To Table Cafe (Chicory Cafe) in Rogers City where we supply much of the produce for the cafe and farm processed products.  Connemara Farm will be adding a CSA program in 2015 as well as participate in local farmer’s markets. In addition to growing non-certified organic vegetables and fruit, the farm also raises poultry with the possibilities of adding sheep and/or swine in 2015. 

 

About the Program

We are seeking a hardworking, high energy apprentice who will get the opportunity to manage several crops and work in our cafe. Farm owners – Dave and Michelle have a combined 50+ years of experience in agriculture production and value-added agriculture. The apprentice will receive a small stipend, have a 5-6 day work week, housing is available, and get the opportunity to tour a minimum of two additional farms over the course of a season.

 

We are committed to improving food access to our region and are also working on developing a food hub that will also include trainings, farmer to farmer networking (started in 2014), business planning and other related opportunities.  Apprentices will participate and have an opportunity to become involved in this process as well in 2015.

 

Farm Apprenticeship Description

The farm Apprentice will work closely with the owners. He/She will be involved in all aspects of the farming operation including harvesting, field work, greenhouse production, construction, livestock care, property maintenance and retail sales.  The apprentice will also have the added opportunity to work at the cafe, assessing inventory and menu items needed from farm, helping prep, cook, and other duties related to a farm to table operation. Since we own both sides of the farm to table equation, apprentices will have a unique opportunity to experience how farming, food and cafe operations work together. Will also have the opportunity to grow your own produce in the Kitchen Garden.

 

Duties and Requirements will include but are not limited to:

Field Work: field prep, planting, weeding, harvesting, crop maintenance, irrigation setup and maintenance and field cleanup

Post-harvest Handling: washing and packaging of produce as needed

Field Scouting: monitoring plant health and pest pressure

Property Maintenance: mowing, trimming, planting, weeding

Livestock Management: watering, feeding and movement of pastured chickens and hogs

Chicken Processing: set up and sterilization of processing equipment, processing of chickens, break down and cleanup

Produce and Prepare Value-added Products: work in our commercial kitchen canning and preparing fresh food for resale or for use in the cafe.

Prepare weekly CSA shares and interact with CSA share partners (being an extension of Dave and Michelle)

Social Media: Update Facebook and Website for Farm/Cafe

Construction: help with farm infrastructure projects including high tunnel construction

Learn to develop a farm work plan, forecast planting, harvesting and supplying the cafe, a CSA and farm markets.

 

Ideal candidates will have a positive attitude and passion for sustainable food systems, have at least one year of farm/apprentice work, have good interpersonal skills, be a hard-working, be enthusiastic, be a team player, be flexible, appreciate good food and be willing to work independently. Apprentices must be able to follow directions, be quick to learn, take criticism and be detail-oriented. Must be physically fit and able to lift 60 pounds. Must have a car/license for transportation. Non-smoking work environment. No pets.

 

Full time hours are 40-50 hours a week.

Position is from April – Oct (but will have CSA shares from May through December). Priority will be to those that can commit to an entire season.

 

Application Instructions

Please send letter of interest and resume via email to [log in to unmask]. Must be prepared to provide 3 work references (not a relative), if you are to be hired.


 

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