Apprenticeship Opportunity
| Brookfield Farm
is a living learning center and becoming an apprentice provides a comprehensive
experience of our farm, from the inside out. Apprentices work in
all aspects of the farm’s production, from soil preparation to harvest,
from tractors to hand hoes, from administration to marketing farm products.
During the course of the full season, apprentices are given the information and time to learn the essential skills needed to manage a mixed organic/biodynamic farm on their own. In return apprentices are expected to give their labor for the daily working of the farm. This is a management training position - if you are looking to learn how to manage a farm, not just how to “go out and hoe,” this is the place for you. |
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| The apprenticeship program is a project of the Biodynamic Farmland Conservation Trust, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation that also owns and operates Brookfield Farm. The Trusts' mission is to promote a wider adoption of ecologically based sustainable agriculture techniques, primarily by training farmers. We offer apprenticeships to those people who have demonstrated an interest and shown dedication to being students and practitioners of sustainable agriculture. |
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| The work schedule is
Monday through Friday, 6am - 5pm (with one hour breaks for breakfast and
lunch) and Saturdays until noon. All apprentices also take part in a rotating
chore schedule, with responsibilities one weekend out of three. The apprenticeship
begins April 1 and concludes the day before Thanksgiving (no partial season
apprenticeships are possible). A stipend of $750/mo (starting), housing, farm produce, weekday lunches at the farmhouse, and full
health insurance are provided.
In addition, all apprentices may take part in the CRAFT program, which offers visits to a wide variety of organic and biodynamic farms in the Northeast for in-depth tours. At these visits apprentices from all participating farms will gather and have a chance to be introduced to different techniques from market gardeners, CSA growers, dairy farmers, and orchardists. There is also a wide array of relevant resources in the immediate area including an agricultural university, the New England Small-Farm Institute (with an excellent alternative agriculture library), as well as many working farms. |
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| Anyone with a serious interest in agriculture and the physical ability to work the long hours of a farming schedule will be considered. To apply, send a letter of intent and a resume to Brookfield Farm. All interested applicants are encouraged to set up a time to visit and work on the farm. All hiring decisions will be made on a first come, first serve basis. All of our positions are filled for the 2010 season. We usually fill our positions in the fall before the season begins. If you are interested in the 2011 season please arrange for a visit in the summer of 2010. |