Summer Farm Internship in Williamstown
Learn all you need to know to start your own small vegetable farm
Bigfoot Farm is looking for an awesome intern for the 2022 summer season. Located in south Williamstown on one acre of leased land, Bigfoot Farm grows a variety of vegetables for sale at the local farmers’ market and area restaurants. The farm employs no-spray, reduced tillage management practices and seeks to improve soil health and support the surrounding ecosystem.
Website: https://www.bigfootlikesfarming.com/
Instagram: @bigfootlikesfarming
This internship is structured to provide all the training you need to feel confident in starting your own vegetable farm. At the beginning of each week we will take a deep dive into the theory and practice of a key aspect of farming which the intern will apply throughout the week in their daily work. The farmer will work alongside the intern to demonstrate, answer questions and continue the conversation, but the intern will also be excepted to gain independent proficiency in each aspect. There will be structured check-ins throughout the week where we can each share feedback, thoughts and questions. The internship will culminate in an intern directed business plan for their own future farm.
This is an opportunity to learn through hands-on instruction, working one-on-one with an experienced farmer. This internship will be hard: there will be lots of repetitive work, all of it done out of doors, and you’ll get your hands dirty. But, you’ll get to learn all about how plants grow, watch the birds nest and the weather change, and work alongside a young farmer as we feed our community.
This internship will provide specific instruction on the following aspects of farming:
Pre-season planning
Propagation
Soil preparation
Non-chemical weed and pest management
Harvesting, washing and packaging produce
Tools and equipment
Grant writing
Farmers’ market, CSA, and restaurant sales
Bookkeeping
Land access
Financial planning
Life and career planning
*And, most importantly, how to think big while hustling with the daily minutiae!
Qualifications and expectations:
-Some previous farm experience is a must, though candidates without experience but lots of enthusiasm will be considered
-Excited to learn about farming/considering a future in farming
-Willing to work hard in all weather conditions
-Willing to work outside at a remote location with no facilities
-Ability to follow instructions and incorporate feedback
-Attention to detail
-Flexibility when the schedule changes suddenly
-Ability to hustle—there’s always so much to get done!
-Thrilled at the idea of leaving your smartphone unattended for long stretches of time
-Ability to provide your own transportation to and from the farm
-Not worried about getting your hands dirty!
Compensation: Unpaid, but lots of seasonal veggies to take home
Duration: 6-8 weeks; flexible depending on intern’s schedule
Weekly schedule: 5 days/week, 6-8hours a day. Depending on the needs of the farm, this will require some flexibility. Saturday morning is the farmers’ market in Williamstown.
I am fully vaccinated and boosted, and expect you will be as well.
To apply: email Brian at [email protected] with a little bit about yourself and your interest in this internship
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