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Calypso Farm and Ecology Center

Fairbanks, Alaska

	MESA Notes – Public
	Website :	http://www.calypsofarm.org/farmertrainingprogram/
	Blog, Online Newsletter, etc. :
	Public Contact Information:	[email protected]

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About the Placement:

Detailed Placement Description

Calypso’s Farmer Training Program is an intensive experiential education program focused on providing the skills,
inspiration and experience necessary for participants to embark on starting their own small farm with confidence. A
small group (3-8 people) of aspiring farmers participate in the program each year — allowing for a high level of
personalized attention.
Participants learn how to become self-reliant farmers through immersion in all farm operations: caring for greenhouse
transplants, preparing the field for planting, planting, seeding, harvesting, caring for farm animals, operating a CSA,
running a farm stand, selling to local restaurants, working in natural alignment to prevent injury and more. Additionally,
participants are introduced to a variety of topics related to becoming a self-sufficient farmer, including: mechanics,
construction, graphic design, carving, wool processing, hand and machine sewing, and whole-farm planning. We are
proud to include creative arts in our Farmer Training Program and believe that exploring creativity can be a key to
growing confident and resilient farmers!
Calypso’s unique setting also provides exposure to and experience with farm-based environmental education, organizing
and running community events and a wide range of practical homesteading
skills (building, cooking, baking in a wood-fired oven, fiber arts, metalsmithing, woodworking, wild crafting, food preservation and more!)
Additionally, participants learn first-hand about the operation of a nonprofit, educational farm.

Primary Production :

Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Sheep, Bees/Honey, Dairy

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About the Internship

Training Hours:

approx 40

Training Expectations :

Training is full time from May through September, M-F with occasional weekends 8:30-5:30 each day with a 1 hour lunch break (lunch provided). Stewards are provided with supervision throughout the program. There are three primary instructors, with an additional 30 guest instructors throughout the season. All training is hands-on and instruction based. There is approximately 3 hours/day of mentored farm work (harvest, field prep, etc). Stewards also have the option of sharing what they’ve learned with other beginning farmers, with the public and/or with visiting school children.

On-Site Training, Steward’s primary activities :

This is a full time training program with a large variety of topics taught throughout the season. The program takes place Monday through Friday from 8:30-5:30. Stewards are expected to participate in all educational topics each day. Whole Farm Planning sessions and vegetable production activities take place regularly. A large variety of topics are covered throughout season.

Climate and Location Description

The weather can be cold in May and September. June-August is usually nice, sunny and not too cold. It can be rainy in August. There is no access to public transportation, but Stewards have basic necessities on the farm.

Compensation :

simple, summer sleeping cabin, a shared kitchen and dining area and a shared study area, Free, daily food, access to a resource library, craft supplies, tools, etc

Accommodations and amenities provided :

Housing is simple and rustic personal sleeping area, shared kitchen space with wood heat, stove and oven. There is also a heated shared area for reading, relaxing, etc. Internet is available but quality is not great. There is also access to an extensive reading library, tools and art supplies.

Preferred start date :

May 4th

Preferred length of internship :

5 months – through end of September

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