Diversified Sustainable Farming internship or apprenticeship at Mama Tee’s Farmstead with Rogue Farm Corps

Last Updated On: enero 26th, 2022 at 10:10AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
Rogue Farm Corps, Portland Area Chapter
Willamina, Oregon , 97396

Primary Contact: Rogue Farm Corps
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 541-588
    Email: training@roguefarmcorps.org

Website: https://www.roguefarmcorps.org/host-farms/mama-tees

Internship information

General Farm Description: Mama Tee’s Farmstead is a diversified farm on a beautiful 10 acre piece of land in Willamina, OR. There is approximately 2 acres in vegetable production, 3 acres of pasture for the chickens and goats, several high and low tunnels, a barn, living quarters, and an adjacent coniferous forest. We are located 5 miles from downtown Willamina, a small community in Eastern Yamhill County, close to the coast as well as the Portland metro. Willamina Creek is adjacent to the property as well as a county park that makes for good swimming in the summers. The Siuslaw National Forest and the Wild and Scenic Nestucca River are to the northwest and award-winning wineries are to the east, all within a half hour drive. We offer a CSA (Communtiy Supported Agriculture) subscription, sell direct at Farmer’s Markets on the coast and in Portland, provide some wholesale sales to the local school district and also sell preserves, pickles, and dried goods processed from farm produce. Although not certified organic, we use organic practices (crop rotation, cover crops, OMRI certified products), use a mix of mechanized (walk-behind tractors) and manual labor (weeding, planting, harvesting, processing, etc), and pasture-raise our chickens and goats. Our farm crew is typically a 2-3 person crew that is involved both with vegetable production and livestock management. More info available on the website.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: Apprenticeship: 3/1/22, Internship: 6/15/22
Internship Ends: Apprenticeship: 11/1/22, Internship: 9/30/22
Number of Internship Available: 1 short-season internship, 1 full-season apprenticeship
Application Deadline: Priority consideration 1/27/22, applications open until positions are filled
Minimum Length of Stay: 3-8 months

Internship Details:

Mama Tee’s Farmstead is a participating host farm in the Rogue Farm Corps Internship and Apprenticeship Programs.

RFC’s Internship Program provides connections to existing farm operations for aspiring farmers who want to gain significant farming or ranching production experience and don’t have a lot of previous exposure. The Internship Program is an entry/intermediate-level, immersive program that combines hands-on training with skills-based education. No experience is required to apply, however some host farms do prefer applicants have some previous outdoor or physical work experience.

RFC Internship programs are based in two distinct geographic chapter locations in Oregon: Rogue Valley and Portland Metro.

Weekly hours and start/end dates vary by host farm (please see host farm descriptions for details). In addition to the on-farm training experience, participants engage in a series of farm tours, classes, and discussions (~3-5 events / month) focused on a broad array of sustainable agriculture and food system topics organized by Rogue Farm Corps (see a sample Internship Program events schedule here). Internship Program participants are exposed to farm knowledge, skills, and networks, through their experience with their host farm and Rogue Farm Corps.

Full season positions generally run spring through fall. Short season Internships run for 8-15 weeks and are perfect for students or others who want to dip their toe in into farming and attend the concurrent Internship classes, farm tours, and discussion events.

RFC’s Apprenticeship Program is an on-farm learning experience for those who have at least one full season (5+ months and at least 600 hours) of farm or ranch experience (or equivalent). The Apprenticeship combines hands-on training and skills-based education for those ready to dive into the art and business of sustainable agriculture. This program helps people who want to continue in agriculture to learn the skills needed to manage and run a diversified farming operation, and deepen their understanding of ecological and sustainable agricultural practices.

Similar to the Internship Program, apprentices train at one of RFC’s partner Host Farms. Participants also engage in a series of educational weekend intensives in locations around the state which include farm tours, networking, and camping. They also participate in a handful of online classes and discussions to round out the on-farm experience. The Apprenticeship, like the Internship, examines the economic, ecological and social sustainability of farm practices, and continues to build on these themes.

RFC Apprenticeship host farm sites can be located up to 3 hours driving distance from an active chapter location (Portland Metro and Rogue Valley).

APPLICATIONS / SCHOLARSHIPS
Applications are accepted on our website on a rolling basis until positions are filled, but early applications are considered first. Apply by January 27th, 2022 for priority consideration. RFC has limited tuition scholarships available for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, veteran, and low-income applicants.

RFC has developed COVID-19 safety protocols according to state and federal guidance and will adjust them as needed to protect the health and safety of our participants, staff, host farmers, and communities. In-person educational events are held outside with social distancing in place.

TYPES OF AGRICULTURE
Rogue Farm Corps partners with dedicated mentor host farms and ranches that focus on sustainable, regenerative, ecological, and/or organic approaches in their production methods. Host farm enterprises vary by farm and include animal (meat, dairy, eggs, etc) and plant-based production (vegetables, herbs, fruit, seeds, etc). Host farms are commercial, small-to-mid scale operations marketing to their local and regional community via a range of sales channels including farmers market, CSA, wholesale, and more. RFC participants are exposed to various farm production and marketing systems via RFC’s farm tour events.

COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Rogue Farm Corps is committed to an ongoing learning process around privilege, power, inequality and systems of oppression. RFC has a goal of making our programs welcoming to, inclusive of, and accessible to communities who are under-represented as farm operators in Oregon, including women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, low-income individuals and immigrants. Our desire to create a more equitable food system is reflected in RFC’s programs and collaborations.

Learn more and apply: http://roguefarmcorps.org/training

Educational Opportunities: All aspects of a diversified vegetable production: weeding, planting, cultivating, propagating, tilling, irrigating (overhead and drip line), harvesting, processing, etc. - Routine upkeep of all farm equipment - CSA packing, loading, and delivery to drop-off sites - Packing, loading and selling goods at Farmer’s Markets - Fence, hoop house, chicken and goat structures, other small construction installation projects - Animal husbandry (including feeding animals, milking goats, opening/closing chicken coops, collecting and washing eggs, cleaning animal quarters, etc) - General Farm maintenance (upkeep of barn and greenhouse, cleaning, mowing, organizing, etc) - Record keeping of farm production and communication daily to farm owner - Weekly planner sessions with farm managers In addition to the on-farm training, participants will also attend the Rogue Farm Corps educational event series, which includes farm tours, classes, and discussion groups. More details about the internship and apprenticeship programs can be found on the website.

Skills Desired: - Passion for sustainable agriculture a must, preference for those who have a desire to start, create, or partner with a small, diversified farm - Community-oriented, with excellent communication skills - Adaptable and flexible to dynamic and sometimes stressful conditions - Ability to work independently and as a team, positive attitude, and strong work ethic - Ability to lift ~50lbs and work in inclement weather conditions

Meals: Positions include an ample supply of vegetables each week, as well as eggs and meat when available. Subsidized housing (below market rental prices) available.

Stipend: Internship is a minimum wage position starting at $12.75/hr and increasing to $13.50hr July 1st. Apprenticeship is $14hr.

Housing: The off-farm housing provided is a yurt with two rooms, a loft, a kitchen, and bath/laundry area (approx 750sf) on a nearby property. The housing includes some utilities (electric, propane gas for heating and cooking, garbage and recycling). There is a woodstove and, although wood is not included, access and resources to wood is nearby. Occupants are responsible for keeping general upkeep of the house (cleaning, reporting issues if any, taking out the trash, etc). No smoking or pets.

Preferred method of Contact: email / website