Sustainable farming apprenticeship at Our Table Cooperative with Rogue Farm Corps

Last Updated On: enero 26th, 2022 at 10:04AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
Rogue Farm Corps
Sherwood, Oregon , 97140

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

Website: https://www.roguefarmcorps.org/host-farms/our-table

Internship information

General Farm Description: Our Table Cooperative farms on 58 acres of land about 20 miles south of Portland. We raise a variety of crops, including vegetables, blueberries, strawberries and apples. A year-round creek, a large pond, varying topography, a lovely view of Mount Hood, and wonderful neighbors make this a diverse and peaceful location. Our Table has the unique perk of operating an on-site grocery store and kitchen, which provide locally sourced food to the surrounding community and a venue in which to host events like farm dinners and stone-fired pizza happy hours. The farm has easy access to both town and country. Nearby are the towns of Sherwood and Wilsonville, with parks and restaurants, and also the sprawling vineyards and hills of Yamhill County. The farm crew consists of seven people between annual and perennial productions, and the store/kitchen employ another ten. Our Table is in its eighth year of production. Andrew is in his tenth season farming in small scale vegetable operations. He has grown veggies in Missouri, South Carolina, and Oregon. Over the years, he has developed a love for studying soil science, integrating both humor and efficiency in daily workflow, and mastering a comprehensive knowledge of systems he encounters on the farm. In his third season at Our Table, Andrew is thrilled to nurture living soil and to interact with all overlapping functions on the farm. Our Table grows vegetables intensively on 3 acres, with an additional 4 acres cultivated in annual cover crops. We use no-till, raised bed practices in the production fields, 4 hoop houses, and 6 caterpillar tunnels. The perennial side of the farm includes fruit and nut trees, 8 acres of blueberries, 4 strawberry tunnels, and beekeeping. We supply produce weekly for a seasonal CSA, but our primary sales outlets are through stores (including our on-site store) and restaurants in the larger Portland metropolitan areas. Our annual crew consists of five members and our perennial crew consists of two.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 3/15/22
Internship Ends: 11/15/22
Number of Internship Available: 1, 30-40hrs/wk
Application Deadline: Priority consideration 1/27/22, applications open until positions are filled
Minimum Length of Stay: 6-8 months

Internship Details:

Our Table Cooperative is a participating host farm with Rogue Farm Corps’ 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: Apprenticing at Our Table includes an all-encompassing vegetable farm experience. Candidates can expect to be involved in the entire life cycle of growing vegetables, including bed preparation, seeding in the propagation house, transplanting, direct seeding, cultivation, harvest of over 70 varieties, and washing/packing of produce. We are committed to using solely no-till practices on two acres this season, a transition that has been a three year process. The apprentice would participate in practices of tarping, composting in several forms, mulching, and the science involved in not disturbing the soil. The apprentice would have the opportunity to be trained and to use equipment such as a BCS, front-loading tractors, flail mowers, a JANG seeder, irrigation risers and pump, among others. The apprentice will have access to the seasonal planting plan, as well accounts, sales, and farm financials for a comprehensive understanding of the logistical side of farming. Finally, the apprentice will be able to witness and join planning on a smaller scale and how that fits into the entirety of the season. In addition to the on-farm training, apprentices will participate in Rogue Farm Corps' apprenticeship class series, which includes farm tours, classes, and discussions. More information is available on the website.

Skills Desired: Our Table is seeking an apprentice who is detail oriented, enjoys working in a group, and is motivated to streamline learning and workflow. Communication and cohesion in our crew are highly prioritized, as is the ability to listen to one another. The work is mostly physical, but requires a sharp mind, good judgment, and a great sense of humor. There are opportunities to participate in farm events, educational activities, and various other projects at the Cooperative. We would prefer to welcome someone with prior vegetable farming experience and a general interest or commitment to this kind of work beyond a single experience.

Meals: No, but some farm fruit and veggies are available.

Stipend: We are able to offer an apprentice a minimum hourly wage as well as a few other benefits such like discounts from our on-site grocery store/kitchen and produce and fruit from the farm.

Housing: No housing is provided on the farm at this time. We are five minutes from Sherwood, OR, a town of 20, 000 people, and within easy driving distance of the larger Portland metropolitan area. Portland is 20 miles from the farm. Apartments, rooms, and shared housing options are plentiful.

Preferred method of Contact: email / website