Apprenticing at Appleton Farms CSA

The farm apprenticeship at Appleton is a learning and working experience. Apprentices will be involved in all aspects of organic vegetable production of 25 acres for over 500 shareholders. Three to five apprentices are hired each, and the apprenticeships are filled on a rolling basis beginning in the fall.

Apprentices at Appleton Farms can participate in the Eastern Massachusetts Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) program, as well as the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) summer conference. To find out more about these organizations, click on these links:

www.emasscraft.org
www.nofamass.org

Apprenticeship Responsibilities:

• General farm work: planting, seeding, weeding, hoeing, harvesting, post harvest vegetable handling, cleanup, building and grounds projects, special farm projects. The CSA crew is sometimes involved in general property maintenance, including raking, mowing and moving hay bales.
• Tractor work: each apprentice will be responsible (with the farmers) for one cultivating or seeding tractor on the farm. Apprentices will be trained in the safe operation and maintenance of the tractor and its implements, and will also gain familiarity with much of the equipment used by the CSA crew.
• Shareroom hours: Each apprentice may choose to work during CSA distributions each week, including all aspects of stocking, customer service, and additional sales.
• Administrative work as needed.

Apprentice Work Schedule:

• April to November (30 weeks).
• Mondays - Fridays | 6AM - 5PM. One hour lunch. Saturdays | 7AM to 12noon.
• Rotating weekend responsibilities: One weekend a month for greenhouse, fencing and irrigation chores. Comp time is not given for weekend chores.
• CSA distribution responsibilities: shareroom hours continue into the evening several nights a week. Weekly comp time will be arranged for these work hours not in the regular schedule.

Apprentice Qualifications:

• Ability to handle physically strenuous, repetitious tasks in all weathers. Specifically, ability to repetitively lift and carry 40 pounds. Ability to work bending over for hours at a time each day.
• We work fast, so apprentices should possess the ability to work quickly, and desire to learn to work faster.
• Good communication skills, sense of humor, upbeat attitude.
• Detail-oriented.
• A valid driver's license.
• Farming experience preferred.

Apprentice Compensation: 

• Stipend: $300/week. A tax withholding will be taken out of this stipend. Appleton Farms provides workers' compensation insurance.
• Housing: private room, shared living space, about 7 miles from the farm, utilities included (available only April through Thanksgiving). Apprentice responsible for outgoing/long-distance phone service.
• Farm produce: as much farm grown produce as the apprentice can use, including putting up for the winter.
• Shareroom products: apprentice can purchase items for sale (honey, cookbooks, etc) at the cost to the farm.
• Training: access to planning software, documents and records, farmer's library; farm safety training; tractor operation and maintenance training; option to participate in eastern Mass CRAFT program; option to attend NOFA summer conference, and other events as they arise; continued consulting and assistance with post apprenticeship job placement if desired.
• Time off: one week paid vacation, usually in July or August; sick and personal time as needed and negotiated with the farmers.
  Free admission to all Trustees of Reservations properties, including nearby Crane Beach.

To apply for the apprenticeship, send letter, resume and references to:

Appleton Farms CSA
Jamie Barrett, Farmer
219 County Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
978.356.1655
jbarrett@ttor.org