Company description

The 700-acre Oak Spring estate is located in Upperville, VA - which is nestled in the Virginia Piedmont, between the Blue Ridge and Bull Run mountains. The foundation’s mission is to support fresh thinking and bold action on the history and future of plants, including the culture of gardens, and landscapes and the importance of plants for human well-being. Our Biocultural Conservation Farm (BCCF) plays an important role in fulfilling this mission. Established in spring of 2019, the BCCF’s current objectives are rooted in food production, conservation and education.

In 2020, the BCCF donated approximately 22,000 lbs of fresh produce to several food banks and pantries in our community. Additionally, we run a small Community Supported Agriculture (‘CSA’) program over 25-weeks from May-October in which customers pick-up a curated share of fresh vegetables once a week on the farm. In 2021, we had 33 CSA members, and are planning to expand to 50 members for the 2022 season. The BCCF also focuses on providing our visiting artists in residence with access to produce and plant material grown on the farm during their stays here.

Due to our unique geographical location and the agro-biodiversity and cultural foodways that exist within this region, we are very interested in growing and preserving heirloom crops that have a cultural and historical significance. In addition to the high-intensity, ecologically grown vegetable production on the farm, we also have several plots dedicated to production of seed as well as plants used by humans for natural dyeing, papermaking, fiber, medicine, and more.

Internship description

Oak Spring Garden Foundation is now accepting applications for two full-time seasonal farm apprentices to work on our Biocultural Conservation Farm. These positions will begin early January 2023 and will go until December 2023. The selected individuals will work at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation’s Biocultural Conservation Farm (BCCF) to assist with the production of vegetables to be used on site, for our small Community Supported Agriculture ‘CSA’, and to be donated to local food banks. In addition to working on the BCCF, both positions will work with our Arboricultural, Conservation and Landscape team for the months of January and February to assist with winter fruit tree pruning and invasive species management. These positions are ideally suited to recent college graduates (not required) with a passion for food, farming, plants and landscapes who are looking to gain hands-on experience with small-scale, ecological farming practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Work closely with the Biocultural Conservation Farm (BCCF) Farm Manager and team in all farm-related responsibilities, to include:

• Proper care and ongoing maintenance of the production fields, production greenhouse and hoophouse, seed-saving and utility plant plots, cold frames, native pollinator plots, appropriate trees and open spaces.
• Actively participating in all facets of small-scale food production including: bed preparation, planting, watering, weeding, pruning, spreading compost, mulching and propagation of cultivated species.
• Harvesting, washing, packing, weighing, and delivering of fruits and vegetables.
• Managing CSA pick-up for 8-10 weeks out of the 25-week CSA season with one other team member, and in rotation.
• Maintaining a clean and safe workplace within the BCCF Pack House (outdoor wash station, pack room and walk-in cooler), as well as the greenhouses. Maintenance to include: sweeping, mopping, cleaning and sanitizing of tabletop surfaces, harvest bins and tools, sinks, wash tubs, etc.
• Assist with the maintenance of the seed-saving and utility plant plots (bed preparation, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting and cleaning of seed, etc.)
• Assist in the proper care and maintenance of our pastured poultry flock to include: feeding, changing water, harvesting eggs, letting the flock out of the coop in the morning and putting them up later in the day, observing for injuries or illnesses, etc. This may also include assisting in taking some of the birds to be processed for meat.
• Work one weekend a month from January – December – weekend duties include taking care of chickens, managing field and greenhouse irrigation, light harvesting and washing of vegetables (depending on season), mowing, etc.
• Willingness to learn the use of light and heavy equipment and exercise safety precautions when using. Equipment may include: farm pick-up trucks, a BCS two-wheel walk-behind tractor, weed-eaters, tractors, leaf blowers, riding lawn mower, etc.
• Willingness to assist in any OSGF and/or farm-related ticketed events as needed.
• Engaging with the BCCF volunteers while they are here for their weekly shifts in a positive and welcoming manner. Assisting in answering their questions and demonstrating proper techniques for the assigned task.
• Assist in sharing photography and BCCF updates with the Farm Manager and the OSGF Communications Team.

Other projects as assigned by the Biocultural Conservation Farm Manager.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

October 01, 2022