Company description

Virtue Cider is located among acres of vibrant Western Michigan farmland and orchards. We make all of our craft ciders on-site in our cider houses where you can tour our facilities among all our barrels where our cider is aged.

The farm at Virtue Cider provides a picturesque setting for sharing cider and food with friends and family. Situated on a working farm, Virtue Cider also grows heritage vegetables (available for purchase during the summer), as well as heritage breed animals (pigs, chickens, sheep). We have comfortable and beautiful places to enjoy a glass of fresh cider, whether you're near the cider houses, walking through the farm grounds, or sneaking away into our serene shade garden. Check out list of upcoming events at the farm — we always have something fun in store.

Job description

Virtue Cider Farm Incubator Project is a land-share initiative that aims to supply new and aspiring farmers with a tillable plot, accessible resources, and storefront exposure, in hopes to develop one's skills and further local small business. By supplying a launching off point, the Incubator Project hopes to ease the start-up process by lending land, providing access to water and electricity, and following through with on-site encouragement. At Virtue Cider, we source local Michigan apples for cider production and by doing so have made inspiring ongoing friendships with neighboring farmers. The stories they have shared about the notable Michigan beauty and the ups-and-downs of working through the seasons has inspired us to launch this land-share program and open up our 48 acre property in yearlong increments to motivated agriculturally-minded individuals with existing businesses or sustainable concepts. If your business is selected, you’ll have opportunities to vend on our pop-up markets, sell products in our bottle shop, and partner with Virtue Cider in educating guests that visit us on your agri-business process through hosted workshops.

VIRTUE CIDER INCUBATOR FARM BENEFITS

• Trial Period Access to 1/4 acre of tillable pasture for 1 year, with an opportunity of up to 1 acre over the course of 4 years contingent on proven progression.
• Water Access, limited electrical access and greenhouse February-March
• Business development support through farm stand retail opportunities
• Access to monthly educational opportunities through the Know Your Farmer series at Virtue Cider
• Field consultation from the Virtue Cider Farm Operations Manager
• A supportive community and network of farmers, food and beverage specialists, and industry influences.
• Access at a prorated cost to the Virtue Cider Farm tool shed

ASSOCIATED COSTS

Approved Land Access - Free

Tool Shed Access - $200 Monthly

All tools must be reserved 24 hours in advance, and notation must be made regarding the use of the item, and the time they will be used, and they must be put back in their places, clean at the end of the sign out.

• Rakes
• Hoes
• Shovels
• Fuel cans
• Hammers
• Drill
• Handsaw
• Post puller
• Post digger
• T-posts
• 30 gallon trash cans
• Wheelbarrows

FARM EQUIPMENT NOT INCLUDED - Virtue ATVs , Tractors, Forklift, actual fuel unless you replace, electric fences, fencers or hard-panel fencing.

ELIGIBILITY

• Must have demonstrated farming experience, such as a background in family farming, homesteading, on-farm employment, internships, participation in Virtue Cider Farm programs, or similar training
• Must have a clear farm business concept and commitment to farming with respect for the land.
• Individuals interested in educating guests and tourists about the work and part they play in Virtue’s Incubator program, and about the processes they use in their agricultural programming.
• Individuals with positive life outlook, upbeat attitudes, and an honest work ethic.

Virtue Cider Farms Incubator Agreement - I understand that by applying for the above mentioned programming, I’m agreeing the eligibility statements about me are true. If accepted to participate in the program, I understand that my ability to represent the accuracy of my business plan in respect to the property being lended. I understand that 1st year use of the land is rent free, but upheld to the standards of cleanliness and guest interactions required in conjunction with being located at Virtue Cider, which is dedicated to hard cider production and agritourism. With my participation in the program, I understand an ability to partner in direct sales to consumers, by participating in Virtue’s Pop-Up Markets throughout harvest months and other hosted event opportunities. I understand that if accepted, I’ll lead two workshops for guests of Virtue Cider a year. I understand that if I choose to retail my products at Virtue Cider in the gift shop, Virtue Cider will purchase from me at a wholesale price.

Application instructions

Deadline

March 15, 2019