Weathertop Farm
Last Updated On: diciembre 16th, 2024 at 10:02AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:963 Eanes Rd NE
Check, Virginia, 24072
Primary Contact: Sarah Shannon
Secondary Contact: Cedric Shannon
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: 540-739-4488
Email: info@weathertopfarm.com
Secondary Phone
Type: -----
Number: 540-651-2010
Email:
Website: https://www.weathertopfarm.com
Website: https://www.facebook.com/WeathertopFarmLLC/
Internship information
General Farm Description: Weathertop Farm is a family-owned and operated farm located on about 200 acres in scenic Floyd County, Virginia, just a few miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway, and only 14 miles from the Town of Floyd, renowned for a thriving art, music, and local food scene. We are dedicated to holistic regenerative agriculture through multi-species rotational grazing and intensive management. No antibiotics or hormones are used, and all livestock eat from pasture that is free of pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers. Any supplemental feed we use is non-GMO and locally sourced. Our diverse business includes raising and selling pastured chickens, eggs, pork, lamb, turkey, and beef. In contrast to homestead or other non-profit operations, we are a for-profit business, therefore all facets of our farm must work together to enhance the whole business. We do the bulk of our sales direct-to-consumer here at the farm, another large portion through farmers markets, and a limited amount of wholesale to local food stores. Our farm work and life shifts with the seasons. In addition to daily animal care, we also do all of our own poultry processing on the farm. That involves chicken processing once per week from June-October, as well as several days of turkey butchering in October and November. The hogs, sheep, and steers all have assigned dates with a butcher, which involves catching and transport to & from the various processors. In our freezers, we maintain a fairly large inventory of meats which we take to farmers markets and sell from the farm store. Our farm team is composed of owner-farmers, Sarah & Cedric, along with 4 to 6 employees in apprentice and manager positions, as needs dictate. Additionally, our farm encompasses a diverse multi-generational community of family, friends, neighbors and visitors, from grandparents to young children, all of whom participate with the farm at various times and in varying degrees. We care a great deal about our farm community. Patience, flexibility, and understanding are a must. We value diversity and equality and welcome anyone who is kind and conscientious to apply to join our team. Couples welcome.CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: March 1st, preferably (but let us know you're availabilty before and/or after that date, and we'll consider.)
Internship Ends: 12/15/2025
Number of Internship Available: 4-5
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Minimum Length of Stay: 10 months through mid-December. *Potential for further employment for the right fit, at the discretion of the farm and depending on farm needs.
Internship Details:
Currently Accepting Farm Apprentice Applications for March 1st Start!
We’re looking for folks interested in and passionate about preserving regenerative, sustainable agriculture systems within our local food-shed communities.
Weathertop Farm invites 4 to 6 farm-hand-apprentices each year for the duration of our season, preferably beginning in March, with some starting later, and staying through mid-December. We give preference to those who commit to the full season, but depending on needs, we may consider other arrangements.
Apprentices must be ready to work hard doing manual labor in all kinds of weather. We expect apprentices to put in 40-50 hours a week on average, depending on farm schedule and season; summer is our busiest time. Depending upon the day or task, apprentices might work alongside manager or farmers, in teams, or independently.
Each apprentice will rotate through all areas of the farm. Work will include but is not limited to:
Daily care of animals (work closely with livestock: hens, broilers, turkeys, hogs, cattle, sheep)
- Collecting & cleaning eggs
- Handling feed in 50-lb sacks on a daily basis
- Operating tractor and mower
- Daily portable-electric-fence moving
- Frequent set-up/moving of portable housing, hoses, fences, etc., for all animal groups
- Daily pasture-pen moving for broilers (some by hand, some by tractor)
- Participating in daily farm-team meeting
- Plotting animal movement on the grazing chart
- On-farm poultry processing (averaging once/week June-Nov); participation mandatory
- Assisting set-up of trailers for catching/sorting animals
- Occasional building & maintenance projects
- Deliveries to local businesses
- Occasional involvement in farmers markets (Sat & Wed)
- Handle on-farm sales
- Keeping each work area clean and organized
- Miscellaneous tasks may involve, but are not limited to: composting, mowing, cleaning out bedding from brooder & hoop-houses, firewood prep, driving to mill for feed pick-up and unloading, etc.
