nook & cranny farm
Last Updated On: December 2nd, 2025 at 08:53AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:424 Harford Road
Brooktondale, New York, 14817
Primary Contact: Hannah Helfert
Secondary Contact: bob tuori
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: 301-525-5188
Email: hannahhelfert@gmail.com
Secondary Phone
Type:
Number: 607-379-1571
Email: btuori@gmail.com
Email: btuori@gmail.com
Website: http://www.nookandcrannyfarm.com
Website: https://www.instagram.com/nookandcrannyfarm/
Internship information
General Farm Description: Nook and Cranny farm is a small scale, intensive, highly diversified and community-oriented, organic vegetable farm located 12 miles from Ithaca, NY. For many years the farm has support a 100-member CSA as well as sales at 3 or 4 farmer's market per week. we grow over 50 types of vegetables on about 3.5 acres of cultivation, including hundreds of different varieties and focus on season extension. we have several hoop houses for growing heat-loving crops in the summer and for season extension in the late fall and early spring. we strive to increase soil fertility through addition of rock amendments and compost to permanent beds, diverse cover cropping, and significant mulching with hay. this is not a large-scale organic farm, but an intimate affair on a human scale and guided by agroecological principles. we farm primarily by hand and with smart use of BCS 2-wheeled tractors and implements. Over the past 25 years stewarding this land we built up rich soils teeming with life and high levels of organic matter, we developed a strong on-farm community, and have financially supported ourselves while serving our local food system through a three-season CSA and partnerships with many local food equity and access organizations. The farm is currently in the midst of a multi-year evolution of our business model. Ultimately, we hope to continue the for-profit production farm under a group-managed cooperative model. Although we will always primarily be an intensive vegetable farm, we hope to expand to include rotational livestock raising. We are also working on developing a not-for profit endeavor that will focuses on teen employment and sustainable regenerative ag-education, as well as continue to build partnerships with community food pantries and food equity organizations. The farm is growing and we are open to including the right person in its evolution.CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: 05/01/2026
Internship Ends: 11/15/2026
Number of Internship Available: 1 or 2
Application Deadline: Open
Minimum Length of Stay: 7-8 Months, possibly more than one season if it works out
Internship Details:
We are currently looking for one (possibly two) full time farmers for the 2026 season. as well as being employment, this is an educational position, with significant direct instruction in the field, greenhouse or at a market to learn all techniques needed to run the farm. the farmer/apprentice will be involved with all aspects of small-scale organic vegetable production: greenhouse work, bed preparation, field planting, cultivation, trellising, pest-management, harvesting, hoop house construction, irrigation system set-up, poultry and hog management, CSA share distribution, market and retail sales, customer service, crew management and business planning. expect a fast-paced work environment with an ever-changing set of priorities to keep up a hyper-managed small farm that sends out 4-6000 $ of veg a week and employs up to 12 people some days. be open to learning new ways of doing things and to teaching other crew members farming techniques.
Educational Opportunities: Every season on our farm offers a new learning experience: whether it is how to deal with a new pest or disease, how to most effectively train crew members and manage their time, ways to optimize market practices, growing new vegetables, experimenting with soil management techniques to improve soil health, or ways to streamline record-keeping, I appreciate and thrive on all the opportunities that running an ethical-business offers me to learn and grow. I also very much appreciate sharing this experience with others. we will happily involve the apprentice in all aspects of the farm's day-to-day running and management.
Skills Desired: No farming experience needed but desirable. No formal education required but completion of college degree or military service is desirable. must be able to work up to 40 hours a week over 4 or 5 days, including Sunday harvest for CSA shares and at least one day of attendance at a local farmer's market. must have a clean NYS drivers license (or get one shortly after arriving if coming from out of state). must be an open-minded, personable, and friendly crew member; love working with people (of all ages), plants and animals; thrive on hard physical labor; and be committed to eating real food, living simply, and being waste and energy conscious.
Meals: No
Stipend: Compensation: $18/hr start with raises depending on performance and profitability of the farm, CSA box of vegetables, opportunity to participate in on-farm cooperative hog and broiler raising operation, private 1-bedroom apartment is possibly available for renting on-farm.
Housing: Two private housing arrangements are available on the farm for rent to full time farmers, both with full kitchen area, hardwood floors, partially furnished if desired, separate entrance, private bathroom with shower. Internet, heat and electricity included. One apartment has a wood stove in addition to propane heat. Monthly rent to be discussed. Washing machine and freezer space available for both living arrangements. Many acres of wooded hillside land for camping and hiking available, and beautiful state forest land nearby. farm is 12 miles from Ithaca NY, a very livable, progressive college town with lively food, farming and music scenes.
Preferred method of Contact: Email
