Mixed Vegetable and Animal Internship at Quackenbush Farm with Rogue Farm Corps

Last Updated On: enero 26th, 2022 at 10:17AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
Rogue Farm Corps, Portland Area Chapter
Eagle Creek, -- , 97022

Primary Contact: Rogue Farm Corps
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 541-588-3550
    Email: training@roguefarmcorps.org

Website: https://www.roguefarmcorps.org/host-farms/quackenbush

Internship information

General Farm Description: Quackenbush Farm is located in the beautiful Clackamas River Valley, about 30 minutes southeast of Portland, close enough for convenience but far enough away for peace and quiet. The closest population center is the old logging town of Estacada, about a 5 minute drive from the farm, where you have options for food, drink, and groceries, etc. The area is full of adventures and beauty, with the Clackamas River down the road, Mount Hood National Forest, Milo McIver State Park, and Estacada Lake just next door. Our focus has primarily been diversified, organic, fresh market veggies. The farm is a thriving business with our main markets being our weekend farmer’s markets, wholesale (school districts), restaurants, and a small on-site farm stand. Recently we have expanded into pasture-based livestock production, including a small flock of Katahdin lambs. Our production methods revolve around intensive, sustainable annual crop production. We are certified organic and utilize a variety of conservation practices to minimize our impact on the land and soil, including winter cover cropping, crop rotations, reduced tillage, pollinator plantings and hedgerows, and more. More details available on the website.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 4/1/22
Internship Ends: 10/31/22
Number of Internship Available: 1-2 interns, and 1 apprentice
Application Deadline: Priority consideration 1/27/22, applications open until positions are filled
Minimum Length of Stay: 6 months

Internship Details:

The flow of a typical farm year for our staff follows the 3 seasons of spring, summer, and fall:

Spring (April, May, early June) – The focus of this season is greenhouse work, field preparation, building/refurbishing farm infrastructure, and planting.

Summer (Late June, July, August) – This is the time for our biggest markets, big harvests, weeding, pruning and trellising, and more planting.

Fall (September, October) – The pace starts to slow a little here, with planting mostly over our focus now is harvesting, weeding, marketing, farm projects, and eventually turning the fields over and planting cover crop.

By the end of the year, we will provide exposure to virtually all aspects of farm operations, including all steps between the seed and the plate.

In addition to the on-farm training, RFC participants will attend the RFC educational events, including classes, farm tours, and discussion groups.

Educational Opportunities: Quackenbush Farm is a host farm with Rogue Farm Corps' internship and apprenticeship programs. RFC's Internship Program provides connections to existing farm operations for aspiring farmers who want to gain significant farming or ranching production experience and don’t have a lot of previous exposure. The Internship Program is an entry/intermediate-level, immersive program that combines hands-on training with skills-based education. No experience is required to apply, however some host farms do prefer applicants have some previous outdoor or physical work experience. RFC Internship programs are based in two distinct geographic chapter locations in Oregon: Rogue Valley and Portland Metro. Weekly hours and start/end dates vary by host farm (please see host farm descriptions for details). In addition to the on-farm training experience, participants engage in a series of farm tours, classes, and discussions (~3-5 events / month) focused on a broad array of sustainable agriculture and food system topics organized by Rogue Farm Corps (see a sample Internship Program events schedule here). Internship Program participants are exposed to farm knowledge, skills, and networks, through their experience with their host farm and Rogue Farm Corps. Full season positions generally run spring through fall. Short season Internships run for 8-15 weeks and are perfect for students or others who want to dip their toe in into farming and attend the concurrent Internship classes, farm tours, and discussion events. RFC's Apprenticeship Program is an on-farm learning experience for those who have at least one full season (5+ months and at least 600 hours) of farm or ranch experience (or equivalent). The Apprenticeship combines hands-on training and skills-based education for those ready to dive into the art and business of sustainable agriculture. This program helps people who want to continue in agriculture to learn the skills needed to manage and run a diversified farming operation, and deepen their understanding of ecological and sustainable agricultural practices. Similar to the Internship Program, apprentices train at one of RFC’s partner Host Farms. Participants also engage in a series of educational weekend intensives in locations around the state which include farm tours, networking, and camping. They also participate in a handful of online classes and discussions to round out the on-farm experience. The Apprenticeship, like the Internship, examines the economic, ecological and social sustainability of farm practices, and continues to build on these themes. RFC Apprenticeship host farm sites can be located up to 3 hours driving distance from an active chapter location (Portland Metro and Rogue Valley). APPLICATIONS / SCHOLARSHIPS Applications are accepted on our website on a rolling basis until positions are filled, but early applications are considered first. Apply by January 27th, 2022 for priority consideration. RFC has limited tuition scholarships available for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, veteran, and low-income applicants. RFC has developed COVID-19 safety protocols according to state and federal guidance and will adjust them as needed to protect the health and safety of our participants, staff, host farmers, and communities. In-person educational events are held outside with social distancing in place. TYPES OF AGRICULTURE Rogue Farm Corps partners with dedicated mentor host farms and ranches that focus on sustainable, regenerative, ecological, and/or organic approaches in their production methods. Host farm enterprises vary by farm and include animal (meat, dairy, eggs, etc) and plant-based production (vegetables, herbs, fruit, seeds, etc). Host farms are commercial, small-to-mid scale operations marketing to their local and regional community via a range of sales channels including farmers market, CSA, wholesale, and more. RFC participants are exposed to various farm production and marketing systems via RFC’s farm tour events. COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION Rogue Farm Corps is committed to an ongoing learning process around privilege, power, inequality and systems of oppression. RFC has a goal of making our programs welcoming to, inclusive of, and accessible to communities who are under-represented as farm operators in Oregon, including women, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+ individuals, low-income individuals and immigrants. Our desire to create a more equitable food system is reflected in RFC’s programs and collaborations. Learn more and apply: http://roguefarmcorps.org/training

Skills Desired: An ideal candidate would be one who is seriously considering a career in agriculture, either working for another farm or starting their own, and is actively pursuing these opportunities. Previous experience with farming is not required, but preferred and compensation will be adjusted accordingly. We do expect a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. We value clear and open communication and expect that our staff are actively engaged with questions, comments, and input on the farm operation.

Meals: Both interns and apprentices will also receive a CSA share for the season.

Stipend: Compensation for our internship will range from $1,500/month to $2,000/month stipend depending on experience. Compensation for our apprenticeship will be $13.50/hr.

Housing: Furnished housing is provided on farm for $400/month, plus $100/month for utilities (waste, water, electricity, propane, internet, stove wood). RFC interns/apprentices are provided housing on the farm, consisting of two large canvas wall tents (216 sqft each) on platforms furnished with wood stoves, supplemental propane heat, beds, some furniture, and electricity. They are spacious and very comfortable, and are located in a private grove of oaks with an outdoor hot shower, composting outhouse, fire pit, and sauna. Other amenities include an outdoor kitchen exclusively for our staff with appliances, access to our washer and dryer, and wireless internet throughout most of the property.

Preferred method of Contact: email / website