Cosmos Organic Farm is seeking full time apprentices to work from February or March to November for the 2017 season with potential for longer term work. 

Cosmos grows a large variety of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and mushrooms on 5 cultivated acres on a 30 acre property in Carrollton, GA. We have been serving farmers markets and restaurants in and around the Atlanta area for the last six years and also now sell through a growing CSA.   We also keep some laying hens, goats, and are looking to add pork and beef.   

Our location is 30 acres of beautiful pasture and woods just 5 miles outside of Carrollton, Ga.  Carrollton has a thriving downtown area with shops, bars, and restaurants that thrives in part due to the college campus (University of West Georgia) found there.  The farm is 50 minutes from downtown Atlanta.  John Tanner State park is also 5 miles away and has a sand beach on a lake, activities, and hiking trails; the Blue Ridge Mountains are an hour and a half drive to the north.   

Apprentices will receive an intense learning/training experience where they are immersed in all aspects of farm production and life.  They will learn about, participate in, or be responsible for:

-Greenhouse growing & management

-Planting/Harvesting/Weed control

-Crop rotation 

-Cover cropping

-Organic/Integrated pest management

-Soil fertility

-Post-Harvest handling & packaging

-Tractor work

-Irrigation

-Farmers Markets

-Restaurant delivery

-CSA fulfillment and/or management

Apprentices will be with the manager on most occasions, can ask questions, enjoy fine conversation, and most importantly, learn by doing!  Towards the end of the apprenticeship, education and discussion about the ‘business of farming’ will also be addressed for those seeking to run their own farms. 

We are looking for people who are eager to work hard, open to learn, and positive in their attitude and communication.  They should have the willingness to work in all kinds of uncomfortable (and sometimes comfortable) weather conditions (heat/cold/wet).  The work is physically demanding, so good physical and mental fitness is necessary. 

Apprentices should be able to listen, follow instructions quickly and successfully, and be interested in how their role and even smallest task fits into the entire picture of the working farm.  We want people who are looking to continue to hone their farming skills, but also who are interested in seeing and participating in what it takes to run a small scale organic farm.  An apprentice must be able to do this while persevering through tough and repetitive farm labor.

Ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly is necessary.  At least one year experience working on an organic farm is preferred but we are also open to people who are simply eager to learn about farming, are positive, and who can work hard.  Apprentices who complete a season should leave the farm feeling confident in their ability to produce a diverse array of vegetables, mushrooms, herbs, and flowers from seed to sales on a small organic farm scale.  This is learned mostly by being a part of all of these processes and by paying attention to how the farm is run and how it works.  You will also have open access to the manager most days to discuss questions and address problems.

Apprentices can expect 4-5 days/week of field work and harvesting, depending on the season, and 1-2 days working a farmers market (i.e. typically one day off a week) totaling 35-60 hours/wk.  The work is strenuous and can at times be monotonous and repetitive (as it is at any working farm).  Every other week, apprentices will be running 2-3 farmers markets on their own. 

Apprentices receive a $725/month stipend.  Housing will be provided in a large two bedroom, two bathroom mobile home with a big eat-in kitchen, and living room; or one large camper (for one person, sharing the bathroom in the house).  Everyone has their own bedroom.  Homes are located on the property.  Utilities and internet are included.  Apprentices will also have access to farm food and some limited vacation time.