Early Bird Farm

Last Updated On: febrero 12th, 2025 at 04:06PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
4220 Gay Rd E
Tacoma, Washington, 98443

Primary Contact: Rawley Johnson
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 2533552616
    Email: earlybirdfarmer@gmail.com

Website: https://www.earlybirdfarmer.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Early Bird Farm is a small, diversified, family farm growing vegetables on some world-class sandy loam soil in the beautiful Puyallup valley. We grow about 2 acres of field crops each year primarily for our 150 member CSA program. The surplus is donated to local food banks through a close relationship with a volunteer gleaning program. Our farm uniquely integrates 2 flocks of chickens in mobile coops that are rotated around the fields to both improve soil fertility and provide amazing eggs. We also cultivate some berry bushes, fruit trees, and a few hives of honeybees. Crew members get experience with all aspects of production throughout the season.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: April/May 2025
Internship Ends: November 2025
Number of Internship Available: 2 (full time and part time available)
Application Deadline: open until filled
Minimum Length of Stay: Full season

Internship Details:

A job at Early Bird Farm is for those who want to immerse themselves in all aspects of small scale, sustainable farming. You’ll be growing vegetables from seed to harvest, tending to our pasture-raised hens and sheep, cultivating fruit trees and berry bushes, and even dabbling with honeybees. Because we are a small farm, we are able to provide a diverse and well rounded experience to everyone on our crew each year. Over the course of the season, you will get hands on with virtually every tool we use on the farm, including the tractor. You can tailor the experience to your particular strengths and interests and take on leadership where you are motivated to do so. This is a full time, 5 day a week position from April or May – November.  Part time peak season work is also available. TO APPLY: PLEASE EMAIL A RESUME AND COVER LETTER

Educational Opportunities: Working alongside the farm owner with over a decade of experience, you're going to learn a lot! This is a full time hourly wage position, so it is not an internship. However, I have successfully trained beginning farmers for over a decade who come to us with limited agricultural experience. Working here is an incredible opportunity to get hands-on experiences in virtually every aspect of our operation. By the end of the season, you'll have a deep understanding of growing vegetables from seed to harvest, managing a flock of 500 pasture raised hens, and building incredible soil fertility through cover cropping, crop rotations, manure and compost management and more. We also strive to take time once a week to share a farm cooked meal together. These are great times for more in depth discussions about farm management and operation.

Skills Desired: Previous farming experience is encouraged but not required. Ideally, you are someone interested in exploring the possibility of running your own small farm someday, or a field that promotes sustainable agriculture. The job is a serious, full-time work commitment, so applicants should be in excellent physical condition and demonstrate capability to work outdoors in all weather conditions. You'd be joining an established team of 3 experienced farmers, so I am looking for someone who would be a good fit with our fabulous crew and someone capable of making a positive contribution to the team.

Meals: You'll cook your own meals in a fully stocked crew kitchen. Once per week we share a lunch together. Eating well straight from the fields is part of the gig--if you love cooking fresh-picked veggies, you'll be very happy here!

Stipend: Yes. Beginning farmers are employed at WA minimum wage ($16.66/hour). Those with market farm experience are encouraged to apply and can earn more DOE. Workers comp coverage and accrued paid sick leave. Bonus paid for successful completion of a full season.

Housing: On-farm housing is available in a comfortable RV trailer with kitchen and shower. APPLICANTS MUST HAVE A PERSONAL VEHICLE and experience living independently. Or commute to the farm--we are very close to Tacoma and south Seattle.

Preferred method of Contact: email a resume and cover letter to apply