Company description

Square Roots Farm is a diversified family farm located on 185 acres in Lanesborough, Massachusetts entering our eleventh year of operation. We use rotational grazing to build healthy soils and raise exceptional livestock, and are transitioning to no-till systems for growing vegetables.  We follow organic practices and work to honor, restore, and build upon relationships among people, animals, food, and the land. Our customer base spans multiple cross-sections of our community, from seasonal tourists and second home owners to middle class residents and families facing financial struggles.  We vend at farmers' markets that serve low income communities by accepting and doubling SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits. 

 

Our farm team consists of owners Michael & Ashley, vegetable manager Lisa, egg washer Chris, 5000 meat chickens, 1000 laying hens, 150 turkeys, 30 head of Devon cattle, 24 pigs and two apprentices.

 

This year, we will be restarting our vegetable CSA after a two year, baby-induced hiatus, adding additional rented acres for our growing beef herd, and putting in an on-farm retail store.

Internship description

This year, we are hiring for two different positions - a livestock focused apprenticeship, and a vegetable focused apprenticeship. There will be plenty of crossover - livestock apprentices should expect to spend some days transplanting onions, and vegetable apprentices should expect to spend some days processing chickens. We believe in the value of seeing the big picture, so we want all farm employees to understand our practices, principles, and vision and to see for themselves the interconnected nature of the farm ecosystem.

 

The vegetable apprenticeship will provide the apprentice with the practical skills to take on a vegetable manager or crew leader position at a similar scale farm, or to start their own farm.  The apprentice will come away with competence and confidence in a wide variety of concrete tasks, as detailed below, that involve the daily andd seasonal care rhythms of vegetable production. She or he will also leave with a deep sense of the why's and how's of regenerative agriculture, including building soil through reduced tillage, cover cropping, mulching and composting.

 

We're looking for someone who is a fast learner and who is ready to take on responsibility.  We enjoy teaching and helping people learn and perfect new skills. While this apprenticeship is designed to give candidates the experience and confidence necessary to pursue a career in sustainable vegetable production, it can also be a great experience for someone who is exploring agriculture or who is not yet on a settled path. 

 

Previous farm experience is great, but not required. We want someone who is passionate, energetic, and responsible. We want someone who can still smile after four hours in 40 degree rain, who likes the way their muscles feel when they are tired. We want someone who can lift 50lbs, asks good questions, and who has a drivers license.

 

Timing: April 1 - Late November

 

Below is a partial list of tasks that we expect the apprentice will learn to regularly complete by the end of the apprenticeship:

Independently:

• Greenhouse operations: soil block, seed, water
• Tunnel work: open/close sides, trellis/prune
• Harvest: ability to harvest all varieties, wash/pack, direct others to do the same
• Field Work: transplant, cultivate, weed
• Irrigation: lay lines, fix leaks
• Farmers Market
• Operate tractor/loader to prep beds or move compost/mulch

 

In Group:

• Laying mulch or compost
• Build/cover tunnels
• CSA Pick-Up
• Laying tarps/plastic

Compensation this position is : stipend / non-monetary compensation
Details: Room - Cozy yurt or rustic camper, tucked into the woods below the garden, with wood stove and propane cooktop, and composting outhouse. Access to laundry and bathroom facilities and wireless internet in the farmhouse. . Board - Shared breakfasts and lunches, all you can eat vegetables, "farmer" eggs and chicken, and some kitchen staples. Discount on meats. . Stipend - depends on experience, starting at $850/month . Education - CRAFT Program (http://www.craftfarmapprentice.com/). Twice-monthly trips to nearby farms with other farm apprentices to learn about what each of these farms does best. . Work side-by-side with and learn from experienced, small scale, sustainable farmers. Application instructions Deadlineno deadline