The Neighborhood Farm

Last Updated On: November 1st, 2023 at 01:49PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
310 Drift Rd
Westport, Massachusetts, 02790

Primary Contact: Kate Canney
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 3392250255
    Email: theneighborhoodfarm@gmail.com

Website: https://www.theneighborhoodfarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: The Neighborhood Farm is a small, all natural vegetable farm growing on about 5 acres in Westport, MA. 2023 will be our first season growing entirely in Westport. For the last 15 years, we were farming in the greater Boston area, and for the last 2 years we were farming in both Westport and in Greater Boston. We are excited to focus our efforts on the Southcoast this season, and we have many projects underway as we reestablish the farm in Westport. We grow vegetables, herbs, and seedlings for farmers markets, our online store (our current version of a CSA program), and our on site farm stand. We grow and market our produce year round. Our mission is to grow healthy, local, all natural food, to demonstrate the practicality of intensive growing in small spaces, and to encourage, educate, and support people in growing their own food. We grow a little bit of everything, but we're best known for our many varieties of specialty garlic, heirloom tomatoes, and thousands of seedlings. We follow organic growing practices - we don’t use synthetic fertilizers, GMO seeds, herbicides, or pesticides - but we aren’t certified organic at this time. We are a caring, friendly, hard working farm. Many of our crew members return year after year, but we need a few more sets of hands this season.

CRAFT Member Farm? Yes

Internship Starts: 4/15/20 or earlier
Internship Ends: 12/20/20 or later
Number of Internship Available: 3
Application Deadline: 4/1/20
Minimum Length of Stay: Preference given to candidates who can work the full season

Internship Details:

Assistant Growers will work closely with the farm owners, and with experienced returning staff, in all aspects of vegetable and seedling production. This is likely to include: propagation, planting, trellising, mulching, basic tractor work with both walk behind and larger tractors, harvesting, washing and packing, and selling at farmers markets and the farm stand. Assistant growers should be prepared to learn and practice a wide variety of vegetable and seedling production and sales/distribution skills in a fast-paced work environment. Assistant Growers will work with the management team to plan and carry out the weekly work plan, and will take leadership roles with the farm crew on tasks such as harvest, transplanting, and weeding.

Qualifications: Some farm experience required, minimum 1 summer season on a vegetable farm (if you don’t have experience, we are also hiring for Full Time or Part Time Farm Crew). We look for look for solid listening skills, dependability, enthusiasm, flexibility, ability to change direction easily when conditions require, and a willingness to work hard. Working on a farm has many rewards, but has its challenges too, and we look for people with a positive attitude, who enjoy being part of a team, and who can remain upbeat even when it’s hot. Candidates will need to perform repetitive physical tasks, work outside in varied weather conditions, and work quickly and carefully. Candidates must have local housing (there is no housing on this land) and reliable transportation (we are not accessible by public transportation.)

Preference is given to candidates able to work the full season from spring through late December. Year round work may be available for those interested.

 

Compensation starts at $17/hour and is based on experience level and commitment for the season. All staff also get lots of vegetables and seedlings from the farm.

To apply: email Kate at theneighborhoodfarm@gmail.com for an application.

Educational Opportunities: We are more than happy to answer questions and work with our assistant growers to help them get the experiences they are looking for. Many of our crew members attend local Young Farmer meetings or CRAFT meetings to tour local farms and learn about a wide array of farming topics. We have an extensive library of farming books and magazines that crew members are welcome to borrow.

Skills Desired: We ask for Assistant Growers to have a season of experience on a vegetable farm, but if you do not have experience, we would be happy to talk to you about other options to join the farm crew. We often have first time farmers on the crew!

Meals: no

Stipend: We offer an hourly wage plus vegetables and plants from the farm.

Housing: no

Preferred method of Contact: email