Farmshare Austin
Last Updated On: febrero 3rd, 2022 at 11:16AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:3608 River Road
Cedar Creek, -- , 78612
Primary Contact: Michelle Akindiya
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: (512) 410-0277
Email: education@farmshareaustin.org
Website: https://www.farmshareaustin.org/farmer-starter
Internship information
General Farm Description: At Farmshare Austin, our mission is to grow a healthy local food community by increasing food access, teaching new farmers and preserving farmland. We envision a future of resilient local food economies that ensures equitable access to food and to the resources needed to farm. Farmshare Austin builds bridges between the produce grown on our 10-acre certified organic farm in Eastern Travis County and food access programs reaching food insecure communities in Central Texas. What we do: Education: Our key educational objective is to grow more Central Texas farmers to strengthen the local food system. Farmer Starter is an 20-week program designed to provide aspiring farmers with the essential skills and training needed to manage a sustainable farming business. We also offer community classes and continuing education workshops for working farmers. Food Access: The result of our combined efforts will improve the availability of healthy, sustainably produced food to portions of the population that currently have the least access to it. We address cultural and cost barriers through programs and partnerships. Farmshare provides food access directly to neighborhoods experiencing geographic and economic barriers to good food by bringing Mobile Markets directly to them. These farm stands operate as part of the City of Austin’s Fresh for Less Initiative. We offer produce grown on our farm, produce from other Texas farms and high-quality, shelf-stable food products, all at reduced prices. Land Preservation: We are committed to ensuring that careful natural resource management is a priority for Central Texas. Our Land Link program, the first of its kind in Texas, connects landowners and farmers looking for land.CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: 08/02/2022
Internship Ends: 12/15/2022
Number of Internship Available: 12
Application Deadline: April 1, 2022
Minimum Length of Stay: Students should be prepared to make a full season commitment and participate in all activities for the duration of the program (20 weeks).
Internship Details:
Farmer Starter is an immersive farmer training program on a working, certified organic, diversified vegetable farm designed to provide aspiring farmers with the essential skills and training needed to manage a sustainable farming business. Through a blend of in-field training and formal classroom education, the 5 month program trains students in:
• Organic, regenerative, and sustainable growing methods
• Soil health and fertility management
• Organic pest and disease control methods
• Greenhouse management and propagation
• Holistic farm planning & crop planning
• Equipment use & maintenance
• Business planning
• Marketing
Students graduate the program with practical knowledge and experience in organic and sustainable growing methods and the business and financial planning skills necessary to establish a successful market farm.
Student schedule:
Students meet on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7:30am to 4:00pm. Mornings are spent in the field with the Farm Manager getting valuable hands-on experience growing food for our Food Access programs. Afternoons are spent in the classroom with the Education Director learning the science and business of farm management, or on field trips to local farms to see a variety of farming practices. Currently we are conducting our afternoon classes via ZOOM, but will return to using our on-farm classroom as soon as it is safe to do so. All in-person gatherings on our farm and on other farms are conducted outdoors, with masks and social distancing required. Students spend an additional 4 to 6 hours per season with Farmshare Staff selling at an area Farmer’s Market to learn the ins and outs of direct marketing and Farmers’ Market sales.
Application process:
Applications are reviewed by the Education Director, who will follow up to schedule an interview and farm tour. Admission letters will be sent by e-mail on May 15th. Anyone who completed the interview process but was not admitted in the first round will be placed on our waitlist to be notified if spaces open prior to the start of the program in August. Upon acceptance to the program, you may choose to apply for needs based financial aid.
Additional considerations:
Students should be prepared to make a full season commitment and participate in all activities for the duration of the program. Students must be comfortable and capable of performing strenuous physical work in a variety of conditions. Students provide their own transportation to and from the farm and on field trips. We’re sorry but we cannot accommodate pets at this time.
You can apply at https://www.farmshareaustin.org/farmer-starter. Contact education@farmshareaustin.org with questions about the program.
Educational Opportunities: See "Internship Description" above.
Skills Desired: Applicants should have a passion for local food production and organic, regenerative agriculture. Previous farm or garden experience is preferred but not necessary. Candidates must demonstrate a strong desire to learn about small-scale, sustainable agriculture.
Meals: No.
Stipend: Tuition is $3,000. Farmshare is committed to supporting students who have financial barriers to entering farming by offering need-based scholarships and work share programs as financial aid. Upon acceptance to the program you will be invited to apply for financial aid. Scholarships are also available through CCOF’s Future Organic Farmer Grant or the National Young Farmer Grant Program.
Housing: Limited accommodation is available for an additional $1,500 for the 20 weeks. Accommodations include a full size bed in a loft in our farmhouse, full kitchen and shared bath.
Preferred method of Contact: email