Sunbow Produce Apprentice

Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2024 at 07:58AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
Rogue Farm Corps, South Willamette
Corvallis (Willamette Valley), Oregon, 97333

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

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

Website: https://www.sunbowproduce.com/

Internship information

General Farm Description: We grow certified organic (OTCO) fruits, vegetables, pulses, and herbs through a customer direct e-newsletter and online store. We sell at the Philomath Farmers Market and provide weekly distribution through Linn-Benton Food Share through two channels. We practice a model of stewardship regarding soil, water and land use. Much of our field work is done by hand but we do use tractors for field prep, mowing, harrowing, tillage (spading, rototilling), spreading mulch, moving compost, and some weeding. We teach and encourage ergonomic practices to keep our bodies in good working condition. We do not employ mechanical harvesting, it’s all by hand with the exception of potatoes. Our fertility program includes deliberate rotations, cover cropping, mulching with leaves, and using minimal purchased inputs. Our farm crew consists of Yadira and Nate plus two to three part-time employees and occasional work-trade helpers who are compensated with our farm currency, Sunbacks. We have a comprehensive liability insurance policy and carry workers comp insurance. Our business is licensed in Oregon, we do not distribute out of state. We have two locations. The main one is at Sunbow Farm, a 14 acre property located on the outskirts of Corvallis and Philomath. We farm between 3-5 acres at Sunbow depending on the year. There are fields, 6 high tunnels, an orchard, a lot of wildlife habitat, a few old barns and some old crumbling out-buildings. There’s a house, a bathroom building, a market room and a pack/wash area as well as a cob structure. Four people reside here, including us. The other location is in Philomath in a residential area. It’s approximately 3 acres that are gated and fenced and is part of a larger residential plot managed by the owner. Our leased zone includes a greenhouse and access to the fields. Sunbow Farm was established in 1972, we took on management and created Sunbow Produce in 2015. We’ve both been farming between 10-12 years including some volunteer work and internships/apprenticeships. Before we became farmers, Yadira worked in a social justice/social services agency and Nate worked for the State of Washington. We came to this farm independently and met here. We’re devoted to organic and regenerative practices, and are certified by both Oregon Tilth and the Real Organic Project.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: March/April
Internship Ends: December
Number of Internship Available: 2 APPRENTICESHIPS, PART TIME (20-25 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: ● All-season growing techniques in high/low tunnels: bed prep, annual crop planting, harvesting, and maintenance of crops and infrastructure. ● Perennial crop harvesting and maintenance ● Soil conservation and water management; irrigation techniques; water catchment ● Dry farming techniques ● Wildlife conservation and coexistence; pest management in an organic operation; agro-ecological practices ● Field work: weeding with tools and by hand; harvesting; prepping beds for transplanting; transplanting, planting; clearing beds; setting up protection (low tunnels, bird netting, etc.); installing, maintaining, moving, and removing irrigation; seeding cover crops ● Highly diversified crop production, identification, and management ● Consumer-direct marketing techniques and farm stand/farmers market work Time management/efficiency/work pace ● Harvest, wash and pack skills ● Food safety standards and management ● Equipment and infrastructure maintenance ● Possible tractor operation depending on the person ● Small equipment operation (weed whacking, root washer operation, water pump problem solving) ● Seed saving

Skills Desired: Enthusiasm, eagerness, and self-respect. Curiosity, resourcefulness, and grit. Drive, desire to learn, desire to excel, attention to detail, investment in the operation (emotional, not financial), food systems interest, food, land and social justice. Excellent communication skills, good boundary setting. Applicants must be able to: Lift 50 pounds safely and regularly Follow directions Ask questions Spend extended periods of time doing repetitive work such as standing, crouching, kneeling, etc. Understand how to work safely around a tractor, within old buildings and crowded spaces. Be willing to get dirty Use equipment as directed and utilize suggestions for best ergonomic practices Respect all crew members Problem solve Avoid using violence, both physically and verbally Avoid using alcohol, drugs (including marijuana) and cigarettes during work shifts. Arrive sober, free of any intoxicants and fully functional to all assigned shifts. Arriving incapacitated in any way will not be tolerated as it could be a safety issue.

Meals: A weekly produce stipend of $30, plus additional access to produce seconds when available Occasional farm-ily meals and gatherings will be offered but are not mandatory.

Stipend: $14.20-$16/per hour to start, depending on prior experience. A weekly produce stipend of $30, plus additional access to produce seconds when available Occasional farm-ily meals and gatherings will be offered but are not mandatory. Access to personal growing space as long as there are no conflicts with time and resources (watering schedule, tool use, etc.) The farm will pay for up to $100 for local workshops per apprentice. Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a management or crew boss position with us. We provide basic equipment (tools) required for work and have loaner rain gear and rubber boots depending on shoe size.

Housing: No on-farm housing is offered, but we are more than willing to help find affordable housing within our community (with people we know and trust).

Preferred method of Contact: email / website