Square Roots Farm

Last Updated On: junio 2nd, 2021 at 07:15AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
95 Old Cheshire Rd
Lanesborough, Massachusetts, 01237

Primary Contact: Michael Gallaher
Secondary Contact: Ashley Amsden

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 413-446-1446
    Email: farmers@squarerootsfarm.org

Website: Http://www.squarerootsfarm.org

Website: https://www.facebook.com/squarerootsfarm

Internship information

General Farm Description: Square Roots Farm is a diversified family livestock farm located on 185 acres in Lanesborough, Massachusetts entering our twelfth year of operation. We use rotational grazing to build healthy soils, sequester carbon, raise exceptional animals, and produce delicious food for our community. We follow organic practices and work to honor, restore, and build upon relationships among people, animals, food, and the land. Our customer base spans multiple cross-sections of our community, from seasonal tourists and second home owners to middle class residents and families facing financial struggles. We vend at farmers' markets that serve low income communities by accepting and doubling SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) benefits. Our farm team consists of owners Michael & Ashley, farm kids Maggie and Everett, 1-3 part-time farm hands, 5000 meat chickens, 1000 laying hens, 150 turkeys, 30 head of Devon cattle, 24 pigs and 2 seasonal apprentices. This year, we have several exciting projects in the works as we adapt to increased demand and a changed local food system following the COVID-19 pandemic. We are expanding our web store and home-delivery service, introducing a mixed meat CSA, and building an on-site farm store. We hope you'll bring your own energy and ideas to the table when you join our team!

CRAFT Member Farm? Yes

Internship Starts: Rolling
Internship Ends: November
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: until filled
Minimum Length of Stay: 3 months

Internship Details:

A Square Roots Farm apprenticeship will provide the apprentice with the practical skills to take on a livestock manager position at a similar small-to-medium, pasture based farm, or to start their own farm. Apprentices will come away with competence and confidence in a wide variety of concrete tasks, as detailed below, that involve the daily and seasonal care of livestock and pastures. She or he will also leave with a deep sense of the why’s and how’s of regenerative agriculture, including rotational, multi-species, management intensive grazing and humane animal handling.

We’re looking for someone who is a fast learner and who is ready to take on responsibility. We enjoy teaching and helping people learn and perfect new skills. While this apprenticeship is designed to give candidates the experience and confidence necessary to pursue a career in sustainable vegetable production, it can also be a great experience for someone who is exploring agriculture or who is not yet on a settled path.

Previous farm experience is great, but not required. We want someone who is passionate, energetic, and responsible. We want someone who can still smile after four hours in 40 degree rain, who likes the way their muscles feel when they are tired. We want someone who can lift 50lbs, asks good questions, and who has a drivers license.

Timing: April 1 – Late November

Below is a partial list of tasks that we expect the apprentice will learn to regularly complete by the end of the apprenticeship:

Independently:

All livestock chores
Move all classes of livestock, including tractor driving for layer moves as well as across-farm cow moves
Wash eggs
Tag and band calves
Troubleshoot waterers
Troubleshoot fencing
Build/fix waterline
Mow with bush hog, weedwacker
Operate a tractor for mowing, loader work, towing
Egg and meat delivery

In Group

Chicken processing
Catch chickens
Load steers
Load pigs
Build fence
Farmers market
Chainsaw work

Compensation includes: – Monthly stipend dependent on experience, starting at $1000/month – housing on the farm in either a rustic yurt or camper in the woods or a room in the farm house – one meal/work day, plus unlimited “farmer” eggs and chicken and a discount on other farm products – utilities, including electric, wifi, laundry, kitchen/shower facilities, and firewood – participation in the CRAFT apprentice training program (http://www.craftfarmapprentice.com/) – 5 paid personal days – $100 education credit, plus 2 paid professional development days

Educational Opportunities: 2x monthly visits to area farms through the CRAFT apprentice training program $100 education credit, plus 2 paid professional development days

Skills Desired: must be able to repeatedly lift 50lbs drivers license experience working or recreating outdoors in all conditions farming experience welcomed but not required

Meals: At least one meal per work day is provided.

Stipend: Yes

Housing: Yes

Preferred method of Contact: email