Please read entire job description and application details.
You are required to send a letter of intent with your resume.
The New Farmers Full-Year Program is designed for aspiring new farmers.
Apprentices study, work, and live at Moon In The Pond Farm and participate in
all of the broad series of tasks and functions required to support, maintain
and operate a diverse, actively productive, small, sustainable farm. We raise
heritage breed animals (pigs, cattle, sheep, ducks, chickens, and honey bees)
and produce a significant amount of vegetables.
While apprentices are participating in the work and life of the farm, they are
guided in studies in a wide variety of farm related disciplines. The program’s
informal ‘kitchen-table’ and in situ classes, workshops and studies use a
spontaneous, natural curriculum that flows from and follows the seasonal work
of the farm. This total immersion, intensive full year program also teaches
students the nature of responsibility – the ability to respond with honesty,
thoughtfulness, respect and maturity — to our environment in all its aspects:
from weather and seasons, animals and plants, to personal relationships with
family and community, both locally and globally. The New Farmers Program
equips new farmers with working knowledge and familiarity, skills and
awareness of sustainable farm life so that they can lead full and successful
lives as well rounded, capable rural citizens. Our Apprentices are a vital
force on the farm. We look for passionate, intelligent people who can learn
quickly and work hard.
Young farmers also participate in, and learn to conduct aspects of other Moon
In The Pond Farm School programs (e.g.: workshops, classes, tours and farm-to-
farm exchange). On completion of the New Farmers Program participants may have
the opportunity to participate in “Farm Ambassadors”, Moon In The Pond’s
foreign exchange program at Tenuta di Paganico, in Tuscany, Italy.
Apprentices can expect to muck, mulch, milk, mow, herd, hay, harvest, hoe,
water, weed, seed, feed, fence, fix, forage, clean, plant, transplant, tidy,
clean, scrub, pick, stake, rake, wash, build, record, sweep, swear, study,
organize, observe, report, cry, compost, cook, laugh, laugh and laugh. There
are always special projects underway and all projects are special. Work is
life and includes at least 55+ hours/week, with hours and days varying
necessarily. We work hard at a steady pace, outdoors, in the sun/rain, cold/
heat, beautiful Berkshire weather.
Participants stay in their own rooms in the 1810 farm house. Apprentices,
Interns and WWOOFers prepare, cook, and eat meals together, with Farmer Dom,
in the farmhouse kitchen. As part of the homestead household and in keeping
with the full experience of farm life, apprentices share in the upkeep,
housework, daily home maintenance. They have free access to and use of
domestic facilities (bathroom, shower, clothes washer, etc.). Full board is
provided. Meals are all organic and from the farm (veggies, meat, eggs, milk,
yogurt, honey, fruit, etc.) whenever possible.
An Apprentice stipend of $600/month is paid in addition to room, board, and
daily instruction. It is necessary that applicants assess their financial
status and determine if they are able to support themselves for the duration
of their commitment.
Farm Education is currently expanding our educational programs. We are
pursuing the construction of an agricultural education center which would
serve to teach, house interns and apprentices, and produce our value added
products like hot sauce, sauerkraut, and pickles. We are looking for a
dedicated individual that is excited to engage with and participate in the
growth of this non profit.
Moon In The Pond Farm is operated by Farm Education Inc., a certified non-
profit that is determined to make lasting food systems change through hands on
agricultural education. Farm Education Inc. is dedicated to the goal of
building a culturally diverse and pluralistic community committed to teaching
and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages
applications from minorities and women. Please do not hesitate to inquire
about the availability of seasonal positions as well.
Application Requirements
Minimum of one full season of farm experience (3 month growing season) is
required to apply. Varied work experience is valuable. Applicants must be
willing to work long hard days and meet a broad range of physical, mental and
emotional challenges inherent in farm life. Driver’s license required.
A work-trial visit of 7 days is required as early in the application process
as possible. Please make necessary arrangements and provide dates with your
application.
Sequence and Timeline
Potential applicants are encouraged to visit the farm (by arrangement) any
time before beginning the application process.
The following is the typical timeline. We are taking applications now for 1/15
– 2/28 start.
Starting November 1: Applications are accepted until 3 positions are filled.
November through January:
– phone and personal interviews.
– one week (7 day) work–trial-visits are scheduled (required)
January 15 – January February 28: Apprentices are accepted.
February 1 – February 28: Apprentices begin full year. (Please note: In
keeping with the full experience of real farm life, holidays are spent on the
farm.)
To Apply
Submit the following by email to [email protected] and
[email protected] with subject line “Full Year Apprenticeship”
Letter of intent—Give me your story and why you think this would be a good
situation for you. Be specific.
Resume—be sure to include: a) all basic personal information (Address, phone
and cell phone) b) education c) work history—include
dates (month and year), position, and responsibilities held, supervisors’
names, email, and phone numbers.
References–2 work, 2 personal. For each include relationship, current phone
number and email.
Proposed dates for a) phone/personal interview b) work-trial-visit c)
apprenticeship start date.
Recent photo.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $600.00 /month
Job Types: Full-time, Internship
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