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Each season we hire apprentices and local folks to help run the farm. Our apprentices spend considerable time on jobs such as planting, transplanting, pe st and weed control, harvesting, packing and selling our produce at farmers markets in Washington, D.C. However, we consider our apprentices only secondarily as part of our labor force. Their primary role is assisting in management of crops, equipment and marketing. We assume the duty of training them for this management specific responsibilities are divided amongst all of us so that we can function smoothly as a team. Our goal is to help create a larger community of trained, professional, organic growers who can in turn help our sector of agriculture thrive.
We require a full-season stay (April or May to November or December) and strongly encourage a year-round stay or a 2-3 month winter break and return for additional season. We encourage long-term commitment with increasing responsibilities and compensation. Apprentices live rent and utilities free in private, one-person cabins with shared cooking facilities, or in a nearby house, which we own. We offer all-inclusive free board, along with $800/mo. minimum salary (experienced people start higher) plus incentives. Besides on-the-job training, we take time for orderly discussions and seminars on topics of interest to apprentices. Our crew normally makes several visits to other nearby farms for learning purposes.
We believe sustainability requires economic success in today’s market, and we have the systems, equipment and experience to make that happen. We are proud that we attract excellent apprentices, many of whom have gone on to farm on their own. In addition to direct retailing of our produce, we also have founded and actively participated in a successful wholesale marketing cooperative (Tuscarora Organic Growers Cooperative), which represents a community of about 20farms. Our apprentices sometimes work with the cooperative, which is headquartered at our farm.
In addition to our apprenticeships we have openings for crew leader and/or field manager. These are professional positions requiring experience and offering competitive compensation and benefits. For more information about apprentiships call us at 814-448-3904. Or email at Jim@newmorningfarm.net.
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