Farm Apprentice

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Farm Apprentice, Seasonal

Plymouth, VT

Full‑Time:
June 6 – August 13, at‑will

Supervisor:
Farm Director

The Farm Apprentice assists the Farm Director in the care of the livestock, barns, and gardens and helps produce and implement farm‑based summer camp for children ages 4 through 17. Throughout the apprenticeship, the farm apprentice will learn hands on farm‑based skills including but not limited to animal husbandry, rotational grazing practices, garden planting, maintenance, and harvest practices. Much of the learning for this apprenticeship is shaped by preparing farm spaces and implementing farm activities for youth because farm‑based education is the guiding purpose of Farm and Wilderness (F&W).

Using a beautiful wilderness and farm setting as well as innovative approaches toward teaching, organic farming, and environmental education, the farm apprentice will become a strong leader by developing deep connections to the land and community.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The Farm Apprentice assists the Farm Director in the care of the barns, gardens, animals, and all other farm concerns such as orchards, greenhouse/hoop houses, and equipment; this includes but is not limited to daily farm chores, town runs, assisting with vet visits, seasonal and weekly animal care, garden planting, cleaning, and basic equipment repairs.
• Leads campers and F&W staff safely through harvests, farm work, and farm‑related activities during the summer camp season.
• Leads youth, staff and visitors in farm work individually and co‑instructs with the farm team, conservation team, and/or summer camp program teams.
• Know and follow all the rules and guidelines of working at F&W as laid out in the F&W Standard Operating Manuals (F&W Handbook, Crew Handbook, Emergency Action Plan, etc.).

• 21+ years of age with a valid driver’s license for driving company vehicles
• Strong desire to build skills and knowledge related to farming and teaching.
• Interest in place‑based education and a desire to work with youth.
• Proactive, both in the tasks of the workday and your own education.
• Flexible, able, and willing to perform a variety of tasks in changing situations.
• Ability to act with integrity with students and staff in various settings.
• Capable of working independently.
• Openness to work with people (campers, staff, students, and visitors) from diverse backgrounds (e.g., ability, economic, racial, religious, political, geographical, gender, sexual orientation, and cultural).
• Must pass reference checks and background screenings, which include sex offender registry check.

• Undergraduate degree or working toward one ideally in education and/or farming.
• Experience working on a farm or farm‑based setting.
• Professionally mature with conflict resolution skills and problem‑solving skills.

Summer Camp Season

• Work shifts consist of 6 days on, 1 day off. Weekend days off are not guaranteed. Partial weeks are prorated to account for time worked.
• Workdays vary greatly during the summer camp season. Early shifts may run from 6AM to 4PM, with an hour off for breakfast and again er shifts may run from 8:30AM to 5:30PM with an hour off for lunch. The Farm Team rotates responsibilities and shifts consistently. Flex time is applied when farm team members work over an 8‑hour workday to maintain a 48-hour workweek.
  
  Flex time and when it is taken must be approved by a supervisor to ensure farm chore coverage.

Summer Camp Season

• Live in a three‑sided cabin with fellow farm team members and camp counselors. No electricity is available in the cabin, but staff designated spaces will provide electricity and WIFI. The farm team also has access to the farm office which has electricity and WIFI.
• Meals, coffee/tea, and laundry are provided through the summer camp systems. Meals will be taken with campers and staff. Laundry service is once a week.
• Minimal parking is available at the farm, otherwise cars will be parked in the staff…