Mastodon Farm

Last Updated On: noviembre 18th, 2019 at 11:53AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
8393 Whaley Highway
CLAYTON, Michigan , 49235

Primary Contact: Patrick Madden
Secondary Contact: none

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 5173010434
    Email: paddy.mastodonfarm@gmail.com

Website: www.mastodonfarm@gmail.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Mastodon Farm is a 60 acre property located in SE Michigan 15 miles SW of Adrian, MI. Half of the property is in pasture, hay and vegetable ground. The other half is natural habitat including woods (sugar-bush), upland prairie, wetland / peat bog, and fish pond. Our purpose is to produce high-quality food items for the local community while improving the soil and habitat on the farm. Products include beef, chicken, eggs, vegetables, honey, maple syrup, mushrooms, and medicinal herbs. No chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, etc. are used in any type of production. Humane and ethical care of the animals is a top priority.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: May 2020
Internship Ends: November 2020 or indefinite
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: May 1, 2020
Minimum Length of Stay: varaible

Internship Details:

I work off-farm and I am looking for someone to be available, at minimum, throughout the growing season (May – Oct and especially July – Sept) to help with daily care of the animals and garden while I am sporadically traveling for work (I travel 0-5 days per week). Ideally I would like to find someone reliable who would ultimately become a long-term partner and have a stake in the business.

Primary responsibilities are to be available to take care of the animals while Im out of town. Applicant would need to be available during these times. Applicant would be welcome to make a larger contribution up-to and including staying on the farm full-time. Any additional commitment would open up more production opportunities. Secondarily, there is a need for help with marketing and sales of farm products. Applicant will be encouraged to develop these opportunities and share in the profits of newly established markets.

Educational Opportunities: Applicant will receive a wide scope of educational benefits based on the activities they will be involved in: Organic vegetable production (greenhouse and outdoors), livestock care and husbandry, beekeeping, maple syrup production, medicinal herb preparations, marketing and sales. Additional scopes may be added depending on the applicant’s level of involvement and interest. The farm is being developed based on the regenerative / permaculture model. Applicant will be learning about and observing the results of these principles in practice. Applicant will have the opportunity to learn about various homesteading activities including cooking, preserving the harvest (fermenting and canning), butchering livestock, brewing beer, and a variety of other activities.

Skills Desired: Applicant must be reliable and must have respect for the livestock and the property. Any other skills are welcome. Carpentry, building, and mechanical skills would be very helpful and compensation may be made available based on completion of projects.

Meals: no

Stipend: This is considered a volunteer position but some compensation may be available based on performance. The compensation structure is negotiable and will vary depending on the individual. At minimum, a daily stipend will be provided for the days/weeks when the applicant is solely responsible for taking care of the livestock. At maximum, additional compensation will be provided for new sales and for completion of projects. Applicant will have access to surplus farm products for personal use.

Housing: yes

Preferred method of Contact: email