Millsap Farm

Last Updated On: marzo 25th, 2019 at 03:14PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:

Springfield, Missouri , 65803

Primary Contact: Curtis Millsap
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 417-839-0847
    Email: millsapfarms@gmail.com

Website: http://www.millsapfarms.com

Website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5jf-lGH3HI

Internship information

General Farm Description: Check out our video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5jf-lGH3HI We are a family run 20 acre diversified farm, just 4 miles north of Springfield MO, with an urban area of 450,000. Our farm is on the edge of the suburbs, but still retains a rural nature. We have 3 acres of vegetables, 7 acres of forest, one large pond, 10 acres of pasture, bedding plants and vegetable starts in a 6,000 square foot greenhouse, a small aquaponics system, vermicomposting, three high tunnels, seasonal poultry and pigs. We use organic practices, and sell most of our produce through our 100 member summer CSA and our 45 member winter CSA, along with attending a weekly farmer's market, selling to grocery stores and at an on-farm stand.nn We are close-knit, with a large family, and enjoy getting to know new people, both interns or apprentices, and new customers. We are founding members of Ozarks CRAFT, a farm training program based in Springfield Missouri, which offers intern and apprentices monthly workshops and farm tours. We are also involved in community outreach, including working with students at a local elementary school, and presenting educational programs to various organizations. Our motto is "Good for the Earth, and Good for you." We love equipping new farmers with the knowledge, experience, and skills to succeed, and most of our apprentices have gone on to start their own farms.

CRAFT Member Farm? Yes

Internship Starts: Febuary 1 2016 or whenever we fill the positions
Internship Ends: October 31st, 2016 or longer for apprentices
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: We will accept applications until we fill the position.
Minimum Length of Stay: 3 Months

Internship Details:

Intern/apprentices work alongside Curtis and Sarah and the rest of our crew as we farm and market. We have an experienced farmer and crew, so you will be learning and working alongside folks who have been doing this for a while, and are excited to share our craft. Tasks include; feeding, watering, fencing, sowing, transplanting, weeding, irrigating, harvesting, cleaning, packaging, distributing CSA shares, selling at the farmers markets and farm stand, composting, equipment repair and maintenance, construction, bread baking, etc.

Educational Opportunities: We will tour other area farms as part of Ozarks CRAFT, discuss and explain our philosophy and practice, instruct in skills and talents necessary on a diverse farm, from construction to weeding. Interns with have the opportunity to drive tractors, till, plant, weed, harvest, etc. We strive to allow interns and apprentices the opportunity to learn any aspect of the farm which they desire. Given an adequate commitment, we encourage apprentices to begin their own enterprise, which can be wholly their own, and which may lead to a long term business relationship with the farm. For example, in 2012, one of our apprentices raised and butchered 500 chickens and 100 turkeys with his family. We provided the infra-stucture and knowledge, and he purchased inputs and did the work. This internship/apprentice opportunity is really geared toward someone who wants to farm for a living, and is willing to put in the time and effort to succeed.

Skills Desired: Potential intern/apprentices must be willing to work hard, listen to instruction, and be committed to staying the season. No experience farming is necessary, but applicants with farm experience may be given preference. It is key that any applicant for this position be willing and able to work in heat and humidity, and most of all, have a sense of humor.

Meals: Meals are cooked in the community space in the downstairs of the farmhouse. Weekday breakfasts and lunches (which we all take turns cooking) are a communal affair, while suppers are independent. Intern/apprentices are welcome to any produce not earmarked for CSA, and a reasonable amount of meat from the freezers to prepare their meals. We are omnivores, and we eat meat with about half our meals; vegetarians will find our diet challenging, however, they are welcome to try, and we have had long term residents who are vegetarian.

Stipend: $300 per month stipend, plus room, board, and education, all of which adds up to a little more than minimum wage for a forty hour work week. Interns and apprentices who complete their commitment will get a completion bonus, plus our undying gratitude. Second year apprentices have the opportunity to earn more.

Housing: Housing is varied, depending on length of commitment and season. We have several bedrooms in the recently remodelled community space in the house, which has a bathroom, shower, kitchen, dining room and living room with a fireplace. Additionally, we have a tiny house on the farm, which is perfect for a couple. We also have a rustic cabin in the woods, with no power or water. Several intern families have brought R.V.'s and stayed in those for the season.

Preferred method of Contact: E-mail or Phone