Ploughshare Farm

Last Updated On: November 1st, 2023 at 01:01PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
45865 Schoolhouse Lane
Charlo, Montana, 59824

Primary Contact: Cale Nittinger
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: (406) 544-3508
    Email: notcale@gmail.com

Website:

Internship information

General Farm Description: Ploughshare Farm is in the Mission valley an hour north of Missoula MT. Our part of the valley is mostly ranch and farm land. We grow mixed vegetables for a local Farmer's market , a collective CSA, and wholesale through our local grower's cooperative. There is about 6 acres in produce and a few more in alfalfa. We established here in 2007 and have three generations living on the farm. We work hard in the summer, but try to find time to enjoy the Flathead river just down the street and the Mission Mountains and other local recreation opportunities. I think the greatest benefits of taking an internship here are the opportunity to learn produce production from experienced farmers, to experience life on a rural family farm, and have access to amazing outdoor recreation areas.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: June 1
Internship Ends: halloweenish
Number of Internship Available: 2 positions
Application Deadline: February 15
Minimum Length of Stay: 4 months

Internship Details:

I’m considering 2-4 9 hour work days per week depending on my needs and your needs -so flexible. sometimes a bit more or less depending on the work load. tasks will include plenty of weeding and harvesting with some opportunities to get involved with planting, tractor work, haying, and other farm chores. The position will most likely include working many Friday farmer’s markets. workers should be able to spend extended periods doing field work some of which is stoop labor. Ability to lift 50 lb above your waste is also necessary. Farm work can be hard physical labor, but we always try to vary the work we are doing in the course of the day and consider each individual’s needs for health and happiness. I am looking for 1 person with some farmer’s market experience to manage the growing and selling at our local farmer’s market. this would be a good opportunity for someone who is ready to market farm on their own to step into an established market. The pay for this position would be based on a profit share . One worker filled this role for me the last 2 years and it worked out quite well.

Educational Opportunities: crop planning, planting techniques, field preparation, tractor and hand cultivation, irrigation, harvest and handling produce, haying, greenhouse work, maintenance and fixing broken stuff are all daily activities throughout the season. Priority will always be placed on the most immediate needs but I try to involve workers in any aspects they are interested in whenever feasible. Also, in the past there have been field trips and workshops at other farms offered by a local non-profit. I'm not sure if that will happen or not this year.

Skills Desired: having experience doing any kind of physical labor is important. Past farm experience is appreciated but not necessary

Meals: I do not provide meals but farm veggies are almost always fair game.

Stipend: $ 75 plus up to $20 worth of veggies per day. More negotiable for the market manager position

Housing: Yes there is a small private bedroom which is a sort of tree house above the kitchen and another room close by. The kitchen and bathroom are shared with the other intern. Laundry is available in the main house.

Preferred method of Contact: email/text