Riverbank Farm LLC

Last Updated On: November 15th, 2024 at 08:45AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
33 River Rd
Roxbury, Connecticut, 06783

Primary Contact: Laura Mckinney
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 2036483907
    Email: riverbankfarmct@yahoo.com

Website: https://www.riverbankfarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Riverbank Farm is in its 34th year of operation. The 45-acre farm is picturesquely situated in the Shepaug River valley in northwestern Connecticut. Our farm is surrounded by land trust. From 14 acres of fertile bottomland soil, three large greenhouses, and two high tunnels, we grow a full variety of seasonal vegetables and cut flowers. We also have a commercial kitchen where we make seasonal organic vegetarian prepared foods and lacto-fermented products for our farmer's markets throughout the year. All our produce is sold at seven Connecticut farmer's markets, natural food stores and local restaurants. We also make hay and compost on our farm. Both David and Laura have a large knowledge base of all aspects of sustainable agriculture. Please visit our website where you can view our farm video entitled, "Meet the Apprentices." The video contains interviews from former apprentices and footage from the growing season. There are also other small videos that will give you a taste of our farm.

CRAFT Member Farm? Yes

Internship Starts: May 2025 (flexible)
Internship Ends: October/November (flexible)
Number of Internship Available: 3
Application Deadline: open until positions filled
Minimum Length of Stay: two months

Internship Details:

We are currently hiring for the 2025 season. Interns are given the opportunity to learn about all aspects of managing a successful market farm. These activities include plant propagation, cultivation (manual and mechanized), record keeping, harvesting, and marketing for our busy farmer’s markets. There are opportunities to learn the basics of soil fertility, greenhouse management, farming with tractors and farm mechanizations, irrigation, effective vegetable marketing. There is the opportunity for all apprentices to work in our kitchen with our chef and learn basic food preparation. Farm kitchen apprentices spend most of their time with our chef learning basic food preparation and cooking up some incredible food, and helping to manage the daily kitchen operations. We have been hosting apprentices at our farm for over twenty-seven years, training many future farmers and food lovers. Please visit our website, riverbankfarm.com and view the apprentice video to get a feel for our farm. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume.

Educational Opportunities: We have joined with other Connecticut farms to start an intern training program(CT CRAFT). Interns will visit other farms throughout the season for a farm tour and meeting with farmers and other interns. See our website, http://westernctcraft.weebly.com.

Skills Desired: We are looking for apprentices who are energetic, hardworking, who wish to develop a hands-on practical experience, and who can contribute to the team effort that is required for a successful organic farm operation. No previous farming experience is required, but interns should be ready to work hard during the busy farm season.

Meals: We provide farm produce and leftover prepared foods from our commercial kitchen. Interns cook together in their kitchen. We have a community meals on Thursday nights. Learning to cook seasonally is one of the experiences our interns enjoy and value.

Stipend: Staring wage is $17/hr. Hours range from 35-45/week.

Housing: We have two houses in town two miles from the farm where apprentices can rent a room for $400/month or they can find their own housing. Housing is within biking distance from the farm.

Preferred method of Contact: email