$1,100 Stipend—Animal Husbandry & Biodynamic Practices Internship at Three Springs Community Farm

Three Springs Community Farm Foundation; Texas; On-site; USD 11,000 - 13,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing Provided

Food Provided

Job summary

Three Springs Community Farm Foundation seeks Animal Husbandry & Biodynamic Practices Intern for a 10-month program in Northern California’s West Sonoma County on an 80-acre biodynamic farm. Interns complete 40 hours per week of hands-on learning across animal husbandry, rotational grazing, and soil health, with mentoring and alum recommendations for future work or studies.

The program provides on-site single-occupancy trailer housing and farm produce; stipend is $1,100 per month, with

Responsibilities

• Lead activity groups of 6-10 field-trip students during fall and spring
• Complete 40 hours of hands-on learning per week in animal husbandry, rotational grazing, and Biodynamic practices
• Assist with nursery work, vegetable production, harvesting, packing, tillage, irrigation

Job description

Hard work, companionship, seasonal eating and nature immersion rejuvenate the soul and spirit throughout the seasons on the land.

Three Springs Community Farm is currently accepting applications for our 10-12 Month Animal Husbandry & Biodynamic Practices Intern position.

You will leave the Internship skilled-up for a paid employment in regenerative agriculture, or ready to start your own diverse homestead! We provide ongoing career mentoring and recommendations for alums, who have, with our help, gone on to work at some of the most well-respected farms, start their own operations, or enter aligned graduate school programs.

The Internship Program takes place in Northern California (West Sonoma County) on a beautiful 80-acre ranch & Biodynamic Farm. Our Animal Husbandry Interns completes 40 hours of supported hands-on learning per week in our diverse operation, leading to skill-building in many areas, with a focus on animal husbandry, rotational grazing, and applying Biodynamic field sprays and compost teas.

Three Springs Community Farm is a Biodynamic educational farm, with cows, pigs, chickens, vegetables, herbs and flowers–and a donkey named Fern! The farm was founded in 2017 to be a learning farm and retreat for the students, families and faculty of Bay Area Waldorf Schools as well as producing a nutrient-dense CSA box for those families.

We host school children for single and multi-day farm trips each Spring and Fall, host Waldorf-inspired Family Camps in the Summer, and offer family camping throughout the year. We look to the principles of Biodynamic & Regenerative Agriculture, Permaculture, Waldorf Education, Anthroposophy and Social Threefolding to guide our community work, endeavoring together to practice direct and compassionate communication.

The Three Springs Biodynamic Farming Internship offers hands-on experience in regenerative, Biodynamic farming practices such as planting with the moon cycles and applying homeopathic herbal sprays to the soil & compost. Our Internship offers an opportunity to gain experience in all aspects of our diverse farm, including nursery work, vegetable production, harvesting & packing, tillage & farm machinery, animal husbandry and irrigation.

Interns also engage in studies including composting, crop planning, plant families, seeds saving and practical homesteading arts. Study of Rudolf Steiner’s agricultural indications brings students into contact with the microcosm below our feet and within the plants we tend, and the macrocosm of the solar system and stars above us.

Our Farm Interns are important leaders in their own right, guiding and teaching school group students, and volunteers who visit the farm. We host 7 interns at a time.

Interns receive on-site single-occupancy trailer housing (utilities included), farm produce & organic/biodynamic staple foods.

The Animal Husbandry & Biodynamic Practices Intern position is a full time vocational training, Mondays-Fridays, 8 or 9am-4 or 5pm, with 2 morning & evening animal chore shifts.

Additional requirements include a program completion deposit of $400, returned upon successful completion of the internship, and proof of health insurance coverage. Couples who wish to farm together are welcome to apply.

We will set up a phone interview prior to checking your references.

Details at a glance:

• $1,100 per month stipend
• 10 month Internship (Fall through Late Spring/Early Summer; can do 12 months if desired)
• 40 hours of supported hands-on learning per week
• Schedule: 8 Hours per day, Mondays-Fridays (some Saturdays & all Sundays off unless chore shifts fall on these days)
• 1-2 Saturdays per month “classroom” workshops (required attendance)
• 2-3 Morning/Evening Animal/Watering Chore shifts per week additionally required (approximately 1 hour each; these rotate every 6 weeks so you are not stuck with the same days for the entirety of the program)
• Interns also lead activity groups of 6-10 field-trip students in the fall and spring as part of their hours
• Housing Provided: Single-occupancy trailer housing (utilities included)
• Food Provided: farm produce & organic/biodynamic staple foods; some meat, eggs & milk
• Time Off Provided: 4 Floating Holidays; Up to 5 sick days; Spring start: 2 weeks vacation within specific windows; Fall start: 3 weeks vacation negotiated collectively with crew
• Interns purchase their own protein, dairy, fruit and incidentals
• $400 Program & Housing Deposit and proof of health insurance required

Although this is not a job, but an educational program, the Stipend and other Benefits are equivalent to $20 per hour. Interns receive:

• $1,100 per month stipend
• Single occupancy trailer housing (valued at $1,200 / month)
• Utilities (PG&E; refuse, internet, etc. valued at $250 / month)
• Biodynamic & organic food (valued at $300 per month)
• Teaching, Instruction & Mentoring (valued at $400 per month)
• 1 comprehensive checkup, and additional follow ups with a local Integrative Medicine MD to support your health
• 2 Weeks of Vacation for Spring-Summer Interns & 3 Weeks of Vacation for Fall-Spring Interns
• Mandated California Sick Leave
• 4 Floating Holidays during the program

Feel free to review the following websites and films to get a sense of some of our practices:

https://www.sunbridge.edu/what-is-waldorf-education

The Challenge of Rudolf Steiner (part 1 and 2):