Weathertop Farm Apprenticeship – Regenerative Ag
Last Updated On: abril 17th, 2025 at 10:24AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:963 Eanes Rd NE
Check, Virginia, 24072
Primary Contact: Sarah Shannon
Secondary Contact: Cedric Shannon
Primary Phone:
Type: Office
Number: 540-651-2010
Email: info@weathertopfarm.com
Website: htttps://www.weathertopfarm.com
Internship information
General Farm Description: Weathertop Farm is a family-owned and operated farm located on about 200 acres in the scenic Blue Ridge of Floyd County, Virginia. 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 is non-GMO and locally sourced. Our diverse business includes raising and selling pastured chickens, eggs, pigs, lamb, turkeys, and cattle. 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. In addition to daily animal care, we also do all our own poultry processing on the farm, including broilers once per week from June-October and turkeys several days in October and November. We catch and transport our hogs, sheep, and steers to various processors. 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 and Cedric, who've been stewarding the Weathertop land for 20+ years, 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, so patience, flexibility and understanding are a must. We care a great deal about our farm community. 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: IMMEDIATE, but please let us know your availability, and we'll consider options.
Internship Ends: Mid-December for full season Apprenticeship. Will vary with shorter or longer* commitments. *Potential for further employment for the right fit, at the discretion of the farmers and depending on farm needs.
Number of Internship Available: 2-3
Application Deadline: Rolling
Minimum Length of Stay: Varies depending on needs and availability. Full Apprenticeship commitment is start date (ideally March 1) to mid-December
Internship Details:
Hiring Apprentices for full season and some shorter commitment possibilities.
Apply Here!
*** APPRENTICESHIP OVERVIEW ***
Weathertop Farm typically invites 4 to 6 apprentices each year for the duration of our season, beginning as early as March and staying through mid-December. While we give preference to candidates who can commit to the full season, we are open to considering shorter arrangements, summer season, fall season, etc., depending on our needs and your availability and interest.
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.
For a complete list of expectations, visit: weathertopfarm.com/apprenticeship
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. As time permits, we also offer group education classes and provide access to the farm library. For more description of educational opportunities visit: weathertopfarm.com/apprenticeship
Skills Desired: Farm experience is not required, but we value your education (formal or self-guided) and/or your demonstrated, genuine interest. Who have you been reading, following, researching in the realms of sustainable, regenerative agriculture, intensive grazing of livestock, rotational management systems, etc.? What brings you to explore the Apprenticeship at Weathertop Farm? We require: *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 & fitness. *Perseverance in adverse weather (heat/cold/rain/snow/etc.). *Willingness to work on some weekends and holidays. *Commitment to the entire season (preferred). *Must be 18 years old by start of apprenticeship. *Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor VISAs. *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.
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: $1,200/month + Housing and Utilities + Meat/Poultry/Egg share + some meals, plus an additional bonus upon completion of the season in December.
Housing: PROVIDED: Shared housing options 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