Apprentice-Williamstown, MA

Organization: Caretaker Farm

Position Title: Apprentice

Location: Williamstown, MA

Hours and Compensation: Not listed.

Application Deadline:  Not listed.

Job Description:

Caretaker Farm, established in 1969, is a community supported farm, that provides vegetables and fruits for 275 families, and the annual training of 3 or 4 apprentices within the framework and principles of organic agriculture. We also provide food weekly to a community hot meals program and a food pantry.

The farm, while primarily directed to vegetable production, has mixed livestock (Beef Cows, Goats, Pigs, Chickens, and Bees), one greenhouse, 3 hoophouses, an orchard, and a bakery. Nestled in a picturesque valley, Caretaker Farm covers 34 acres of forest land, meadow, pasture, vegetable fields, two ponds, and is bisected by a meandering stream.

The education includes full immersion into the inner workings of a small scale family farm from soil preparation and greenhouse propagation to weed control and harvesting. There is a vast amount of education derived from the active participation in all of the farming systems throughout the season. We also are active participants and founding members of CRAFT.

We also share all of our farm planning materials developed over the winter, provide weekly farm tours, share literary resources that support out work, distribute weekly farm management information, teach fall workshops specific to the interests of the apprentices, facilitate monthly feedback sessions on both field work and community life, and provide support as apprentices develop the dreams of their farming future.

Apprentices live on the farm in heated cabins and have their own kitchen. In addition to room and partial board, apprentices receive a stipend of $850 per month, workers’ compensation, internet, clothes washing facilities, access to an agricultural library and a week of vacation. Apprentices can come for a short season(mid-May through the end of August) or a full season (start of April through the end of October).

Please visit www.caretakerfarm.org to learn more about our apprenticeship opportunities.