Lowdown Farm
Last Updated On: January 25th, 2024 at 09:22AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:55497 West Rd.
Moiese, Montana, 59824
Primary Contact: Ian Barry
Secondary Contact: Caitlin Thompson
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: 406-382-9259
Email: lowdownfarm.mt@gmail.com
Secondary Phone
Type: -----
Number: 713-851-2535
Email:
Website: https://www.instagram.com/lowdownfarm/
Website: https://www.facebook.com/LowdownFarmMoieseMT/
Internship information
General Farm Description: We are a Certified Organic farm located in the beautiful Moiese Valley. We currently grow a variety of vegetables and herbs for wholesale markets, as well as for a multi-farm CSA operated by the Western MT Grower's Co-op. We also grow a large seed garlic crop that is marketed through a retail seed company. We have a greenhouse for starting seeds in spring, 3 large heated hoop houses primarily used for growing tomatoes and basil, and other herbs, and 3 unheated hoop houses used for general season extension purposes. We also grow anywhere from 6-10 acres of field crops(depending on the season) which include cabbage, onions, shallots, sweet corn, kale, chard, parsley, snap peas, and brussels sprouts. We also have a large garden for home/intern use in which we grow many other vegetables, as well as assorted fruit trees and berries, and a small flock of layer hens. In addition we have 25 acres of pasture that we lease out for cattle grazing. We have 4 tractors, including a new-to-us cultivating tractor, and various farm implements that we (and interns) use whenever applicable. We are one of the few vegetable farms in MT to irrigate with a pivot, which saves us tons of time, energy, and water. The Moiese Valley is an incredibly beautiful agricultural valley located about an hour north of Missoula, Montana. Our 40-acre farm offers breathtaking views of the Mission Mountains to the east and is only a half-mile walk from the gorgeous Flathead River; perfect for swimming, floating, and fishing. The Mission Mountains are a half-hour drive to the east and offer endless opportunities for hiking and exploring. We are also only about 45 minutes south of Flathead Lake, and a few hours drive from Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. While this is an immensely beautiful and very diverse area, with much to see and do, we like to stress the relatively remote nature of our location. The nearest town of any size is a 15-minute drive away. We do provide wi-fi for our interns, but cell phone reception can be spotty here, depending on your service provider, although texting is usually possible. In short, interns should expect to adjust to a slower, rural, pace of life.CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: May 1st, or April 15th
Internship Ends: October 31st
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: March 1st, 2021
Minimum Length of Stay: Full Season (6 months)
Internship Details:
Work primarily involves helping with the seeding, planting, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, cleaning, and packing of produce for wholesale and the CSA and seed crops. Although other farm tasks such as moving (limited) irrigation pipe, driving tractors and other equipment, moving pasture fencing (we lease our pasture out to a neighbor’s beef cattle herd), and various miscellaneous farm projects, including minor carpentry and mechanical jobs, will also be included. It’s important that interns be able to both take direction and be self-motivated as well as work happily both as part of a team and independently. We have two wonderful farm managers, Ian and Caitlin, to help manage our farm and business. Interns will be working with them, with the other intern(s), and independently at least some of the time. We ask interns to work an average of 40 hours a week. Our work schedule tends to vary a bit throughout the season, but we like to work 4 x 10 hour days Monday – Thursday when possible. During heavy harvest periods work may (temporarily) shift to some Friday mornings and/or Sunday evenings. During the 2 week garlic harvest, we require interns to put in extra hours as needed. We take an hour break for lunch every day and weekends are free. Each intern is given 5 consecutive days of paid vacation time, with the stipulation that crew vacations must not overlap. We ask that successful applicants be fully prepared to commit to the entire growing season. If you think you’d be interested in coming to work and learn organic farming skills in an incredibly beautiful part of the world, we’d love to hear from you, please email us with a cover letter and resume with references attached and we will respond as soon as possible.
Educational Opportunities: In addition to learning how to run a successful, profitable, small organic family farm, we encourage interns to attend the CFAC field days that occur monthly throughout the growing season. Each season we spend time with interns going over our farm's financial records so that they get a basic grasp of the book and record keeping required to run a successful small farm. All that said, we believe the most valuable learning experience we have to offer lies in simply doing all the various day-to-day farmwork and learning how that changes over the arc of the season.
Skills Desired: While some farm experience is desirable, it is not necessary—we can teach all the skills needed for the internship, much more important to us is that interns have a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, be able to take direction well, and to work well with others as well as independently. Farming is very physical work, so interns should expect to be able to keep moving for much of the work day, to work in all weathers, and to be able to lift up to 50lbs. over their waists. Interns must be willing to work outdoors in all weathers— it seldom rains in our corner of MT, but it can get very hot, windy, smoky (from forest fires), and frosty on occasion. Some degree of physical discomfort while working outdoors should occasionally be both expected and acceptable. A passion for sustainable agriculture and/or local food systems, as well an appreciation for working outdoors, and being part of a team are all plusses.
Meals: We provide farm produce for meals, but interns do their own cooking with the exception of semi-regular potluck lunch shared by the whole farm.
Stipend: Yes, we offer a $2,000/month stipend. Free room and board, wi-fi, utilities and farm produce are also provided. Each intern gets a one week paid vacation and a bonus is offered to interns that meet/exceed expectations and fulfill their season-long commitment. There is also the possibility of advancement to a position of greater responsibility after successfully completing a season's internship with us.
Housing: Housing is a shared new 2-bedroom, 1 bath, house with a full kitchen, a small shared living area, and a washing machine. We also have a small (14ft. diameter), but quaint, yurt with electricity and a wood stove. Anyone electing to live in the yurt shares the kitchen, bathroom, and washing machine in the house. If interns smoke, we ask that they do it outdoors. Pets are negotiable, but they absolutely must be kid and livestock-friendly, no exceptions.
Preferred method of Contact: email