Apprenticeship leading to Farm Manager and free Land Lease Our 11 acre, diverse family farm in NE Georgia, Broad River Pastures, was established in 2010. We focus on the preservation and breeding of the American Guinea Hog, a rare heritage southern American breed, education, and biointensive gardening. We produce nutrient-dense food and cook with local ingredients from our farm and neighboring farms. Through presentations, farm tours, Facebook, Instagram, Podcast Interviews, and articles we help connect people with their food, educate about local, sustainable farming, and inspire others to do their part to raise clean, local food and support their local farmers. You can learn more about us and what we do on a daily basis by checking out three sites: www.broadriverpastures.com; www.facebook.com/broadriverpastures; https://www.instagram.com/p/94StiBkc4L/. Please learn a bit about our operation before applying for an internship.

This Apprentice/Farm Manager position is open now, and we are accepting applications. We are seeking an experienced person with ambition who is ready to take things to the next level in terms of initiative and responsibility. The farm manager will take over daily livestock and garden chores after an optional apprenticeship period. We offer an option to reduce hours on our operation to farm a piece of land rent-free and start your own farm within a farm, marketing and selling both our products and yours. This is a woman owned farm and women are highly encouraged to join our team. We will give you close supervision and guided practice while you are learning new routines, and opportunities with little to no supervision as skills are mastered. Safety of people and animals is a focus and priority on the farm.

Desirable traits include good oral and written communication skills, a positive attitude, flexibility, love of animals, responsible work ethic, and appreciation of delicious pastured meat, eggs, vegetables, and herbs. We are isolated in a bucolic, agricultural community, surrounded by a rural church, tree farm, and wooded riverside property under trust. The area has clean air and water and is 40 miles from shopping and heavily populated areas. We have breath-taking sunrises, sunsets, moon rises, rainbows, and views of the Milky Way. The privacy and isolation out here offer a wonderful retreat from noisy urban or busy suburban life. The farm is fenced and gated with two full time Livestock Guardian Dogs, one English Shepherd, two barn cats, and a house cat in residence. Our working animals are part of Team BRP.

Housing
We offer boarding on the farm in a private, furnished, clean and comfortable apartment. Boarding is paid weekly in advance and is deducted from your weekly stipend. Options for reimbursement of boarding fee will be considered in the form of bonuses for commitment to a full season on the farm.  Included with boarding is a clean and comfortable room, furnishings including a queen sized bed, dishes, pots and pans, linens for bedroom and bath, high-speed internet, a well stocked kitchen, heating, air conditioning, electricity, filtered well water, trash pick up, recycling, organic coffee, paper products, and non-toxic cleaning supplies. We provide dinner once a week at our planning meeting and send you home with a ration of meat, eggs, and vegetables from the farm. You are responsible for cooking other meals, keeping the apartment clean, reporting any problems, and purchasing your own groceries. This is comfortable, clean, and safe housing.

Responsibilities
Physical labor involving feeding, watering, moving, and restraining livestock, loading and unloading feed bags, hauling hay, making compost, and planting, watering, harvesting, and marketing crops. Other responsibilities include driving the tractor, attaching hitches, and pulling livestock shelters from paddock to paddock for grazing rotations. Maintain hoses and attachments, assist in keeping records and making observations of livestock, feed, etc. Humane care of animals with safety as a priority. Clear communication, respect for property, and following safety protocol is expected.

Learning opportunities
One to one mentoring, immersion, demonstrations, weekly meetings with feedback, planning, and goal setting, farm visits, discounted farm conferences, agricultural workshops, access to farming magazines and a complete library of agricultural topics.

Qualifications
Must have health insurance and a valid drivers license, be a permanent U.S. resident, have good health and stamina, adequate life and farm experience, references, and a positive attitude. Smokers need not apply. We cannot accommodate any pets or children for this opportunity. You must come to the farm for a face to face interview. Clear oral and written communication skills are a must. References will be checked. Our major product is pork, and we promote pastured pork and lard as healthy foods.

Hours
Most weeks you will work approximately 40 hours to start. However, we work around sunrises and sunsets and jobs that are time sensitive. Weather can affect the ability to complete tasks. Additional time off for scheduled special events or holidays can be given by arrangement. Hourly stipend payment is under $15 and will increase according to skill level and responsibility. After completion of 3-6 months with successful progress, options to farm on our land can be considered in conjunction with part time co-management of our farm.