Many Forks Farm

Last Updated On: November 1st, 2023 at 01:44PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
1360 River Road
Clarksburg, -- , 01247

Primary Contact: Sharon Wyrrick
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 413-281-1814
    Email: manyforksfarm@pobox.com

Website: https://manyforksfarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: MANY FORKS FARM is a small, diverse, hand-scale vegetable farm using regenerative, low-till and no-till practices with innovative, bio-intensive, and sustainable approaches. We are heading into our 12th season in 2023 with our location on 20 acres along the North Branch of the Hoosic River in Clarksburg, Massachusetts. The farm's produce is available through an 85+ household CSA, a weekly farm stand, a spring seedling sale, other on-farm sales and occasional markets. We sell value-added products and baked goods from our new farm processing kitchen incorporating our vegetables and small fruits. Between 25%-30% of our CSA shares are offered at reduced cost each season through multiple community and individual donations and collaborations. We accept SNAP payments for all eligible farm products. MANY FORKS FARM is known for its consistently flavorful, and intensely beautiful produce, as well as unusual and heirloom varieties. The farm has 2 acres in vegetable, berry, flower, and herb production with intensive plantings, rotations, and succession scheduling of over 200 varieties of 40-50 different vegetables. There is a propagation greenhouse, two moveable high tunnels, and two caterpillar tunnels for protected culture. A CSA members’ cutting garden of flowers and herbs, berries for CSA u-pick and value-added processing, recent plantings of other native plants, and beehives complement the diversity of the farm’s eco-system. THE FARM is located in the North Berkshires of Massachusetts, a thriving cultural hub, especially during the summer months with music, theater, dance, museums, historical sites, restaurants, a local brewery, libraries, coffee shops, and more. There are many nearby camping and hiking trails of all lengths and difficulties - Clarksburg State Park is right around the corner, Mt. Greylock, the highest peak in Massachusetts is a short distance down the road. The farm swimming hole awaits you at lunchtime or at the end of a hard day.

CRAFT Member Farm? Yes

Internship Starts: April 15, 2023
Internship Ends: October 15, 2023
Number of Internship Available: One-Two
Application Deadline: March 10, 2023
Minimum Length of Stay: 6 months

Internship Details:

We seek someone who has worked on a farm for at least a season as an apprentice or farm crew member in vegetable production, and now wishes to further their capacities towards the possibility of running or managing a small farm operation in the future. The apprentice will participate in all aspects of the farming operation working alongside the farmer and other crew members.
TIME FRAME: The position runs from April 15 – October 15. Some flexibility with start date may be possible. Weekly schedule is Monday – Friday and half-day on Saturday. Some evening and weekend duties on a rotating basis with other staff.
SCHEDULE: We work as a team to get our work done for living food crops to thrive while maintaining a healthy work schedule allowing for adequate rest and opportunities for other activities and interests. The apprentice work week is 35-45 hours/week with 1.5 days off. The lighter weekly hours typically occur in the early and later part of the season. The workday generally begins at 7AM and ends at approximately 5PM/5:30PM, with a mid-morning break and an hour for lunch.

TO APPLY: Please email a resume that includes employment history, education, and any other experience you feel pertinent, along with contact information for three references to:
Sharon Wyrrick, farmer/owner, manyforksfarm@pobox.com

Thank you!

Educational Opportunities: The farm is a member of the CRAFT network (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) and apprentices may take advantage of CRAFT workshops throughout the season, typically on Monday afternoons, at the farms in the network. These workshops provide a well-rounded and informative perspective about a range of farms, approaches to farming, and starting your own farm. You do not have to make up these work hours missed. If you choose not to attend a scheduled CRAFT visit, the expectation is that you would remain on the farm for a regular workday. More information can be found at the CRAFT website (https://craftfarmapprentice.com). The farm library is available for your use with many current books and materials pertinent to running a small farm. Periodic farm walks with the staff provide opportunity for in-depth observation of crop and soil health, challenges, and solutions. Farm planning materials are available to you to support a whole farm picture and as a future resource. A farm apprentice is invited to request focused conversation sessions or workshops on topics of their choosing. ON FARM PARTICIPATION AND LEARNING AREAS: **Crop planning **Seeding using soil blocks and cell flats **Greenhouse monitoring & maintenance **Direct seeding & transplanting **Cultivating & weeding **Harvesting & washing & prepping produce for CSA distribution, farmstand, markets **Weed control approaches **Pest and disease ID and management **Cover crops **Soil-building & fertility **Compost-building & management **Mulching techniques **Operating a walk-behind tractor **Installing, maintaining & monitoring irrigation & electric fencing **Low-till & no-till techniques **Season extension techniques **Distribution to CSA members **Promotion and PR aspects **Community outreach & education **Business & financial planning

Skills Desired: *Have worked on a farm in vegetable production for at least a season preferred. Other or additional demonstrated interest in food and agriculture may support your application. *Comfortable with semi-rural living, a quiet setting, small staff/crew. *Willingness to comply with any guidelines for COVID-19 that may be in place at the farm and/or evolve during the course of the season. *Have the physical stamina needed and love to work outdoors all day, can lift 50 lbs., and work in all kinds of weather conditions with good humor. *Live on the farm in a lovely, furnished farmhouse. *Able to find joy in both repetitive tasks as well as more creative tasks. *Accept that pressure, urgency, and continuous feedback and improvement are a part of working on a production farm as well as plenty of wonder, awe, and curiosity. *Have your own car for transportation, a valid driver’s license, and current health insurance or will obtain Massachusetts health insurance. *No smoking of any kind on farm premises. *No pets.

Meals: Farm vegetables are available for personal use.

Stipend: The compensation is $1500 per month, plus on-farm housing, with all utilities, wireless internet, laundry facilities, farm vegetables, and workers compensation insurance, paid sick days, every third weekend off, five paid days off for personal needs or vacation.

Housing: Yes. The apprentice lives on the farm in the furnished farmhouse with private bedroom and a shared bathroom, kitchen, living areas.

Preferred method of Contact: email