Internship on Diversified Farm – The Benson Place
Last Updated On: febrero 19th, 2026 at 04:52PM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:PO Box 36
182 Flagg Hill Road
Heath, Massachusetts, 01346
Primary Contact: Meredith Wecker
Primary Phone:
Type: Home
Number: 413-337-5340
Email: info@bensonplace.org
Website: https://bensonplace.org
Internship information
General Farm Description: The Benson Place, a 60 acre certified organic farm growing primarily low-bush blueberries, is seeking one more apprentice for the 2026 season. We are located in the somewhat remote and beautiful hills of Heath, MA. We manage the blueberry fields principally by hand and we focus on plant nutrient density to maximize crop health and boost immunity towards plant diseases and insects. In order to further support the blueberry crop as well as the health of the ecosystem, we are gradually planting out 10% of our acreage in pollinator habitat designed for native bees. In addition to the blueberries, which are the mainstay of the farm, we run a diverse, integrated farm and homestead with a herd of goats, a large minimally-hand tilled vegetable garden, meat chickens, and a diversity of other fruits. We are also beginning to plant out a 6-acre chestnut and elderberry silvopasture.CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: April 1
Internship Ends: November 1
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: none
Minimum Length of Stay: Seven months
Internship Details:
Apprentices will participate in and gain skills in the following areas:
- Goats- milking, herding to pasture, pasture management, general maintenance, hoof trimming, basic cheese making, harvesting and processing
- Poultry- general maintenance, pasturing/fence moving, chick rearing, harvesting and processing
- Fruit and Nut Tree and shrub- establishment, maintenance, and harvesting, understory plantings
- Firewood Harvesting and Processing/Tree Felling. Basic chainsaw use.
- Vegetable Gardening- no-till organic methods, fertility management, pest and disease management, raised-bed establishment and maintenance, greenhouse management, transplanting, cover cropping, harvesting and storage, compost making
- Blueberry- field maintenance, nutrient dense fertility management, harvesting and processing
- Tractor Use- mowing, spreading amendments, moving logs and things around the farm
- Building and repair projects as they arise
- Basic permaculture design
- Planting for pollinators- design principles
The apprenticeship entails an average of 46 hours (depending on weekend chore duty) of work per week with a stipend of $1650/month in addition to meals and lodging. The apprenticeship begins April 1st with an end date of November 1st.
Educational Opportunities: We visit other farms in the area and have educational video nights.
Skills Desired: Enthusiasm to learn about sustainable agriculture. Physical stamina.
Meals: Yes
Stipend: $1650 per month
Housing: Yes
Preferred method of Contact: email