[Sust-mar] Internship on organic farm, f/t, Nova Scotia

Tue Jan 24 16:55:08 EST 2012

[from Canada's Green Job Site, http://GoodWorkCanada.ca ]

INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Positions: Organic Farming Internship
Type: full-time internship with housing, meals, stipend, more (see below)
Organization: Four Seasons Farm http://www.fourseasonsfarm.ca
Location: Maitland, Nova Scotia

Four Seasons Farm contributes to the development of sustainable agriculture in the Maritimes, not only by providing great products to farmers' markets and restaurants, but by creating a place where people can come to learn about all aspects of organic farming while living in an engaging cooperative environment.

Located in rural Nova Scotia, 25 min west of Truro, and 1 hour north of Halifax, and certified organic for many years, Four Seasons is a unique and well established medium sized farming operation. The farm is continually expanding and looking to produce a variety of food products. Mixed greens play an important role in the business, while the rest of the focus is put toward herbs and vegetables, particularly garlic, cherry and heirloom tomatoes. As well, this year will be the first year raising chickens for eggs. Family owned and operated since 1992, the farm is currently undergoing a transition of ownership from one generation to the next.

Among other things, the farm is working toward producing value added items such as preserved fruits and vegetables, and dried herbs. There are ten greenhouses that are used for season extension, allowing us to start growing in February and finish harvesting in December. A new processing building houses a walk-in cooler and will allow us to process our produce more efficiently out of the elements. The farm currently cultivates 4 of 6 acres owned and are beginning a lease on 15 acres next to us that will be worked this year for the first time in a long time.

The farm is a place to learn about food in its many aspects, especially growing it. Experience farming as both as a lifestyle and a livelihood alongside seasoned managers who know how to teach. This unique opportunity also incorporates visiting other farms, facilitating workshops, and encourages reading from a comprehensive house library.

During this season the crew will consist of Sina and Owen as owners and managers, David and Nancy helping out, four to six interns, up to three local part-time farm hands, and volunteers & friends.

INTERNSHIPS
Interns are invited to join us from March until November

Qualifications:
* A strong interest in local, sustainable food
* Previous work experience/education in agriculture is preferred
* Positive and inquisitive
* Energetic, hard-working and highly motivated
* Desire to work and live in a cooperative setting

Work/Learn Description:
* Over the course of the season interns will develop the skills to grow from "seed to plate." Some of the tasks and themes include: seeding and transplanting; compost making, soil health and fertility; cover cropping; irrigation; trellising and pruning; weed, pest and disease prevention and management; intercropping; succession planting; managing and improving high tunnels; crop post-harvest care; farm direct marketing, delivering and selling at a farmers' markets; cooking and preserving food; poultry care; permaculture; breaking and working fresh ground; fixing and maintaining small machinery; general farm maintenance
* 4 building projects are also planned for this year include: finishing the new processing building, transforming a greenhouse into a chicken coop, creating a new layout in a large greenhouse and building a small cabin (potentially others)
* Learning and working take place in both individual and group settings; there is individual instruction, group demonstrations, and working with one another to pass along skills
* Detailed instructions are given to develop the skills necessary to perform tasks on the farm
* Visiting presenters and fieldtrips to other farms are organized periodically throughout the season
* There is an extensive farming library where the staff can help facilitate independent study
* Special workdays with friends and community several times a year for a change of pace

Responsibilities:
* The regular work schedule runs from 7 am -- 6 pm, or 8 am - 7 pm, with a 30 minute morning break/aka second breakfast, and an hour lunch break
* Interns work weekends on a rotating basis, watering on the farm, and working the market. Watering duties require the whole weekend; market duties are 2/3 of a day and provide some compensation

Housing:
* Housing is provided in the beautiful family farm house. Some interns will have their own rooms while others will have to share.
* All meals are provided (we love food and we eat damn good!) Vegetarians always welcome.
* Access to Canada-wide long-distance phone calls and wireless internet
* Laundry facilities available and detergent, soap, sunscreen and some over the counter medication provided
* Regular opportunities to cook almost anything with fresh and local ingredients
* Interns are also expected to take part in managing an orderly household, clean the house weekly, do household chores and take turns cooking for everyone

Farm conduct:
* There is a list of household guidelines which outline a number of rules of respect and procedure followed in the house and on the farm
* Smokers are welcome but must smoke outside, disposing of butts appropriately
* Safety is of great importance to us here and precautions are taken to avoid accidents. Participation is of course required from everyone involved

Additional Benefits:
* A weekly stipend that increases with length of stay
* An opportunity to explore this beautiful region of Nova Scotia on the Bay of Fundy (several bikes available, mudsliding, swimming, sports and hiking are all things that are commonly done here)
* The chance to meet others from around the world and locally, involved in the farm and food revival movement
* Campfires, playing music and socializing are common activities enjoyed on the farm (sing it!)
* An open communal space is available for yoga, stretching, discussions, presentations, study, and mediation etc.

To Apply
The 2012 season will run from March until November, with limited room for shorter stays as well
There is no deadline but the positions are filled on a rolling basis so apply ASAP
* Our minimum length of stay is three months, though preference is given to applicants with the intention to stay longer
* We encourage international applicants to apply to the internship. Please ask us if you have questions about arranging for the appropriate work and travel documents ASAP, (German and some French spoken)
* Please email a cover letter and resume to: info at fourseasonsfarm.ca Follow up conversation can be by phone or Skype.
** Please note: the initial two weeks of an intern's stay is a probationary period where both the farm management and intern will assess whether they are happy with each other **

A warm welcome to those who enjoy hard work, tasty food, good conversation, music, and living with a diverse group of people. We sincerely look forward to working hard and having a great time together!

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Organic Jobs, Internships & Volunteering
GoodWork Canada http://goodworkcanada.ca/gw.php?theme=food
CRAFT (Ontario) http://www.craftontario.ca
SOIL (Canada) http://soilapprenticeships.org
ACORN (Atlantic Canada) http://acornorganic.org/training.html
Manitoba Farm Mentorships http://organicfoodcouncil.org/mentorship.html
Alberta Sustainable Agriculture Apprenticeship http://startfarming.ca 
WWOOF (Worldwide) http://wwoof.ca and http://planetfriendly.net/wwoof.html

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Listing ID: 16404