Application Process:
- Read all information on Apprentice Page of our website.
- Complete the 2025 Apprentice Application (also available on Apprentice Page) and email us, please (info@weathertopfarm.com).
- Typically we respond within a week.
- If your application is selected for consideration, we will invite you for an initial online interview.
- After the interview, we may invite you for an on-farm working visit.
Educational Opportunities: You can expect to learn about the nitty-gritty details of raising animals first-hand--what the daily work is like on a farm as well as the bigger picture of how we plan for the year and how to integrate multiple species in a pasture-based system. We will spend a lot of time in conversation about farming and related issues. You will have ample opportunity to ask whatever questions you have. Through this experience you can gain an understanding of the daily ups and downs and ins and outs of a farming season. Because of the diverse range of tasks we require help with--from raising animals to butchering to marketing and sales--you will gain an understanding of how the diverse multi-species grazing operation of our farm is integrated into one business, functioning as a whole. Group farm classes: We aim to hold a class about once every week or two, depending on the season. Classes start with lunch, and discussions are prefaced by a variety of short readings or videos to spur conversation. We focus on a wide range of topics related to farming and symbiotic issues. Classes alternate between practical how-to's & more theoretical discussions, in which Farmer Cedric delves into his passion which combines philosophy & farming. When possible, we do our best to cater class offerings to individual preference and interest. Additional Opportunities: *Access to our farm library, including some recommended readings and podcasts *Visit with other farms & alternative food systems in Floyd *Occasional workshops, lectures, films, conferences offered in the Floyd area *Local Conference, when possible
Skills Desired: What we require of an apprentice: *Ability to do manual labor (e.g. lifting a lot of 50 lb feed sacks) *Enthusiasm, flexibility, & tenacity *Ability & willingness to follow directions & ask questions *Cooperation in working with others *Individual initiative *Patience both with yourself & others *Comfortable around animals *Good physical health and fitness *Perseverance in adverse weather (heat/cold/rain/snow/etc.) *Willingness to work on some weekends and holidays *Commitment to the entire season *Must be 18 years old by start of apprenticeship *No firearms and no illegal drugs. *No smoking or vaping within farm buildings or living facilities or during work hours. *Not distracted by personal technology (cell phone, etc.) during workday Not required, but are a plus: *Previous farming experience *Basic carpentry or mechanical skills *Comfortable driving (or learning to drive) tractors, manual-gear truck, large delivery van *Comfortable or experienced in a sales setting and interacting with customers *Having your own vehicle (no local public transportation available)
Meals: Monday through Friday, we eat lunch together as a team—Farmers Sarah and Cedric, apprentices, and managers. Other family and friends may sometimes join, as well. Sometimes employees will be invited to dinner with advance notice. All other meals you will be responsible for yourself. You will be provided a generous share of eggs, poultry, and meat that is grown on the farm. When there is time we enjoy growing a garden and sharing the produce between the team. Please be aware that since we are in the business of raising & selling meat, our farm-raised protein is a staple of our diet, and we are unable to accommodate vegan diets.
Stipend: STIPEND: $1,200/month + Housing and Utilities + Meat/Poultry/Egg share + some meals, plus an additional bonus upon completion of the season in December.
Housing: HOUSING PROVIDED: Shared 2-bedroom apartment or shared 4-bedroom house. Both housing options come with individual bedrooms, full kitchen and bath (including composting toilet), washer/dryer, heating, WiFi. All utilities included. Basic furnishings provided.
Preferred method of Contact: email