Job description

Great Song Farm, located in New York's Hudson Valley, works to create a community farm based around a CSA supplying fresh vegetables to 65 families through the summer and 40 through the winter. We strive to craft a just, accessible, and transparent food system that is economically viable and fulfilling for both farmers and supporters. Our 2 Suffolk Draft Horses help us with field work and cultivation. A small cow herd grazes our pastures and provides manure. We create and use our own prepared compost from our draft horse and cow manure as the basis for fertility. Our farm is leased from 2 gracious landowners. Both the landowners and Anthony's partner Sarah regularly lend a hand.

Great Song Farm is in the beginning stages of development -- Anthony started the farm in 2010 after 5 years working as an apprentice on other farms. Apprenticing at Great Song is an opportunity to contribute to and learn from a young farm that is still refining its systems and has great potential.

Size of farm: 90 acres: 4 acres cultivated, 26 acres pasture, 10 acres wetland, and 50 acres in forest. Nearby an additional 90 acres is leased including 40 acres hayland, and 50 acres woods/wetlands.

Diversity of livestock and produce: A wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers for a 65 member on farm Summer CSA and 40 member Winter CSA. 2 Suffolk draft horses for field work, a small cow herd, and a flock of laying hens for home use.

Skills that can be learned: See Great Song Farm’s skills checklists.

Apprenticeship details: We are seeking 2 apprentices for the 2016 season from April until November. Apprenticeship focus will be on vegetable production including greenhouse seeding and care, direct seeding, field preparation, making and applying compost, cultivation and weeding, transplanting, harvesting, washing, and interaction with CSA members. Pasturing of cows and horses is also included.

We participate in the North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program. If you are interested we are happy to cover the enrollment fee.

We participate in the local CRAFT (collaborative regional apprentice farmer training) program which is a group of farms in the area who host apprentices for a tour of their farm and a presentation on a particular aspect every other week.

Housing: There are a couple rustic housing options on the farm. There is a shared bathroom and kitchen facility.

Compensation: We share vegetarian lunches. Apprentices are supplied with vegetables, and eggs when available. A general stipend of $500/month is included.

Work schedule: Our workweek is Monday through Friday and Saturday Morning. Weekdays are 8-9 hour days with a shared lunch. Saturdays are 6 am til 12:30. There will also be shared, rotating weekend animal and greenhouse chores.

Mentor Farmer: Anthony Mecca
Address of farm: 475 Milan Hill Road, Red Hook, NY 12571
Phone: 845-758-1572
Email: greatsongfarm@riseup.net
Website: www.greatsongfarm.com

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