Ivy Creek Family Farm
Last Updated On: January 13th, 2025 at 10:30AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:34 Wild Aster Trail
Barnardsville, North Carolina, 28709
Primary Contact: Anna Littman
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: 828-713-8383
Email: wncfarm@gmail.com
Website: https://www.ivycreekfamilyfarm.com
Website: https://www.instagram.com/ivycreekfamilyfarm/
Internship information
General Farm Description: Ivy Creek Family Farm is an 18-year-old established and successful farm that grows vegetables and flowers using organic practices. In 2024 we experienced two major catastrophic weather events: unprecedented hail and then Hurricane Helene. We recovered from both with skill and grace, and we gained knowledge on farm reliance in the face of a shifting and volatile climate. In 2025 we will continue growing nutrient-dense vegetables for our community. We need one or two dedicated, determined individuals to join our team and help our farm on its path of producing great food while also holding the core focus of recovery, resilience, and productivity this year. We believe in sustainable farming practices that support the land and water, the farmers, and the community. Located in a beautiful setting 25 minutes from Asheville, we sell our produce to several large restaurants, two thriving tailgate markets, our local food pantry, and our farm stand. We farm six acres of fields and thirteen hoop house using sustainable practices. Our favorite tools include two Jang seeders, custom made landscape fabric, irrigation timers, docatrons, hori hori knives, two Kubota tractors with a quick hitch, a single bed disc harrow, a spader, a bed raiser, plastic mulch layer. We strive for continuous improvement and efficiencies. We believe that farms offer a valuable opportunity for people to work with their hands outside producing something tangible.CRAFT Member Farm? Yes
Internship Starts: March or April
Internship Ends: September or October
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: February 15th
Minimum Length of Stay: 5 months
Internship Details:
Operations Manager and Farm Interns
The Operations Manager will be a key part of the leadership on the farm. The operations manager will oversee post-harvest activities including washing and storing produce. They will lead sales at the tailgate market on Saturdays. They will oversee afternoon harvest activities and hand cultivation activities. Additionally, they will help lead seasonal staff and volunteers when needed.
Post Harvest Management will include washing and processing vegetables and/or leading volunteers in completing those tasks, ensuring that vegetables are handled and stored using best practices. The management will also include organization of the walk-in cooler and wash shed.
Afternoon harvest management will include ensuring that all afternoon harvest schedules are met in accordance to deadlines and best practices. The Operations manager will both harvest crops and supervise volunteers and interns in harvesting green beans, squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes.
Leading Sales at the North Asheville Tailgate Market will include set up and breakdown of the booth and leading professional sales interactions with all customers.
The Operations Manager will have opportunities to also support various other activities on the farm including cultivation and planting.
The operations manager will work Tuesday-Saturday.
Tuesday-Friday hours will approximately be from 8am-5pm with a 30 minute break.
Saturday hours will be from 5am-1:30pm. Hours may change slightly in peak season.
Seasonal Farm Interns
Seasonal Farm Interns participate in plant propagation, harvesting, planting, post-harvest support, sales, trellising, IPM, and more. Specific roles and duties will be determined by the individuals’ incoming skills, interests, and work level. Interns living on farm work 40 hours a week. Interns living off-farm can contribute to the farm anywhere from 8-40 hours weekly.
Educational Opportunities: Staff have the opportunity to attend monthly craft workshops on other farms. We also provide classes on subjects that interest the crew and community we serve. We encourage crew members to lead classes for volunteers as well when time allows.
Skills Desired: Operations Manager The experienced required for the operations manager includes thee years or more of farming or restaurant kitchen experience, excellent customer service and sales, and skills in materials management and organization. Experience with GAP practices and food safety is a plus. The Operations Manager must be physically fit and able to lift 40 pounds or more comfortably on a regular basis. The ideal candidate will be energetic and able to move quickly through the day with a professional mindset. Clear communication and self sufficiency are vital. Farm Interns should be physically fit, able to work comfortably and briskly outdoors for 7-8 hours a day. Candidates should enjoy working outside with their hands potentially doing repetitive tasks. Farms only succeed if people are able and willing to be aware of sustained focus, pace, and production, as those are core competencies of growing local food. We ask this to be true of people applying to our internships.
Meals: Lots of vegetable seconds are available.
Stipend: Operations Manager Compensation will be $24/hr, 40 hrs a week. The position will begin April and run through the end of September with an opportunity to continue at a through winter months for someone who wants to be a leader on the farm. Summer Interns Starting wages for summer interns is $900-$1,400/month depending on experience.
Housing: From May-October there is an option of living on the farm in a 900 square foot, two bedroom intern house with a kitchen, full bathroom, and living room space. The bedrooms are valued at $700 each.
Preferred method of Contact: email