Wild Hope Farm

Last Updated On: December 18th, 2023 at 09:34AM MST

Contact information
Farm Address:
575 Wild Hope Farm Rd
Chester, South Carolina, 29706

Primary Contact: Katherine Belk
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 7047701531
    Email: katherine@wildhopefarm.com

Website: https://wildhopefarm.com

Internship information
General Farm Description: Wild Hope Farm is a certified organic farm in Chester, SC, specializing in vegetable and flower production. The 220 acre property consists of 12 acres in cultivation, greenhouses, walking trails, a 10-acre pond, and diversified natural areas. Our produce is sold through a 300-400 person CSA farm share, to local food hubs and chefs, and at two farmers markets in the greater Charlotte area (Uptown and Matthews Farmers Markets). We also host complementary on-farm events including retreats, farm-to-table dinners, and educational workshops to cultivate community and encourage people to learn about our farming practices. We are seeking people with a passion for diversified organic vegetable production. All farm employees are integral members of our 10-15 member team at Wild Hope Farm. Over the course of the season, you will be exposed to all aspects of our farm and deepen your knowledge of our regenerative organic farming methods including: CSA planning, produce harvest and post-harvest techniques, transplanting, cultivation, cover cropping, flower production, soil health improvement strategies, customer interfacing and small farm marketing. During your time here, you will work directly with our Farm Manager, Ben Dubard and Harvest Manager, Sarah Hinson.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 03/01/2024
Internship Ends: 11/25/2024
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: 3/28/2024
Minimum Length of Stay: 8-9 months

Internship Details:

THE WORK SCHEDULE: Year round starting March

The work at Wild Hope Farm is seasonal and the length of the workday varies within the busy season. Crew members  work 40-45 hrs over a 5 day work week. The pay for agricultural work at Wild Hope Farm is exempt from overtime pay.  

  • Working 4 days Monday – Friday, & Saturdays 5:30 am – 2pm
  • Our normal hours are 6:00 AM – 2:45 PM during peak summer, 7:00 AM – 3:45 in the early spring/fall (includes a 45 min lunch break) 
  • Sundays are always off and we will alternate the day off during the week to make sure every few weeks you get 2 consecutive days off 

FARM RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Crew members will mainly participate in harvest, wash and pack for CSA and markets throughout the season
  • Additional crew tasks will include transplanting, hoeing, hand weeding, greenhouse seeding, bin washing, trellising and flower harvesting
  • Other activities could include weed whacking, mowing, basic drip irrigation setup and removal, sheet mulching and various farm or property maintenance tasks
  • Crew members are expected to maintain focus and mental engagement in the task at hand 

MARKET RESPONSIBILITIES

With an expanding CSA program and busy market booth, the farmers markets are significant sales channels for the farm. The farmers market crew member is responsible for all aspects of running our booth at the farmers market booth late April through November. 

  • Assist in planning, preparing and packing for the Farmers Market on Fridays
  • Driving the truck and trailer or cargo van to Market every Saturday
  • Set-up and break-down of the market booth on Saturday 
  • Record keeping of market sales using the Square App
  • Ability (and confidence) to learn how to drive a truck and refrigerated trailer
  • Saturday market recap emails

Educational Opportunities: Our seasonal farming opportunity is a hands-on working and learning experience. We accept people from all backgrounds who want to explore agriculture as a career option. Orientation: During the first week we will conduct an orientation to go over safety policies, farm policies, and the location and names of buildings and equipment. We will review the farm calendar, begin to set vacation times, go over job responsibilities and start figuring out how to live in a community together. Daily Meetings: The farm crew convenes every morning to clarify the day's agenda and make alterations due to the weather and other events. All crew members have access to the drive where we store our digital planning documents. These materials include crop plans, seed orders, planting schedules, maps, overall farm plans, and supporting information. Farm managers might not have time during the peak season for in depth teaching so crew members are encouraged to use the resources at hand and ask follow up questions as needed. In addition there is a small farm library from which crew members are welcome to borrow books.

Skills Desired: Previous experience working on a farm is a plus!

Meals: No

Stipend: $15/hr, 5 days paid vacation, 5 paid sick days, 2 personal days, $30-50 in vegetables and eggs each week

Housing: Yes - we have subsidized housing options available if interested

Preferred method of Contact: katherine@wildhopefarm.com

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