Ridge to Reef Farm, St Croix

Last Updated On: October 25th, 2024 at 11:35AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
Remainder Estate Mt. Victory
PO Box 2903
Frederiksted, U.S. Virgin Islands, 00841

Primary Contact: Nate Olive
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 3404731557
    Email: csa@ridge2reef.org

Secondary Phone
    Type: -----
    Number: 3405140312
    Email:

Website: http://www.ridge2reef.org

Internship information

General Farm Description: Ridge to Reef Farm is the only USDA certified organic farm in the Virgin Islands, is located in the relatively undeveloped and remote northwest quarter of St. Croix, U.S.V.I, (i.e., the “rain forest”). At our primary 100-acre site, 5-7 acres of land are currently in vegetable production; the remainder is a combination of orchard, pastures and forests. We also manage a nearby historic mango orchard. We operate a CSA, sell to the Farm to School program, and host regular on-farm community dinners as well as other events. We supply our local school system Farm to School crops from our farm and we also aggregate from other farms to meet the supply demand and support our fellow farmers. We provide a mix of fresh organic annual produce and tropical fruit, in addition to supermarket sales. The farm also hosts agritourism events, tours, farm-to-table dinners, farm stays, and educational workshops. In addition to produce, the farm has small herds of hair sheep and pigs.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: November 2024 forward
Internship Ends: Internships are a minimum of 2 months, from the variable start date. Apprenticeships are 6-12 months
Number of Internship Available: 4
Application Deadline: n/a
Minimum Length of Stay: 2 months

Internship Details:

Our program is geared towards those who want to gain experience in a variety of organic farming and agritourism skills. Farming interns may participate in all aspects of farm production and maintenance including but not limited to: propagation, seeding, transplanting, weed management, pest and disease management, harvesting, post-harvest handling, irrigation, composting, assisting with CSA operation, markets, basic building projects and maintenance, volunteer management, animal caretaking, producing value added goods, assisting farm visitors, and other duties as assigned. Interns may be asked to operate power tools including weed-whips, pole saw, walk-behind tractor, etc. Training and reading of tool manual is required before use. Agritourism interns will be guided and responsible in leading tours, setting up farm events, and assisting with product processing, washing, packing, and delivery. Farm Interns report to Farm Manager/Coordinator for all tasks and assignments; interns also report to the Farm Director when applicable. Interns also participate in community living responsibilities and periodic farm team meetings. There are also opportunities to work in our agritourism activities such as on farm dinners and leading tours. We have an info sheet pdf posted on our website under volunteering.

Educational Opportunities: Interns and apprentices are exposed to nearly every step of crop production and marketing activities. Now that COVID is on the wane, we are also doing more agritourism activities such as leading farm tours and hosting on-farm dinners. One may also learn the facets of our off grid solar powered facility, gravity irrigation, and conservation/regenerative organic production practices. We also periodically hold workshops and classes on these topics in addition to permaculture and primitive skills, in which interns may participate.

Skills Desired: Specific skills are not necessary, but more so a willingness to learn and follow direction without constant supervision. One should enjoy living in a natural setting in the tropics and be able to be a "good" community member in terms of cleaning up after oneself in the kitchen, respecting others' space, and putting forth the effort that makes good teamwork possible and enjoyable.

Meals: Yes mostly in a self-cook manner, and occasionally with prepared meals. We provide access to our crops, as well as a wide range of store bought ingredients and staple items for cooking in our commercial community kitchen. Most interns spend about $30 to 40 per week on other items from the store that we do not provide as regular staples such as dairy products, meat, and coffee.

Stipend: We have two levels including internships (two months) and apprenticeships (six - twelve months). Internships are not paid a stipend. Apprenticeships are paid a $400 monthly stipend. All receive room and board.

Housing: Yes. Off grid tropical cabins.

Preferred method of Contact: email