Organic Farm Apprenticeship – Oz Farm

Oz Farm & Retreat Center; Point Arena (CA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 25,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private 10×12 cabin with wood stove

On-site Wi‑Fi

Family-style dinners 5 nights/week

Communal farm kitchen access

Job summary

Oz Farm & Retreat Center in Mendocino County, California offers a 2027 Organic Farm Apprenticeship. Apprentices gain experience in market gardening, soil prep, propagation, transplanting, pest management, harvesting, and sales/marketing on a fully working production farm with opportunities in irrigation, orchard care, carpentry, and recordkeeping.

Expect a serious, commercial work environment with a strong team; weekly educational discussions and field trips are provided.

Qualifications

• Committed to learning organic farming practices.
• Able to work in a hands-on, physical environment.
• Good communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Participate in market gardening tasks including soil prep, propagation, transplanting, and harvesting.
• Assist with sales/marketing at farmers markets and CSA pickups.
• Support irrigation, orchard care, carpentry and general farm maintenance as needed.
• Engage in educational discussions and field trips on sustainable agriculture.

Skills

Team player

Strong work ethic

Curiosity about agriculture

Manual labor tolerance

Tools

Farm tools

Job description

Applications are now open for our 2027 Organic Farm Apprenticeship season at Oz Farm!Please read the description and expectations below fully before applying for the apprenticeship program. We look forward to hearing from you!

ABOUT THE FARM:

Oz Farm is an organic farm, non-profit and retreat center which has operated for over 20 years on the banks of the Garcia River in Mendocino County, California. Oz Farm is on the traditional land of the Pomo People. We grow vegetables, flowers and heirloom apples on 6 acres in production for local farmer’s markets, grocery stores, restaurants, and our CSA program. We provide education in sustainable agriculture for beginning farmers, and expand local organic food access through our nonprofit, Village Oz. We also host retreats and weddings through our Retreat Center.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Our Apprenticeship is an educational, hands‑on experience in small‑scale organic agriculture on a fully working production farm. Apprentices will practice engaging body and mind in the art and science of tending the land. Working closely with the farm managers, each apprentice will have the opportunity to develop their craft in the fundamental aspects of market gardening: field and soil preparation, propagation, transplanting, cultivation and pest management, harvesting, and sales/marketing. Apprentices may also develop skills in closely related areas such as irrigation, orchard care, carpentry, tool use, recordkeeping, and team leadership.

Committed apprentices will find open opportunities to delve more deeply into areas of interest both on the farm and in off-grid living.

Expect a serious, commercial work environment with a strong team of farmers and full days of manual labor. We provide weekly educational topical discussions and supplemental field trips on a wide range of agricultural topics and rural life skills, including soil chemistry and biology, crop planning, botany, seed saving, compost making, orchardry, cider making, farm finances, marketing, floral arranging, off-grid living, intentional community, basic mechanics, food preparation/cooking, and more.

Communal living includes shared kitchen, family-style dinners, weekly community meetings, and rotating weekend farm duties. Our Apprenticeship gives a professional, well rounded and practical education in the wide range of tools and techniques for diversified vegetable production and marketing, as well as modeling a sustainable lifestyle where apprentices gain invaluable experience in off-grid communal living. Please note that we are currently not able to accommodate pets due to other animals residing on the farm.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

A strong, stable person who can fully engage the farm lifestyle and has a natural curiosity for understanding agriculture and developing work skills. A good team member who starts each workday prepared and ready to work with a sense of presence. Someone who observes carefully, takes initiative, and handles responsibility well. A thoughtful communicator and caring community member with an interest in intentional living. We are looking for serious, hardworking applicants who are in good health and are ready to dive into the work of farming and take full responsibility for this opportunity to learn and practice organic agriculture. During the apprenticeship period, applicants should plan to not have other commitments that interfere with the apprenticeship or community responsibilities.

SAMPLE WORK WEEK AT OZ:

• Monday: Farm Chores, Team Meeting, Crop Car
• Tuesday: Harvest for CSA, Field work, Projects
• Wednesday: Propagation, Transplanting, Field work
• Thursday: Farm Education, Field Trips, Projects
• Friday: Harvest and pack for Farmer’s Markets
• Expect a minimum of 40 hours of work on the farm each week, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm Monday – Friday. Apprentices also rotate Farmer’s Market duties Saturday mornings from 8:00 am – 1 pm from June until end of October.

COMPENSATION:

In exchange for your season of dedication and focus, the apprenticeship offers a practical hands‑on training in organic market gardening and the wide array of skills necessary to operate a small farm. Engaged and driven apprentices will leave Oz Farm with invaluable skills in both farming and community living that will serve well for a lifetime.

Apprentices will earn a cash take from farmers market sales. Additional paid hourly work is often available for apprentices on weekends during the peak season at the Retreat Center.

As part of your work exchange all apprentices will be provided room and board:

• Private 10×12 cabin with wood burning stove, running water, and small solar array.
• Access to the communal farm kitchen that is stocked with:
  • seasonal farm fresh produce
  • bulk food items (no meat or dairy)
  • outdoor shower and indoor bathtub/shower
  • large front and back porch
  • a lounge area with loft space for guests
  • washing machine & dryer
• on site Wi‑Fi internet access
• Family‑style plant‑based dinner 5 nights/week
• The opportunity to pursue passion projects on the farm outside of the work week

KEY DATES:

Tentative apprenticeship dates: Late April – Early November
Application Deadline: Applications are now open for our 2027 season and will be accepted until 12:00 midnight PST, January 3, 2027.