The Farm at Sunnyside

Last Updated On: diciembre 2nd, 2020 at 11:40AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
27 Sweetwater Ln
Washington, Virginia , 22747

Primary Contact: Tyler Zander
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 9283800241
    Email: tyler@thefarmatsunnyside.com

Website: http://thefarmatsunnyside.com/about/employment/

Internship information

General Farm Description: The Farm at Sunnyside is a certified organic vegetable farm that grows a wide variety of produce and cover crops on 15 acres of annual fields set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains in Rappahannock County, Virginia. We also have ten acres of fruit and pear trees, a flock of laying hens, and make compost for on farm use.

CRAFT Member Farm? Yes

Internship Starts: 03/1/2021
Internship Ends: 12/1/2021
Number of Internship Available: 3
Application Deadline: 1/30/2021
Minimum Length of Stay: 6 months

Internship Details:

Seasonal workers will help with most aspects of vegetable production including planting, weeding, covering, staking, mulching, harvesting and marketing produce. These can be difficult and tedious jobs done in all weather conditions.

Full-time seasonal workers generally work 5 and a half days each week. We strive to have a fairly normal work schedule, usually starting between 7:30 and 8:30 and end between 5:00 and 6:00 pm throughout the season. We take an hour to an hour and a half lunch break depending on the month and the temperature. Days off are generally Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Other days may be requested off for vacation or special occasions. Seasonal workers can use as many vacation days as months of contract (if you are here for 6 months, you get 6 vacation days off.)

Our workforce and workload is smallest at the beginning of the season (March and April) and the end of the season (November and December). Shorter days and cooler temperatures limit work hours during these periods to 30 to 40 per week. We will have the most workers and most hours in the middle of the season from the end of May to early October. At the height of the season from late July and until late September, employees can anticipate working up to 50 hours per week.

First year workers receive some individual areas of responsibility which may include: high tunnel co-management, wholesale packing, wash and pack room oversight, poultry care, golf cart maintenance & market preparations. These responsibilities are based on worker skills and interest and the needs of the farm.

Educational Opportunities: Efforts are made to regularly explain the how and why of our particular day by day farming practices, and this is important in giving meaning to the many activities that we engage in during the season. The demands of seasonal production and keeping an organic farm weed free are such that most of our time is spent engaged in essential activities, but we always encourage questions if the details of a specific task are not understood. Opportunities to regularly visit other local small scale farms will hopefully return in the near future when it is safe for all participants to do so.

Skills Desired: Aoplicants should have previous experience working in a team environment, and have a keen interest in putting forth the physical effort needed to successfully produce food in the outdoors. A willingness to learn and follow specific directions is also necessary. Agricultural or gardening experience is welcome, but not necessary. Mostly we're looking for employees who are committed to the long arc of a full growing season here, with all its ups and downs met by a consistently positive and can-do attitude.

Meals: There is access to a wide variety of healthy seasonal produce and eggs.

Stipend: We pay seasonal staff on an hourly basis, and first year workers without previous farm experience start at $8.25 an hour.

Housing: First year workers will have a private bedroom in a 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom house with shared living, dining and kitchen spaces. Pets are not allowed. There is internet, laundry and a phone line (typically only cell phones with Sprint service work here). Commuting distance from employee housing to the main farm center is a short walk with a nice view.

Preferred method of Contact: email