Fort Hill Farm Apprenticeship

Last Updated On: noviembre 1st, 2022 at 08:36AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
18 Fort Hill Rd.
New Milford, Connecticut, 06776

Primary Contact: Paul Bucciaglia
Secondary Contact: Rebecca Batchie

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 860-350-3158
    Email: forthillfarm@gmail.com

Website: http://www.forthillfarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Fort Hill Farm is a 20 acre farm in the hills of northwestern Connecticut producing certified organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Our markets include a 300 share CSA, farm stand, two farmers markets, and wholesale accounts. The farm is leased from Sunny Valley Preserve, a project of The Nature Conservancy. The farm cultivates about 12 acres of vegetable and cover crops. In addition, we have four greenhouses and a large high tunnel for production of transplants and in-soil tomato production. The farm is certified organic, and uses a broad range of biological farming approaches such as extensive use of cover crops and on-farm composting. We use machinery for most tillage and many planting, cultivating, and harvesting operations and train apprentices in the use of this equipment. The farm is located near town, with quick access to many great hiking and canoeing opportunities in northwestern Connecticut.

CRAFT Member Farm? Yes

Internship Starts: Last Monday in March
Internship Ends: Friday before Thanksgiving
Number of Internship Available: 4
Application Deadline: Applications considered year round, fall best time to apply
Minimum Length of Stay: 8 Months

Internship Details:

Practical training in organic crop and overall farm management is offered, as well as training in tractor operation. Our goal is to give apprentices the opportunity to learn the skills they will need to manage their own farm– practical info like the details of growing over 40 different crops, operating machinery, managing propagation and vegetable production greenhouses, managing farmers market stands. Through informal discussions in the early spring and late fall, we also expose apprentices to other important topics like soil fertility management, budgets, crop plans, and starting a farm.

Educational Opportunities: Greenhouse seedling and tomato production, soil preparation, soil fertility and compost management, cultivation methods for over 40 horticultural crops, farm business management, CSA and farmers market management, weed and pest management. Fort Hill Farm is a member of CRAFT of Western Connecticut; apprentices will have the opportunity for monthly visits to area farms to tour the farm and hear about that farmers area of expertise please see https://westernctcraft.weebly.com for more details.

Skills Desired: Previous farm experience is helpful but not essential. We have found that apprentices who volunteer or work on a farm before committing to a season long apprenticeship have a better idea of what to expect and get more out of their experience. We are looking for folks with a desire and ability to do outdoor, physical work in all kinds of weather, a sincere interest in farming, and a desire to learn more about it.

Meals: Farm produce is available for apprentice use. Apprentices make their own meals. We have a crew potluck or payday pizza together most Fridays.

Stipend: Apprentices are paid an hourly wage of $16 an hour for farm labor and on the job training. Overtime is paid for work over 40 hours per week. Craft visits and other on-farm educational opportunities not paid.

Housing: Apprentices can choose to find their own housing, or live next door to the farm at an affordable rent.

Preferred method of Contact: email