Equipment/Special Projects – Sylvester Manor
Last Updated On: January 6th, 2025 at 10:47AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:80 North Ferry Road
PO Box 2029
Shelter Island, New York, 11964
Primary Contact: Arielle Gardner
Secondary Contact: Tracy McCarthy
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: 6319056981
Email: agardner@sylvestermanor.org
Secondary Phone
Type: -----
Number: 2039841247
Email: tmccarthy@sylvestermanor.org
Email: tmccarthy@sylvestermanor.org
Website: https://www.sylvestermanor.org
Internship information
General Farm Description: Our farm operation currently consists of 7+ acres of vegetables, small fruit and a cut flower program. The produce from our farm feeds over 100 CSA families, stocks our farmstand, and is donated to local food pantries. We raise pastured laying hens and pigs in marginal woodlands and rotate them through our growing fields. We have 40 runner ducks that graze our vegetable fields for soil fertility and egg production. We also have a unique on-farm, composting system(s), including a townwide food scraps diversion collection system.CRAFT Member Farm? Yes
Internship Starts: March/April 2025
Internship Ends: November 2025
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: February 28, 2025
Minimum Length of Stay: 7 months
Internship Details:
We’re hiring an Apprentice with a focus on equipment and special projects for the 2025 season. We are seeking hardworking, high-energy, positive individuals who are motivated by a career in agriculture. This position will have previous experience with tractors and equipment and assist the Farm Manager in all aspects of mechanical field preparation and field maintenance, including equipment maintenance. The Apprentice will also be assisting in other aspects of the farm operation including fruit, vegetable and livestock production. This is a great position for someone who likes to challenge themselves and keep a fast pace, all while having fun growing vegetables, flowers and fruit, and raising livestock!
As an apprentice you’ll learn and/or advance your skills in seeding, transplanting, harvest techniques, wash & pack, weed management techniques, our CSA, irrigation set up, compost production, understanding the flow of field prep and planting, and so much more! In addition, you’ll spend time with our livestock, caring for our laying hens, ducks and pigs.
Strong teamwork and communication skills, patience, flexibility, and positivity are required. Farm work is extremely physically demanding, and a willingness and ability to work outdoors in all types of weather — heat, rain, sun, wind, and cold — is also a requirement.
Shelter Island is a beautiful place accessible only by ferry via both Sag Harbor and Greenport on the East End of Long Island. Living on Shelter Island you’ll have access to bay and ocean beaches, nature preserves, fishing, sailing/boating, paddle boarding, biking, hiking, and so much more amongst a vibrant community.
Job Duration & Hours
Farm Apprentices start in March/April and work through November (exact end date to be determined by the needs of the farm). We are an ever-evolving Farm and if the fit is right, there are opportunities to grow into year round positions and/or part-time winter work.
This position is about 40-48 hours, 5-6 days/week, depending on the changing needs of the farm and time of year. Weekend responsibilities are shared among the farm crew.
Educational Opportunities: On farm education with monthly themes and weekly topics Professional development/education stipend of $200
Skills Desired: Tractor/Equipment Farm Apprentice Specifications: Assists Farm Manager with field prep and field maintenance which includes the use of tractors and other farm equipment This role will have previous experience with tractors and farm implements such as discs, rototillers, mowers, bed shapers, etc. Helps with maintenance and continued care for all of our farm equipment and vehicles Assists Farm Manager with irrigation management and installation Assist with expanding compost program, turning of the compost pile and record keeping This position will have some experience or interest in construction and will help maintain our livestock coops and greenhouses.
Meals: No, but you will receive free vegetables, fruit and eggs from the farm and 20% off all Farmstand products!
Stipend: Starting $16.50/hour (more based on experience) 5 Paid Days Off (to be used within the season outside of the months of July/August/September) Professional workwear stipend of $200 Free vegetables, fruit and eggs from the farm and 20% off all Farmstand products
Housing: Free shared housing is provided: private bedroom and bathroom, communal laundry, kitchen and living room. At this time we cannot accommodate pets or significant others in employee housing.
Preferred method of Contact: Email