Horton Road Organic Farm
Last Updated On: julio 22nd, 2024 at 09:50AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:93851 Horton Road
Blachly, Oregon, 97412
Primary Contact: Debra Seido Martin
Secondary Contact: Bill Booth
Primary Phone:
Type: Home
Number: 541-925-3019
Email: hortonroadorganics@gmail.com
Secondary Phone
Type: Home
Number: 541-925-3019
Email:
Website: http://www.hortonorganics.com
Internship information
General Farm Description: Horton Road Organics is a five acre organic market garden founded in 1992 by partners Debra Seido Martin and Bill Booth. The farm is nestled in the coast range of Oregon in the Siulsaw National Forest outside Eugene and also serves as a retreat space for a Zen Buddhist community in Eugene. The farm’s rich friable earth was formed by thousands of years of forest decay and is suffuse with organic life after three decades of organic cultivation. The watershed ecology is full of life, still home to cougar, black bear, otter and spotted owl. Some two hundred raised beds rotate through a full array of organic vegetables during the season, including the most luscious greens and crisp sweet root crops. Horton Road is particularly loved for its flavorful salad blends, generous bunches, equitable prices and customer appreciation. The farm’s elevated mountain valley enjoys lower temperatures during the growing season allowing for cool season crops throughout the summer. A significant amount of farm surplus is donated to local agencies that feed at risk communities. Much of the day to day work is done by hand with careful attention to the needs of the plants, the soil and human bodies touching the earth. During the season, the farm hosts a training program (Twining Vines) in collaboration with Zen West for students interested in learning the art of growing organic food and exploring the connection between inner and outer ecologies. The program investigates the dynamic interconnection between how we understand ourselves, our place in the world, and how we take care for the earth. Respect, reciprocity, responsibility and reverence are guiding principles. Each season brings together a lively cohort of participants – apprentices, interns, sangha members, and volunteers – for wholesome work and play, inner learning and service to the community.CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: May 1, 2025
Internship Ends: October 31, 2025
Number of Internship Available: 5
Application Deadline: April 1, 2025
Minimum Length of Stay: 6 months
Internship Details:
The Twining Vines program gives students an immersive experience to explore the vital connection between the inner and outer ecologies. Participants learn how to grow food organically, foster healthy community, and develop insight and resilience through daily contemplative practice.
Twining vines offers full season residential apprenticeships May – Oct, and short season part time summer internships Jun – Sept. Our weekly schedule includes hands on daily hands on market garden practice, meditation & mindfulness, farmer’s market training, classes, group discussions and community events. The 26-week curriculum includes weekly classes on growing food organically, contemplative practice, community development, and Buddhist insight into the interconnections between nature and human consciousness. Students are encouraged to supplement with readings and assignments based on their interests. The season culminates in student presentations of a community project proposal that integrates the season’s experience.
Twining Vines is a new project launched in collaboration between Horton Road Organic farm training young farmers since 1997 and Empty Field/ Zen West a nonprofit Zen Buddhist center emphasizing environmental awareness and responsibility for the Earth.
Educational Opportunities: Our full season curriculum weaves together a blend of experiential learning and class training in market gardening, contemplative practice and community building. Students learn how to care wisely for the land and developing insight and inner resilience through meditation and Buddhist teachings on ecology. Gardening: Students learn how to sow seeds, plant, cultivate, harvest, prepare and market vegetables at three farmer’s markets. Hands on work day to day offers intimacy with the ever changing landscape. Field work is also challenging, requiring stamina, dedication, and mindful attention to detail. Weekly classes cover a full range of organic gardening topics including how to build healthy soil, propagate plants, irrigate, use cover crops, and work organically with garden pests. Insight: Students develop daily contemplative practices that fosters insight, resilience and community belonging. Contemplative training integrates wisdom from diverse fields including Zen Buddhism, psychology, and other somatic traditions. Some practices include meditation, mindfulness, council practice, communication skills, and conflict resolution. Discussion space explores responses to climate disruption and social injustice. Class series introduces students to a Buddhist view of interdependence and ethics in care of the earth. Community: Students learn how to live and work together in a way that fosters support and harmony. The seasonal cohort organizes their own household with regular meetings and group events balancing togetherness and independence.
Skills Desired: Prior gardening, farming or outdoor experience is helpful but not as important as genuine interest and a willingness to learn. Applicants should have some affinity for contemplative practice and investigating one’s “inner ecology.” It is essential that applicants: Are able to commit to the entire season for which they are applying Are physically able to spend 6 hours a day in the garden which involves a combination of stamina, strength and flexibility Are able to work well with others, have good communications skills, and contribute time and energy to the well being of community
Meals: In addition to food flowing from the fields, the farm supplies a community pantry with a number of basic organic bulk beans, grains, and oils. Each year the community organizes a schedule of group meals and meals on one's own.
Stipend: Yes. $600 per month. Worker's Comp Insurance. Sick days as needed. Limited vacation time.
Housing: Yes. Private rooms in a renovated barn with kitchen, bath, outdoor solar shower, community room. Access to laundry and internet.
Preferred method of Contact: Email/Apply Online