Farragut Farm

Last Updated On: enero 15th, 2020 at 08:31AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
PO BOX 1714
near Petersburg, Alaska, 99833

Primary Contact: Bo Varsano
Secondary Contact: Marja Smets

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 715-210-5383
    Email: farragutfarm@gmail.com

Website: https://www.facebook.com/FarragutFarmLLC

Website: https://www.facebook.com/farragut.farm

Internship information

General Farm Description: We are an off-grid, small-scale, mixed-vegetable farm located in the heart of wild and wet Southeast Alaska. Our farm is small, but extremely productive. We intensively cultivate one acre and sell most of our veggies at the farmers market in Petersburg. We also sell to restaurants, grocery stores and school districts in Petersburg, Wrangell and Juneau. We are not certified organic, but follow organic practices. We do not use herbicides, pesticides or commercial fertilizers. We believe in feeding our soil by cover cropping, using farm-made compost, locally-sourced natural amendments, minimal tillage techniques and diversified crop rotations. We ALSO believe in working hard, laughing often and eating good! Farragut Farm is devoted to and deeply entrenched in the growing local food movement of Southeast Alaska. We believe everyone deserves to eat healthy so we work hard to make sure our vegetables are accessible to families of all income levels.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 5/1/2020 (flexible)
Internship Ends: 9/15/2018 (flexible)
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: none
Minimum Length of Stay: one month

Internship Details:

Farragut Farm is one of the most remote and isolated commercial farms in the country. We are located off of any road systems and we are completely off the grid. Working on our farm is a unique opportunity to experience the the beauty of life in wild Alaska.
Our preference is to employ a couple, but we will consider independent and self-reliant individuals. Our farm is in a VERY remote location, so you must be comfortable with being far away from other people for long stretches of time to seriously consider this opportunity. Generally, we travel to Petersburg to sell vegetables just once every two weeks throughout the summer months (a four hour boat ride), so you will not spend much time in town while working on our farm. Also, please be aware that we live in a temperate rainforest, which means it rains A LOT. We work outside, rain or shine, so be prepared to spend many of your days working in full rain gear with a warm hat!
Our ideal candidates are folks who are interested to learn more about the inner workings of a small scale farm, with preference given to those planning to start their own farm in the future. We place a high value on efficiency and time management and are looking for farm helpers with strong work ethic who are positive, dedicated, and like to have fun outside. We prefer a season long commitment but are flexible and will consider stays of a month or more on a case by case basis.
Daily work expectation is 9 am to 5 pm with an hour lunch break. Interns will work roughly 5 days a week with the schedule altering to accommodate harvest and market days. Interns are encouraged to explore the area on days off — we provide kayaks and some camping gear.

Educational Opportunities: At Farragut Farm you will participate in every aspect of running a small-scale mixed vegetable farm. From seeding to transplanting, cultivation to farm-scale compost making, harvesting, marketing and more. In addition, there will be hands-on opportunities to learn about a host of skills required for off-grid, remote living including: running a small sawmill, farm construction projects, alternative energy systems, and boat handling/marine safety.

Skills Desired: Some farm/garden experience is preferred, but not required. We would prefer a candidate who is seriously motivated to learn more about small scale food production. You must be physically fit, as many farm responsibilities are physically demanding. We are looking for someone who is independent, energetic, curious, responsible, positive and enjoys hard work. Due to our location on the coast, you also need to be comfortable with being on the water and boat travel.

Meals: Lunch will be provided on work days. Breakfast and dinner are your responsibility. You can harvest veggies from the farm whenever you like and we provide a certain amount of basic bulk foods (rice, beans, oats ,flour etc.). We do an extensive amount of seafood gathering and hunting and will share the catch with you. We will provide you with dinner on an occasional and unscheduled basis.

Stipend: We offer a monthly stipend of $600, with the possibility of a season completion bonus

Housing: We offer off-farm housing that is a 5 minute walk from the farm, giving you your own private space at the end of the day. It's a rustic, comfortable house with all the basic necessities including running hot & cold water, off grid electrical system, a propane cookstove/oven, a wood stove for heat, and a killer view from the porch.

Preferred method of Contact: email