White Barn Farm

Last Updated On: enero 25th, 2022 at 09:14AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
458 South St.
Wrentham, Massachusetts, 02093

Primary Contact: Christine Kantlehner
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 7742100359
    Email: info@whitebarnfarm.org

Website: https://www.whitebarnfarm.org

Internship information

General Farm Description: White Barn Farm grows vegetables and flowers using organic methods in Wrentham, MA. We are located in the midst of densely populated suburbia and have a Roadside stand where we sell our produce and a wide variety of other local products. We have a nearly year-round CSA and deliver to restaurants in Providence once/week. This farm is operated by Chris and Christy Kantlehner. Christy started the farm on her family's land in 2008. Chris joined her in 2009. They were married and have a son, Graham, but are now operating solely as business partners. The land is leased from Christy's family. We have three unheated high tunnels, one heated greenhouse for seedling production, and four 100' caterpillar tunnels. We use silage tarps, rotary harrow (not rototiller), the paper pot transplanting system, the greens harvester, waterwheel transplanter, landscape fabric, straw mulch (never plastic), tractor cultivation with a Farmall Cub, and plenty of people powered harvest, weed, and cultivation techniques. Row Cover and insect netting and the associated hooping and anchoring with sandbags play major roles in our season extension and pest exclusion. We have a well and use both overhead and drip irrigation and have frost free hydrants in all of our high tunnels. We have three walk in coolers, one right next to our fairly new wash station area that we added on to the barn with the help of a grant from MDAR to enhance our produce safety compliance. This space has a concrete pad, insulation and heat for the winter, and allows for efficiency, ergonomics, and cleanliness. We are highly motivated to preserve this piece of prime agricultural land as a community resource for food production. We also see this beautiful property as a place for community events that celebrate and educate about small scale agriculture. We are at a crucial point in the development of our small farm business and are seeking incredible team members that can see themselves growing with us. This is not a requirement, just throwing it out there! Enterprises with huge potential at the farm include the cut flower business, education programming, event and workshop planning/coordinating, prepared food production, and even the farmhouse as a country inn with a focus on agritourism. The next stage of growth is to build a permanent structure for our farmstand, with running water and adequate parking. Up to now we have somehow made do with tents and a tiny shed to operate our farmstand out of. A building could really catapult our business to the next level, offering opportunities for a wider range of retail products, a place for customers to enjoy prepared foods, a year round space for selling farm products and the associated ability to employ fantastic employees year round. The efficiencies offered by a real farmstand building seem boundless! Please find the job descriptions on our website and get in touch if you can see yourself growing with us! Thanks for reading. www.whitebarnfarm.org Go to the Employment menu on our website. Find job details for the following positions: * Production Assistant (to Field Manager) * Greenhouse Assistant/High Tunnel Manager * Flower Manager * Wash Station Manager * Field Crew (up to 4 positions available)

CRAFT Member Farm? Yes

Internship Starts: As early as April 1, as late as May 15
Internship Ends: through October 31, though college students needing to end earlier may be considered
Number of Internship Available: 4
Application Deadline: 4/25/2022
Minimum Length of Stay: 3 months

Internship Details:

Schedule: 40 hours/week. Depending on the time of season, our start time will vary between 7am and 8am. Your schedule will be roughly 8 hours/day, 5 days a week. We are willing to work with the right candidate(s) if interested in a reduced schedule. This position begins April 1st and goes through October 31st. Start date can be flexible, as late as May 15th. For every 8 hour shift you receive ½hour paid lunch break.
Responsibilities: Assist the Owners and Production Manager in all aspects of vegetable production, including: harvest, cultivation, transplanting, greenhouse work, handweeding, mulching, trellising, irrigation, retail set-up and distribution, and any other tasks as they arise.

Educational Opportunities: White Barn Farm is a family farm in Wrentham, MA that strives to provide its community with fresh produce, flowers and farm products grown using organic methods. We are an energized, fun-loving team that strives to achieve efficiency and productivity with enthusiasm and a sense of humor. We appreciate hard work, a commitment to excellence and the drive to constantly improve. Although this is not officially an apprenticeship, there are often opportunities to work alongside the farmers. We offer a wide diversity of tasks that allow our crew to develop and broaden their skill-set. You are allowed and encouraged to attend meetings of the EmassCRAFT network, normally every other Wednesday afternoon during the growing season.

Skills Desired: No experience necessary There is opportunity for growth within the business for a successful candidate. Qualifications: • Can lift 50lbs repeatedly, using proper body mechanics • Has a valid drivers license • Ability to complete repetitive tasks for a long period of time in all kinds of weather • Flexibility - able to shift gears and adapt to variable tasks • Takes pride in and thrives on efficiency and productivity • Takes instruction and correction well and is able to ask questions • Fast learner - Ability to quickly pick up new techniques • Is punctual and prepared (water bottle, proper attire, footwear, sunblock) • Works well alone or with a group • Has a spirit of dedication/enthusiasm • Communicates well *No extra charge for the suntan and the workout.

Meals: No

Stipend: Compensation starting at $14.25/hour based on experience and demonstrated abilityBenefits and Perks*$1/hr worked added to a gift card for you to use at White Barn Farmstand. 10% employee discount once funds on your card are used up* one WBF t-shirt, then 30% discount on all other WBF swag*paid vacation/personal time accrues at 1 hr/30 hrs worked and can be used after 90 days from your start date

Housing: No

Preferred method of Contact: email