Red Shirt Farm

Last Updated On: enero 25th, 2022 at 09:16AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
60 Williamstown Rd
Lanesborough, Massachusetts, 01237

Primary Contact: Jim Schultz
Secondary Contact: Sarah French

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 413 822 9250
    Email: jim@redshirtfarm.com

Secondary Phone
    Type: Cell
    Number: 518 429 9202
    Email: sarah@redshirtfarm.com

    Email: sarah@redshirtfarm.com

Website: https://redshirtfarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: We are a small diversified family-owned farm in Lanesborough, Massachusetts in the heart of the Berkshires. We raise vegetables without the use of any pesticides, chemical fertilizer or GMO’s using methods that enhance the soil and nutrient density. We also believe pasture-raised animals are integral to the vitality of a farm. Our heritage chickens, turkeys and pigs produce eggs and meat of unparalleled flavor and superior nutrition. The farm is a beautiful, relaxing place that offers an idyllic experience for all who visit.

CRAFT Member Farm? Yes

Internship Starts: April 1
Internship Ends: November 23
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: February 15
Minimum Length of Stay: April through November

Internship Details:

Here’s what the job involves:

At Red Shirt Farm we believe that it’s not enough to know, you must know how. That’s why you will participate in all aspects of managing and running a diverse regenerative small-scale vegetable and animal farm during your time as an apprentice.

On the vegetable side of the operation, you will learn how to seed flats, graft and trellis tomatoes, monitor and water the greenhouses, direct seed and transplant in the fields, amend soil based on soil tests, cover crop, prepare beds, control weeds, manage pests, use tarps and flame weeders for stale seed bedding, harvest, wash and pack, extend the season, make compost, make hay and straw for our own mulch, operate a BCS Walk-behind tractor, sell at a farmers market, deliver to wholesale venues and manage a CSA.

On the animal side of the operation, you will learn about animal husbandry including breeding, incubation, hatching, brooding and pasturing heritage poultry, rearing heritage pigs on pasture, electric fencing and humane processing in our state- licensed mobile poultry processing unit.

The apprenticeship entails about 50-55 hours of work per week, including marketing at the CSA or farmers market for half a day on Saturdays. A typical work day is 6:30am-5:00pm with a mid-morning break and an hour lunch. There are rotating evening and weekend chores and occasional longer days for “emergency” situations.

We have a graduated stipend. Your stipend starts at $1,000/month plus room and board and constant educational opportunities. To acknowledge your improved skill set as well as the increased contribution you are making to the farm, the monthly stipend will increase by $100 on June 20 and on September 12 to $1,100 and $1,200 respectively pending positive performance reviews.

Okay, here’s our description of the ideal person for this job.

You are our ideal candidate if you:
-Are honest, responsible, respectful, reliable and self-motivated;
-Take pride in doing high quality work;
-Work well with others and individually;
-Have a good sense of humor and a desire to have fun;
-Are excited about living in community with others;

We need people who:
-Are ready to learn;
-Can take and give direction;
-Are excited about working intensely with all types of people;
-Have a “beginner’s mind” and are open to receiving constructive feedback.

Good people skills are important. You should:
-Display a friendly, energetic and engaged demeanor when interacting with CSA members and customers at the farmers markets;
-Be comfortable interacting with and leading volunteers, student work groups and WWOOFERs.

Our apprentices are held to high standards for:
-Organization,
-Attention to detail,
-Communication,
-Positive attitude,
-Respect and kindness for coworkers,
-Work quality,
-Work ethic,
-Punctuality.

The work is physically demanding and can be repetitive at times. You should:
-Be very physically fit and able to lift at least 55 pounds,
-Be comfortable bending, squatting, kneeling and lifting for extended periods,
-Expect to get dirty on a regular basis,
-Be prepared to work in all weather conditions (wind, rain, heat, cold),
-Find enjoyment in doing manual labor.

A few other requirements…
-A valid driver’s license and clean driving record,
-Your own transportation,
-Health insurance,
-Non- smoker.

We’re looking for an apprentice who wants to make a difference.

Educational Opportunities: Education is our primary goal at Red Shirt Farm. You will receive substantial education in all aspects of running a small-scale, diversified farm, and enjoy access to the farm’s extensive agricultural library of books, periodicals and online courses. You also have the opportunity to participate in CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training), which includes regular half-day visits to other farms in the area. Jim, the farmer, works beside you on most days to offer instruction and advice. Communal lunches afford a perfect opportunity for more in-depth discussion. If there is interest, interns can learn about and participate in food preservation, yoghurt making, bee-keeping and harvesting honey.

Skills Desired: Previous farm experience is a plus, but it is not required.

Meals: We provide a communal living space that includes a bathroom, kitchen and a small living area. Along with that we also provide all food and kitchen essentials, but anything specific will be your responsibility.

Stipend: Yes, we have a graduated stipend. Your stipend starts at $1,000/month plus room and board and constant educational opportunities. To acknowledge your improved skill set as well as the increased contribution you are making to the farm, the monthly stipend will increase by $100 on June 20 and on September 12 to $1,100 and $1,200 respectively pending positive performance reviews.

Housing: Yes.

Preferred method of Contact: email or phone