Caretaker Farm Apprenticeship

Caretaker Farm; Williamstown (MA); On-site; USD 20,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Farm vegetables

Workers’ compensation

WiFi

Library access

Paid vacation

Job summary

Caretaker Farm in Massachusetts offers a hands-on apprenticeship focused on sustainable crop production and farm operations. You'll work alongside the farmer, participate in weekly tours, and engage with the CRAFT training program to build practical skills and a farming career.

The 5.5-day workweek is demanding but designed for motivated individuals who value teamwork, initiative, and caring for the land. Compensation includes a $2000/month stipend, housing, wifi, and paid vacation, with

Qualifications

• Strong vocational interest in farming or agricultural development.
• Self-motivated; takes initiative.
• Reliable, responsible, and professional.
• Work well in teams and individually.
• Good sense of humor.
• Appreciates high-quality work/products.
• Eager to live and collaborate in a community.
• Deep respect for others and the land.
• Hard-working and physically capable.
• Able to lift 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily farm operations alongside the farmer.
• Participate in weekly on-farm tours.
• Engage in the CRAFT apprentice training program.
• Set goals and have monthly check-ins.
• Discuss interests to tailor learning path.

Skills

Farming interest

Initiative

Reliability

Teamwork

Respect for land

Physically fit

Self-motivation

Community living

Job description

Caretaker Farm, established in 1969, is a community supported farm, that provides vegetables and fruits for 300 families during a summer CSA and 155 families through a winter CSA. We also provide food weekly to a community hot meals program. Annually, we train apprentices within the framework and principles of sustainable agriculture. The farm, while primarily dedicated to vegetable production, has mixed livestock (4 Pigs and 100 Chickens), 1 greenhouse, 4 hoophouses, 2 caterpillar tunnels, an orchard and a bakery. The farm uses a mix of no-till and low-till methods that are managed to enhance the relationship between the land and our farm members. Over three hundred families visit the farm each week to pick up their CSA shares and the connections made have provided past apprentices with all types of opportunities to engage with community activities. Apprentices can also choose to use their free time hanging out next to the stream that runs by their cabin and delve into selections from our extensive agricultural lending library. For over 45 years Caretaker Farm has trained more than 160 apprentices that currently manage farms across the country and around the world. Caretaker Farm's mission is to provide nourishment to all who come into contact with the farm. Through connection with the land that grows our food, our community learns about care for each other and the earth. For more information, visit our website at www.caretakerfarm.org.

Internship Details:

The structure of the apprenticeship consists of assisting with the everyday operation on the farm, weekly on-farm tours, participation in the CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) apprentice training program, working alongside the farmer, goal setting, monthly check-ins, and specific discussions based on the apprentice’s interest. 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.

The farm workweek of 5.5 days is challenging and the work itself is attuned to, and dependent upon, qualities of caring, persistence, efficiency, initiative, and teamwork. The apprentice’s responsibility and work experience covers all phases of sustainable crop production. We present a wide foundation of education through sharing of management materials, farm visits, workshops, weekly farm management task lists, weekly farm tours, structured feedback sessions, agricultural lending library, etc., that gives apprentices the tools to move toward their own farming dream.

The mentorship provided through the apprenticeship includes both the practical understanding of how to manage a small scale sustainable farm and assistance to integrate the connection of the work with ones individual values.

Educational Opportunities:

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.

Internship Starts: April 1st-May 25th, 2027
Internship Ends: October 31st, 2027
Number of Apprenticeships Positions Available: 3
Application Deadline: Rolling Admission until Filled

Skills Desired:

While previous farming experience is not a prerequisite, the program is most suitable for those who feel they have a serious vocational interest in farming and/or agricultural development. We seek apprentices who are self motivated; take initiative; are reliable, responsible, and professional; work well with others and individually; have a good sense of humor; appreciate high quality work/products; are excited about living in community with others; possess a deep respect for others and the land; work hard; and are able to lift 50 lbs.

Stipend:

Compensation: $2000/month.

• housing and farm vegetables, workers’ compensation, wifi, clothes washing facilities, access to an agricultural library, a week of paid vacation, and two additional paid days off.