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Flying Plow Farm

Rising Sun, Maryland
MESA Notes – Public
Website :
http://flyingplow.com
Blog, Online Newsletter, etc. :
Public Contact Information:
[email protected]
 

About the Placement:

Detailed Placement Description

Our farm utilizes a bio-extensive method of growing vegetables. This means we grow cover crops for a full season between vegetables in any given field. This system reduces the number of weeds in our produce and improves the soil organic matter and biology between cropping years.

In a season we grow about 7 acres of vegetables and 7 acres of cover crops, however our farm is 56 acres in all. The other acreage is in pasture and hay fields for our horses and cattle. Our laying chickens and broiler chickens also graze on our pastures. We grow many different types and varieties of vegetables using organic and sustainable methods. Our produce is sold through our CSA, farm store, and at our 3 farmers markets.

Our farm has opportunities to learn about sustainable vegetable production as well as pastured meat production. We have about 15 to 20 grassfed cattle on our farm during the season. We raise about 1000 meat chickens and 200 laying hens per year. All of theses animals are rotationally grazed on our farm. We also cut hay from pastures and make straw from some of our cover crops.

Housing for our stewards is in a modern apartment on a neighboring farm. The housing includes access to a large pond, pool, and hiking trails in the woods.

The farm is located in driving distances from several major US cities available for day trips such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, and Washington DC. We are also very close to several state parks.

Primary Production :

Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Berries, Cattle, Pork, Poultry, Draft horses


About the Internship

Training Hours:

A 9 month stay would average out to 40 hours per week, a 6 month stay would average to 50 hours per week.

Training Expectations :

During the main season we work Monday through Saturday morning, about 50 hour per week. During the ends of the season our schedule eases a bit to 30 hours a week with shorter days.

Stewards would work with the farmer and the assistant farmer for most tasks. Once trust is established, more responsibility is given to the steward with an expectation of them to work with more autonomy.

On-Site Training, Steward’s primary activities :

Main training would be in the production, harvest and distribution/sales of organic vegetables. Early season work would involve more seeding, transplanting, mulching, trellising, etc of vegetable crops. Later season work involve more harvest work. Many jobs are done by hand but we do utilize equipment for transplanting and harvesting of some crops.

If there is a demonstrated interest in learning to operate tractor or horse driven equipment then the steward can learn that as well.

Opportunities to attend our farmers markets are available for interested stewards as well.

Minor duties include much of our livestock work, such as feeding and caring for our laying hens and broiler chickens, washing and packing eggs, feeding and caring for our draft horses, managing the grazing activity of our beef cattle.

Climate and Location Description

Our farm is in a rural setting but we are 1 mile from the center of town where there is a large grocery store, several banks, and restaurants.

Compensation :

700/month, A modern, furnished apartment on neighbor’s farm, walking distance from our farm. Pond, pool, woods., Free produce from the farm and a $75 allowance for meet and eggs.

Accommodations and amenities provided :

Housing is provided in a modern, furnished apartment on our neighbor’s farm. It is a very short walk to our farm from the apartment. WiFi is available on the farm and if licensed, stewards can use a farm vehicle for local travel.

Preferred start date :

Mar-May

Preferred length of internship :

6-9 months