Rainshine Family Farm

Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2024 at 07:59AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
Rogue Farm Corps, South Willamette
Outside of Philomath (Willamette Valley), Oregon, 97370

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

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

Website: https://www.rainshinefamilyfarm.com/

Internship information

General Farm Description: Rainshine is owned and operated by Elias and Rachel. We have farmed for 15 years, and have been certified organic through Oregon Tilth for the past four. We generally grow 4-6 acres of diversified row crops with emphasis on root crops and greens, and also manage 6 acres of apples and a 30 head flock of meat sheep. Our veggies and fruit are marketed through our 100-150 member CSA, to local restaurants, at the Corvallis Saturday market, and Willamette Valley grocery stores. Most work is done by hand (i.e. harvest, planting, transplanting, weed control) but we do have some small scale labor saving tools (mulch layer, potato digger, rototillers, manure spreader, etc). We incorporate 1-2 acres of summer cropped areas, and pulse grazing our sheep throughout different cropping areas during the growing season and off seasons. At our current production level, 6-7 full time employees are required for the farm. We live 17 miles outside of Corvallis in the foothills of the Coast range. We’re quite rural with a car being essential for transportation to town, and just about anywhere. There are several other people living on the property, some are working on the farm and would be working with potential apprentices. Our property is 102 acres, with an additional 100+ acres in community trust that can be enjoyed for recreation. We have river frontage and plenty of space to camp for additional recreation.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: early April
Internship Ends: mid November
Number of Internship Available: 1 APPRENTICESHIP, FULL TIME (32-40 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 the food system.
7-10 farm tours which showcase practical skills and individual farmers’ stories and 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 farmworkers/farmers.

For more information on these events, please visit our event series page and sample schedule.

APPLICATIONS
Apprenticeship applications are accepted on the Rogue Farm Corps website until positions are filled (usually by early-mid March), but early applications are considered first. Positions are beginning to fill, please apply ASAP if you’re interested! Host Farms decide which applicants to interview and offer placements to. Applicants must be 18 years or older and have authorization to work in the U.S.

Educational Opportunities: Apprentices will work alongside other employees. Both head farmers work hands-on 3-6 days a week with staff. All aspects of small scale farming will be covered such as sowing, transplanting, irrigating, soil prep, minor construction, marketing (farmer’s market help), weed management, harvest, post-harvest handling, etc. Apprentices' own interests will help determine which areas to focus on. Along with most other employees, a first year Apprentice will spend the majority of the season planting, weeding, harvesting, and washing/packing. We expect applicants to work 7-9 hours per day (depending on the time of year), and 32-40+ hours per week. Regular, moderate lifting is expected. Applicants with prior chronic injuries should consider not applying for this job, as regularly being unable to participate in the work week is a major challenge for the small farm. We generally give one week off to employees in the summer season, but also schedule random days off for morale boosting. Every day on the farm allows for a lot of one on one time with the farmers. We’ll also have at least 2 returning employees, each with 2+ years’ experience on our farm. In the past, we’ve offered individual farm plots of employee experimentation, as well as tailoring skill learning with the interests of each individual as best as we can.

Skills Desired: We need applicants to be open minded and ready to work. Previous experience is usually a good thing, but not always. Having a lot of energy, good stamina, and a positive attitude make for FUN days.

Meals: All the farm fresh food you can eat.

Stipend: $15/hr starting wage

Housing: No on-farm housing is offered. Generally the closest housing is located in Philomath or Corvallis.

Preferred method of Contact: email / website