Sustainable farming internship or apprenticeship at Fiddlehead Farm with Rogue Farm Corps

Last Updated On: enero 26th, 2022 at 10:00AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
Rogue Farm Corps, Portland Area Chapter
Corbett, Oregon , 97019

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

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

Internship information

General Farm Description: Fiddlehead Farm is a queer and women owned and operated family farm tucked into the Sandy River valley in the rural community of Corbett. The farm is nineteen acres, with six acres in cultivation for the sustainable production of Certified Organic vegetables. The remaining acreage is kept in native forest that is dense, wild, and beautiful. Given this balance we are committed to growing food in an ecologically sound manner, with special focus on conservation of the farm and the forest. We are excited to share our practices with the next generation of farmers! Corbett is a small rural community located just 20 miles east of Portland, at the mouth of the Columbia River Gorge. The area is rich in natural beauty and has many hiking trails, viewpoints, and swimming holes, some of which are accessible directly from the farm. The local grange hall is a popular gathering place with regular classes and square dances. We take great pride in the food we grow and our vegetables are known for being of the highest quality. Our produce is sold through a Fall and Winter CSA, at the Montavilla fall and winter markets, through food coops, and a small handful of restaurants. Fiddlehead is a production focused farm. We derive all of our income from the farm so we work hard to maintain a thriving and sustainable business model while also trying to maintain a quality of life for our family. See website for more details.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: Flexible between April/May 2022
Internship Ends: November 2022 to February 2023
Number of Internship Available: We are a bit flexible with our start and end dates but are looking for either one long term person from April-Feb or two shorter term folks to fill that time frame.
Application Deadline: Priority consideration 1/27/22, applications open until positions are filled
Minimum Length of Stay: 6-8 months

Internship Details:

Fiddlehead Farm is a participating 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

Educational Opportunities: Since our farm is focused on Fall/Winter production, the positions are focused on crop care (seeding, planting, weeding, etc) for Fall and Winter specific crops, and our main harvest season does not start until September. Since we steward 16 acres of forest, invasive plant removal and trail maintenance is also a part of the work we do here on the farm when not in the busy harvest season. In addition to the on-farm training, participants will also attend an educational even series with Rogue Farm Corps, including classes, farm tours, and discussion groups. See website for more details.

Skills Desired: We are looking for folks who are thoughtful, considerate, hardworking, and dedicated to an entire season, once we establish what that season will look like for the individual. We value communication, positivity, openness, and curiosity. There will be a lot of physical exertion throughout the day so the applicant should have some outdoor or physical labor experience.

Meals: Veggies and fruit from the farm are available to participants.

Stipend: $13.50/hour plus any veggies we produce and fruit from our small orchard. We will also reimburse the RFC tuition amount once the season is completed.

Housing: No on-farm housing is offered. The farm is 20-30 minutes drive from the Portland Metro area where there are lots of housing options.

Preferred method of Contact: email / website