DD Ranch Farm Apprentice

Last Updated On: noviembre 1st, 2023 at 01:56PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
3836 NE Smith Rock Way
Terrebonne, Oregon, 97760

Primary Contact: Matt Gordon
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 5415883550
    Email: training@roguefarmcorps.org

Website: https://www.roguefarmcorps.org/apprenticeship

Website: https://ddranch.net/

Internship information

General Farm Description: DD Ranch is a 200 acre cattle ranch approximately 2 miles from Smith Rock State Park. It is a very scenic property with views of Smith Rock and the Cascade mountains. 155 of the 200 acres are irrigated with a mixture of hand lines, wheel lines and flood irrigation. We also operate another 200-300 acres for grazing cattle and/or growing hay. We have rocky outcroppings with juniper groves as well and a wildlife corridor. We are approximately 3 miles from the town of Terrebonne, 6 miles from Redmond, 25 miles to Bend, 25 miles to Madras and 20 miles to Prineville. Smith Rock State Park offers climbing, hiking, running, horseback riding, camping, etc. Living at the ranch currently, we have owners, Linda and Jeff Anspach and their 4 kids, as well as the head ranch hands family and one other employee. We are primarily a grass fed beef operation (also offering grass fed lamb, heritage pork, eggs, raw honey and pumpkins). We also grow hay. We have bees on the property but they are cared for by someone else. We offer a significant amount of agritourism, including weddings, birthdays and a month long pumpkin patch. We sell our products via farmers markets, here at the ranch, through our CSA and through wholesalers. We utilize a backhoe, skidsteer, older Massey Ferguson tractor and newer Kubota tractor for various things – such as loading bales for feeding, getting bales off of the ground, running haying equipment, etc. Other equipment: baler, stock trailers, manure spreaders, swather, rake, 4 wheelers, etc. Our pumpkin patch is covered in weed barrier which is rolled out and set up by hand and the weeding is done by hand, weed eater, etc. No sprays are used on weeds.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 4/1/2023
Internship Ends: 10/1/23
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: Rolling applications until early to mid-March
Minimum Length of Stay: 500 training hours (~3-4 months minimum)

Internship Details:

An Apprenticeship at DD Ranch is part of Rogue Farm Corps’ beginning farmer training program. Hands-on field training at the host farm is augmented by a series of classes, farm tours, discussions, and networking events organized by Rogue Farm Corps.

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
Apprentices join other beginning farmers for an Educational Event Series facilitated by Rogue Farm Corps.

The full event series includes:
15-20 classes focused on foundational sustainable agriculture concepts, skills, and knowledge and the food system.
10-13 farm tours which showcase practical skills and individual farmers’ stories, as well as provide insight into diverse production and marketing systems.
3-5 discussion circles with topics including Farm and Food Advocacy, Food Justice / Food Sovereignty, and Next Steps for Beginning Farmers.

RFC strives to make all educational events inclusive and welcoming to people from all backgrounds and identities. Classes, tours, and discussions are led by Rogue Farm Corps staff, agricultural professionals, and expert farmers.

Educational Opportunities: At DD Ranch, an apprentice will get significant exposure to all aspects of our business – from helping with sheep, pigs, cattle, horses, poultry, goats, planting and caring for pumpkins, hay production, irrigation, farmer’s markets, weddings, pumpkin patch, weekly staff meetings, and possibly accounting/business management if desired. We try to foster a learning environment here and of course are still learning ourselves. We bring in outside experts to help where needed to train staff. Because we operate a livestock operation with twice daily feedings, and move irrigation water twice daily, our farm is a 7 day a week operation. An apprentice would spend about half a day or more doing physically strenuous work. We will expect 40 hours of training a week. Regular day(s) off will be scheduled to take into consideration other employees’ schedules. In the beginning, the apprentice will train side by side with either a ranch hand or owner. After mastery of skills, some tasks might be expected to be alone, especially simpler ones. Our days vary significantly depending on whether it’s time to hay or work cattle, so priorities are set at the weekly staff meeting. Must be able to be independent. Must be able to tolerate being in the heat, cold, sun, wind, and other elements. Good physical condition is very important.

Skills Desired: Previous experience with horses, cattle and irrigation would be the most desirable. We operate the ranch mostly on horseback but a 4 wheeler can be used for non-riders.

Meals: Some food will be provided – meat, honey, eggs will be provided by the ranch. We are not vegetarian.

Stipend: Apprentice will be paid the current minimum wage for our area (currently $13.50/hr - will be adjusted July 1, 2023).

Housing: Housing will be provided on site, in an RV. The RV has its own bathroom, shower and kitchen. The apprentice can also use the barn kitchen and would be expected to keep it clean enough for the public to see. Monthly rent for housing is $300 and is mostly intended to cover utilities, garbage/recycling, internet and the septic service.

Preferred method of Contact: email