Willow Creek Farm Preserve

Last Updated On: noviembre 15th, 2021 at 10:18AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
3215 Stump Hall Road
Collegeville, Pennsylvania, 19426

Primary Contact: Melissa Smith
Primary Phone:
    Type: Office
    Number: 610-584-1028
    Email: info@willowcreekfarmpreserve.org

Website: https://www.willowcreekfarmpreserve.org

Internship information

General Farm Description: ABOUT US: Willow Creek Farm Preserve (WCFP) is a 135-acre regenerative transitional organic family farm located in central Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. We grow 10-acres of u-pick perennial fruit and offer a community volunteer-based, one-acre raised bed vegetable Seed to Share Garden™ where 100% of the vegetables grown are donated to local food pantries. In addition, we specialize in raising Shetland Sheep for wool, offer farm classes, field trips & tours, and operate our Learning Barn Farm Shoppe & Studio where we feature our fiber & fiber arts. We also grow hay, straw and have 20+ acres of pasture for our rotational grazing system for our sheep. For more information visit: www.willowcreekfarmpreserve.org

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: SPRING: March 1, 2022/ SUMMER: May 15, 2022/ FALL: August 30, 2022
Internship Ends: SPRING: May 14, 2022/ SUMMER: August 15-29, 2022/ FALL: November 15-30, 2022
Number of Internship Available: 3-6 depending on the segment of the season
Application Deadline: January 1st, 2022
Minimum Length of Stay: 12 weeks

Internship Details:

WILLOW CREEK FARM PRESERVE – SEASONAL INTERNSHIPS 2022
A Montgomery County Education, Fiber & Fruit Farm

[SPRING]: March – Mid-May | [SUMMER]: Mid-May – August | [FALL]: Late August – November 2022
(*Qualified candidates may be considered for 2 consecutive segments of the season)
The Seasonal Internship Program at WCFP is a hands-on work-learning program focusing on small-scale regenerative organic farming and farm-based education, with an emphasis on the dynamic connections between food, fiber and the environment.

RELATIONSHIPS: Reports to Education & Community Manager and Assistant Farm Operations Manager.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
• Interns work alongside WCFP leaders on our 135-acre farm in the fields, raised bed gardens, pastures, shoppe and studio. Daily activities range from weeding, mulching, raised garden bed care and vegetable harvesting, mowing, plant and property care, wool processing, pruning, trellising, animal care, pasture setup and breakdown, and opportunities to lead co-workers, garden volunteers, farm visitors and u-pick customers.
• The Internship Program highlights the following topics: Introduction to Basics of Regenerative Organic Farming, Considerations of Farm-Based Education, Introduction to Fruit Production, Considerations for Raising Sheep, Wool Processing Fundamentals and Raised Bed Vegetable Production in our Seed to Share Garden™.
• The Interns will be trained and support/lead WCFP Educational programming for diverse audiences on a range of farm-based education topics as available.
• Interns participate in at least one off-farm tour or off-farm speaker experience. These occur within the region during each of the Spring, Summer & Fall Internship timeframes with organizations such as the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) overseen by Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA).

POSITION TYPE/COMPENSATION:
• Tuesday – Saturday, 8am – 3pm; (approximately 30 hours/week); rotating Sunday duties.
• Candidates may complete this internship for college credit.
• $11/hour paid bi-weekly; Deduct $60/week if electing on-site housing at our renovated farmhouse.
• Veggies from staff garden as available.

Educational Opportunities: Interns are provided our WCFP Supplemental Learning Series e-mail lessons on a weekly basis for self-study. Interns also participate in at least one off-farm tour or off-farm speaker experience. These occur within the region during each of the Spring, Summer & Fall Internship timeframes with organizations such as the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) overseen by Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA).

Skills Desired: QUALIFICATIONS: • Genuine interest in Regenerative organic farming and strong physical and mental work ethic. • Responsible and internally motivated to learn and improve one’s skillset and knowledgebase. • Demonstrated ability to collaborate and work well with others, including co-workers and the public. • Prior agricultural experience is not required, although any work or study in the field of food or agriculture is a desirable attribute of Internship applicants. • Experience with education recommended and experience in fiber arts a plus (interest in both a must). • Must be 18+ years of age, pass a Background Check and have a Valid Driver’s License (1+ year driving experience preferred). PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: • Lift/move up to 50lbs, unassisted. • Carry, bend, kneel and stand for long periods and work outdoors in all weather conditions.

Meals: No meals are provided; however, veggies from the staff garden are provided as available.

Stipend: $11/hour paid bi-weekly (guaranteed 30 hours/week).

Housing: Housing is available at our on-site renovated farmhouse; Deduct $60/week if electing on-site housing. (*Living on-site in the farmhouse is not required).

Preferred method of Contact: Email