Harbinger Farm Apprentice

Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2024 at 07:28AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
Rogue Farm Corps, Satellite Farm Location
Myrtle Creek (Umpqua Valley), Oregon, 97457

Primary Contact: Kait Crowley
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 541-588-3551
    Email: training@roguefarmcorps.org

Website: https://www.roguefarmcorps.org/host-farms/harbinger

Website: https://www.harbinger-farm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Harbinger Farm is located about 10 miles (15 minutes) outside of Myrtle Creek. Property owners, Matt and Lucie, are the sole residents, operating the farm business out of their home. The property itself is 12 acres in total with 2 acres currently in crop production. It has about an acre of cultivated space dedicated to annual row crops, the rest being a fruit tree orchard and other perennials which were planted when they bought the property in 2020. North Myrtle Creek runs through the property, leaving about 500 ft of creek frontage–the creek runs year round and is a great place to cool off in the summertime. As of 2023, the farm also began leasing a field from a neighbor down the road, increasing production space by another half acre. The farm currently raises annual vegetable, fruit and herb crops–a versatile assortment of 70+ items over the course of the growing season. Value-added products are also produced when time and quantity permits, including cottage foods, vegetable ferments and dehydrated goods. Harbinger Farm vends at two farmers markets, offers a 25-week CSA, and wholesales to a local restaurant. The only time mechanization is utilized is during bed-prep when a walk-behind tractor does some mowing, shallow tillage and bed-shaping. Otherwise weeding, cultivation and harvest is all done by hand. Field blocks are cover cropped over-winter and crop families are rotated between seasons. All transplants are started from seed in a propagation nursery on-site and a total of 6,500 sq.ft. of field tunnel space will be utilized for row crop cultivation in 2024. Matt and Lucie serve as the core farm crew. An apprentice would fill an assistant position to them in almost all necessary field tasks. A handful of volunteers and/or work traders may join for harvest days or big projects during peak season.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: April
Internship Ends: October
Number of Internship Available: 1-2 POSITIONS, 1 FULL TIME (30-40 hrs/week) or 2 PART TIME (20-30 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 satellite farm event series includes:
24 classes focused on foundational sustainable agriculture concepts, skills, and knowledge and the food system.
4-6 farm tours which showcase practical skills and individual farmers’ stories, as well as provide insight into diverse production and marketing systems. Mainly via 3 weekend intensives.
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.

APPLICATION 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. Harbinger Farm 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: An Apprentice would receive a relatively well-rounded hands-on experience, encompassing most aspects of small-scale produce farming. The bulk of their hours logged will be spent on field production-related tasks, including but not limited to seeding, planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvesting, washing/packing and taking inventory. Heavy equipment usage is limited; however, an apprentice would certainly be trained to use the BCS walk-behind tractor, if interested. Farm business management methods will be conveyed when it comes time for decision making regarding crop planning, weather and climate, seasonal production trends, market demands, etc. Being that we are operating a newly-established farm, there is much value to be gleaned from learning the progression of a small-scale farm in “real-time”. An apprentice would have the opportunity to actively engage as we grow our business, develop new systems, problem solve and overcome challenges for the first time, capturing a unique involvement that can only be enhanced by our varied previous farming experiences.

Skills Desired: -Applicants with previous farm experience preferred, but not required–as long as the desire to learn and motivation to excel is clearly present. -Outdoor physical work experience is a must–our summer daytime temps average between high 80s and low 100s. -Ability to comfortably lift and carry 50 lbs is required, accompanied by repeatedly bending, kneeling, squatting and standing throughout the day. -Adeptness at learning new skills while pertaining the ability to override previous learned experiences with newfound direction. -Exhibits attention to detail and thoughtful predictability. -Exercises strong listening, comprehension and communication skills. -Ambition to pursue a demanding lifestyle and arduous career path within an industry struggling against countless social and environmental challenges. -Appreciation for and respect of natural science and organic chemistry. -Practices a favorable attitude and a pragmatic outlook; is flexible, adaptable, open minded, down-to-earth and easy-going in nature.

Meals: Access to ample farm-produced food (seconds) to take home each week.

Stipend: $14/hour to start with opportunity for increase over the course of the season according to performance, plus access to ample farm-produced food (seconds) to take home each week.

Housing: Housing is not provided. Opportunities are available for rent in our neighborhood, Myrtle Creek and the surrounding area, including Roseburg. There is no cell service within about 5 miles of the property; however, wi-fi connectivity is available within 20ft of the private residence.

Preferred method of Contact: email / website