Sustainable Farming Apprenticeship at 2 Pony Produce with Rogue Farm Corps

Last Updated On: enero 26th, 2022 at 08:54AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
Rogue Farm Corps, satellite partner farm
Lebanon, Oregon , 97355

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

Website: https://www.roguefarmcorps.org/host-farms/2ponyproduce

Internship information

General Farm Description: Eric and Laura Pond own and operate 2 Pony Produce Co. We have 10 acres east of Lebanon, OR along the south Santiam river. We farm 2.5 acres of this. We are a family of four, two dogs, 4 cats and a horse. We grow a wide range of vegetables including a small patch of asparagus, berries including blueberries, raspberry, blackberries, strawberries, table grapes, herbs and flowers for the food bank in our area and a couple of regular CSA members. We farm organically but are not certified yet. We use a 100’ permanent bed system, drip irrigation, overhead irrigation and try to minimally till, we have a BCS walk-behind tractor with a full range of attachments and a small 35 hp tractor. We cover crop and use silage tarps to help manage weeds and build soils. 4 cold tunnels are used for season extension.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: mid-April
Internship Ends: mid-October
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: Priority consideration 1/27/22, applications open until positions are filled
Minimum Length of Stay: 6-8 months

Internship Details:

2 Pony Produce is a participating host farm with Rogue Farm Corps’ Advanced Level Apprenticeship program. 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

Educational Opportunities: Because we are a small farm, the applicant would be included in all aspects of farming and would have opportunity to learn, seeding, planting, weeding, cultivation, limited equipment operation, irrigation, pest and disease mitigation and control, harvesting, packing delivery, small farm food safety, and some interaction with clients. More specifically, applicants will learn the seeding/planting, production, harvest and packing of organic vegetables, berries, grapes and herbs.

Skills Desired: We are looking for someone with some experience who wants to learn more, is excited to be outside and is interested in farming as a career/lifestyle. We are looking for attention to detail, thoughtful and kind. No smoking. In-person interview or video interview session required.

Meals: Free vegetables and berries as they are available from the farm.

Stipend: The applicant will be paid minimum wage up to $15.00 per hour depending on experience.

Housing: No housing is provided. We are located 10 min east of the town of Lebanon and 35 min east of Corvallis. There are apartments for rent in the Lebanon area.

Preferred method of Contact: email / website