Christopher Farm Apprentice

Last Updated On: abril 23rd, 2024 at 12:07PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
5305 W 500 S
Modoc, Indiana, 47358

Primary Contact: Wendy Carpenter
Secondary Contact: Adrian Hess

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 812-459-4475
    Email: wendy@christopherfarm.net

Secondary Phone
    Type: -----
    Number: 765-542-9278
    Email: adrian@christopherfarm.net

    Email: adrian@christopherfarm.net

Website: https://www.christopherfarm.net

Internship information

General Farm Description: We are a certified organic (USDA and Real Organic Project) produce and cut flower farm located in east-central Indiana. Our farm is four acres, with about one and a half acres of bed space. Building healthy soils and growing high quality produce for our community are of upmost importance to us, so we use no-till methodologies and grow year-round. The vast majority of our marketing is done through farmer's markets and CSA's. Because of our location in a rural area of Indiana, we are passionate about doing what we do here for several reasons. The number of organic farms in our area is very limited, and we believe that providing this model for people is important. We have amazing customers who deeply appreciate our products, and we are an integral part of a developing local food system. The farming that we do is extremely rewarding. We love the work of growing amazing food, building relationships with the people who eat it, bringing beauty into people’s lives with the colorful flowers that we grow, forming an intimate connection with the land, and helping to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis. Doing this work is extremely demanding, however. More often than not, it is without glamor, and it pushes us to our limits at times. We think it’s worth it. We hope you’ll join us.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: Beginning to middle of May. Applicants who are graduating from college may postpone start date until May.
Internship Ends: Late October.
Number of Internship Available: 1 full-season position is still available.
Application Deadline: Application will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
Minimum Length of Stay: Anything less than two months will be a volunteer position. Preference is given to those who can stay for the full season.

Internship Details:

Join us for a season of growing great food while living and learning on our organic no-till vegetable and flower farm.  You will be immersed in the work and life of the farm, and can expect to gain experience in the following areas as they relate to a wide variety of crops.

• Greenhouse Seeding
• Transplanting
• Soil Stewardship
• Irrigation
• Cultivation
• Cover Cropping
• Compost Making
• Harvest/Wash/Pack of Produce
• Harvesting & Arranging Flowers
• Trellising Techniques
• Pest Management
• Season Extension
• Indoor and Outdoor Growing
• Moveable Hoophouses
• Organic Certification Processes
• Crop Planning and Rotation
• Marketing

Additional learning opportunities include the tasks related to living on a farm, such as food preservation, bread baking, and cutting & splitting firewood.  It is our goal to help you learn what is of specific interest you, and to help you become a part of our operation in so that you feel a sense of pride in the work that you do.

Educational Opportunities: We believe that a just and local food system is an imperative part of addressing food security, the health of our local economy, and the health of our planet. Teaching others how to raise food, the building block of that system, is what inspires us to host apprentices. We have over 25 years of experience with a variety of production practices and techniques and we want to share that knowledge as widely as we can. This happens both through hands-on learning and discussion. Video and literary resources are also available for apprentices and we take field trips to other farms to help provide exposure and connection with the local food system.

Skills Desired: We are looking for people who have experience with physical labor and hopefully agriculture or food production. We want curious people who are always interested in learning more, and who work to make the world a better place. Communication, responsibility, initiative, and motivation are imperative. It is important to be able to follow directions, work quickly and efficiently, and to be able to recognize that any criticism is not personal. We want you to do work that you are proud to take ownership of. We want you to be an essential part of the farm. And we want you to learn.

Meals: We provide vegetarian ingredients for all meals. Lunches are shared, and we all take turns preparing food. Assistance will be given to those who do not at first feel comfortable cooking for a group. We eat very well.

Stipend: A $1000/month stipend is offered. Past apprentices report that they saved more money with our room/board/stipend system than they were able to in jobs that paid hourly.

Housing: We have a beautiful/comfortable converted grain-bin house on the property, which has two bed rooms, a full kitchen and bathroom, and shared living space. Campers are used for additional bedroom space and are a nice option for people who like a little more privacy.

Preferred method of Contact: email or phone