2 Pony Produce Apprentice

Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2024 at 07:46AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
Rogue Farm Corps, South Willamette Chapter
Lebanon, Oregon, 97355

Primary Contact: Kait Crowley
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 541-588-3550
    Email: training@roguefarmcorps.org

Website: https://www.roguefarmcorps.org/host-farms/2ponyproduce

Website: http://2ponyproduceco.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Eric and Laura Pond own and operate 2 Pony Produce Co. We have 10 acres east of Lebanon, OR along the south Santiam river. We farm 2.5 acres of this. We are a family of four, two dogs, 4 cats and a horse. We grow a wide range of vegetables including a small patch of asparagus, berries including blueberries, raspberry, blackberries, strawberries, table grapes, herbs and flowers for the food bank in our area and a couple of regular CSA members. We farm organically but are not certified yet. We use a 100’ permanent bed system, drip irrigation, overhead irrigation and try to minimally till, we have a BCS walk-behind tractor with a full range of attachments and a small 35 hp tractor. We cover crop and use silage tarps to help manage weeds and build soils. 4 cold tunnels are used for season extension. Eric has been farming for 33 seasons and Laura for 26 of those, from large operations of 7500 acres in berries and hazelnuts to our 2.5 acre small farm project. We started our farm in 2017 as a way to give back to our community good produce that is always available. We value good food and feeding those around us. Our goal is to continue to work on efficiency in our farming system and build out a year-round program so we can provide more opportunities for others to have a meaningful career in farming. Eric also currently manages approximately 1500 acres of blueberries, hazelnuts and cranberries in Oregon (separately from 2 Pony Produce Co). Because we are a small farm, the applicant would be included in all aspects of farming and would have opportunity to learn, seeding, planting, weeding, cultivation, limited equipment operation, irrigation, pest and disease mitigation and control, harvesting, packing delivery, small farm food safety, and some interaction with clients. More specifically, applicants will learn the seeding/planting, production, harvest and packing of organic vegetables, berries, grapes and herbs.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: mid-April
Internship Ends: mid-October
Number of Internship Available: 1 position, full time (30-40 hrs/week)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis until positions are filled by early-mid March
Minimum Length of Stay: 500 training hours (~3-4 months minimum)

Internship Details:

An Apprenticeship is part of Rogue Farm Corps’ beginning farmer training program. Hands-on field training at the Host Farm is complemented by a series of classes, farm tours, discussions, and networking events organized by Rogue Farm Corps.

EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
Apprentices join other beginning farmers for an Educational Event Series facilitated by Rogue Farm Corps.
The full event series includes:
24 classes focused on foundational sustainable agriculture concepts, skills, and knowledge and the food system.
7-10 farm tours which showcase practical skills and individual farmers’ stories, as well as provide insight into diverse production and marketing systems.
3-5 discussion circles with topics including Food Justice / Food Sovereignty, and Next Steps for Beginning Farmers.

RFC strives to make all educational events inclusive and welcoming to people from all backgrounds and identities. Classes, tours, and discussions are led by Rogue Farm Corps staff, agricultural professionals, and expert farmers. Scholarships are available.

AAPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Apprenticeship applications are accepted on the Rogue Farm Corps website on a rolling basis until positions are filled (usually by early-mid March), but early applications are considered first. Approved applications are passed onto the host farmer. 2 Pony Produce will decide which applicants to interview and offer placements to.

Rogue Farm Corps seeks to train an inclusive next generation of farmers and encourages applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply.
Applications. https://www.roguefarmcorps.org/apprenticeship

Educational Opportunities: Our season begins in mid-April and ends in mid-October, we are expecting 30-40 hours a week, we are somewhat flexible. We would like this position to potentially water and feed animals a couple of weekends a month (paid) we can potentially be flexible with non-paid time off during the season. We work, Monday-Friday, generally starting at 7. The job is farming, and the applicant needs to be able to lift 30-50lbs. Farm owners are on the farm providing instruction, mentoring, and coaching approximately 20 hours per week and are available by phone should there be questions. Additional farm staff are onsite and can answer questions and provide guidance. Training provided is through hands on learning working closely with the owners in every task on the farm until applicant can perform them well, then moving to independent work and oversight by the owners. Daily morning and end of day check-ins are routine, farm walks and task list making and harvest scheduling, irrigation schedules and planting plan updates.

Skills Desired: We are looking for someone with some experience who wants to learn more, is excited to be outside and is interested in farming as a career/lifestyle. We are looking for attention to detail, thoughtful and kind. No smoking. In-person interview or video interview session required.

Meals: Free vegetables and berries as they are available from the farm.

Stipend: The applicant will be paid minimum wage up to $15.00 per hour depending on experience.

Housing: No housing is provided. We are located 10 min east of the town of Lebanon and 35 min east of Corvallis. There are apartments for rent in the Lebanon area.

Preferred method of Contact: email / website