Here’s what the job involves:
At Red Shirt Farm we believe that it’s not enough to know, you must know how. That’s why you will participate in all aspects of managing and running a diverse regenerative small-scale vegetable and animal farm during your time as an apprentice.
On the vegetable side of the operation, you will learn how to seed flats, graft and trellis tomatoes, monitor and water the greenhouses, direct seed and transplant in the fields, amend soil based on soil tests, cover crop, prepare beds, control weeds, manage pests, use tarps and flame weeders for stale seed bedding, harvest, wash and pack, extend the season, make compost, make hay and straw for our own mulch, operate a BCS Walk-behind tractor, sell at a farmers market, deliver to wholesale venues and manage a CSA.
On the animal side of the operation, you will learn about animal husbandry including breeding, incubation, hatching, brooding and pasturing heritage poultry, rearing heritage pigs on pasture, electric fencing and humane processing in our state- licensed mobile poultry processing unit.
The apprenticeship entails about 50-55 hours of work per week, including marketing at the CSA or farmers market for half a day on Saturdays. A typical work day is 6:30am-5:00pm with a mid-morning break and an hour lunch. There are rotating evening and weekend chores and occasional longer days for “emergency” situations.
We have a graduated stipend. Your stipend starts at $1,000/month plus room and board and constant educational opportunities. To acknowledge your improved skill set as well as the increased contribution you are making to the farm, the monthly stipend will increase by $100 on June 20 and on September 12 to $1,100 and $1,200 respectively pending positive performance reviews.
Okay, here’s our description of the ideal person for this job.
You are our ideal candidate if you:
- Are honest, responsible, respectful, reliable and self-motivated;
- Take pride in doing high quality work;
- Work well with others and individually;
- Have a good sense of humor and a desire to have fun;
- Are excited about living in community with others;
We need people who:
- Are ready to learn;
- Can take and give direction;
- Are excited about working intensely with all types of people;
- Have a “beginner’s mind” and are open to receiving constructive feedback.
Good people skills are important. You should:
- Display a friendly, energetic and engaged demeanor when interacting with CSA members and customers at the farmers markets;
- Be comfortable interacting with and leading volunteers, student work groups and WWOOFERs.
Our apprentices are held to high standards for:
- Organization,
- Attention to detail,
- Communication,
- Positive attitude,
- Respect and kindness for coworkers,
- Work quality,
- Work ethic,
- Punctuality.
The work is physically demanding and can be repetitive at times. You should:
- Be very physically fit and able to lift at least 55 pounds,
- Be comfortable bending, squatting, kneeling and lifting for extended periods,
- Expect to get dirty on a regular basis,
- Be prepared to work in all weather conditions (wind, rain, heat, cold),
- Find enjoyment in doing manual labor.
A few other requirements…
- A valid driver’s license and clean driving record,
- Your own transportation,
- Health insurance,
- Non- smoker.
We’re looking for an apprentice who wants to make a difference.
Who to contact:
Jim (Farmer/owner)- Cell: (413) 822-9250
Email: [email protected]
Sarah (Farm manager)- Cell: (518) 429-9202
Email: [email protected]