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Caretaker Farm

Williamstown, Massachusetts

	MESA Notes – Public
	Website :	http://www.caretakerfarm.org
	Blog, Online Newsletter, etc. :	https://www.instagram.com/caretakerfarm/
	Public Contact Information:	[email protected]

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About the Placement:

Detailed Placement Description

This placement is owned and operated by a family.
Production Acreage : #7
Number of Full-time Employees: 5
Number and Type of livestock: 100 chickens and 4 pigs.
My farm/organization is : Pesticide Free, We do not spray anything even if it is allowed under the USDA organic certification program. We also do not use any chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or insecticides.
I am an active member of NOFA- Massachusetts.
Educational Activities : We share all of our farm planning materials developed over the winter, provide weekly farm tours for apprentices, share literary resources that support out work, distribute weekly farm management information, teach fall workshops specific to the interests of the apprentices, facilitate monthly feedback sessions on both field work and community life, and provide support as apprentices develop the dreams of their farming future.
We participate in CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training), a seminar and farm visitation program for the apprentices from Caretaker and eleven other farms in the region. The objective of CRAFT is to enable the apprentices to study the diversity of farm design and agricultural technique found within the 12 collaborating farms and to form long-term friendships and a supportive community with their peers.
Social Environment:
Caretaker Farm is a family farm. My wife helps out with some of the administrative and educational work with our farm members. She also home schools our two children. Gabriela, age 15, loves to help out in the distributions area. Micah, age 12, is often tagging along with the crew as we move through the fields working during the day.
Farm members are allowed to visit the farm any day but Sunday. So, we see them on the land almost every day.
The farm is a communal space in which apprentices live together in cabins, eat together in an apprentice kitchen and we work together.

Primary Production :

Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Berries, Poultry

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About the Internship

Training Hours:

45-55 hours / week

Training Expectations :

Our farm prefers the steward who has had hands-on production experience with our primary crops.
We seek stewards who are self motivated; take initiative; are reliable, responsible, and professional; work well with others and individually; have a good sense of humor; appreciate high quality work/products; are excited about living in community with others; possess a deep respect for others and the land; work hard; and are able to lift 55 lbs.
We work Monday-Friday and 1/2 day on Saturday. Once every 4 weeks, each person is responsible for weekend chores that entail greenhouse and animal chores during Saturday afternoon and Sunday. Please visit our website at www.caretakerfarm.org to learn more about our training program.

On-Site Training, Steward’s primary activities :

35 different types(over 150 varieties) of vegetables and fruits all sold through a 270 family CSA program. All shares are picked up on site.

Climate and Location Description

Average temperature/Typical weather: Northeast Weather. Cold in early April and late October, mild summers with highs in mid 80’s and lows in the 50’s/60’s.
Proximity to nearest town/city: 7 miles from Williamstown (about 10,000 people)
Geographic Location:
The farm is located in the northwest corner of Massachusetts. Nestled in a picturesque valley, Caretaker Farm covers 34 acres of forest land, meadow, pasture, vegetable fields, two ponds, and is bisected by a meandering stream.
Williamstown, 7 miles away, is a beautiful small college town with restaurants, an independent cinema, co-op market, coffee shop and other various businesses.
The are also numerous hiking and biking opportunities in the area.

Compensation :

$810/ month, Heated Cabin, Eggs, farm vegetables (in season only) , Health insurance

Accommodations and amenities provided :

Amenities : Free Internet, Laundry Facilities, Heated Cabins, Kitchen, Agricultural Library, Apprentice Lounge with Heat

Preferred start date :

April 1st

Preferred length of internship :

7 Months: April 1st to October 31st

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