The Ecosystem Farm of the Accokeek Foundation is an 8-acre certified organic
vegetable farm (including blueberries, strawberries, figs, culinary herbs, and
cut flowers) on the banks of the Potomac River in Piscataway National Park. We
use solar power for irrigation and for potable well water. We operate an
80-household CSA. Internship starts March and ends in December.
The Ecosystem Farm hires two or three individuals for each growing season as
apprentices in the Jean Wallace Douglas Center for Land-Based Training. This is
an intensive "land-based training" program in organic vegetable production,
with opportunities to work in livestock production, for those who have a
serious desire to pursue farming as a way of life. Some apprentices stay on for
a second year with greater responsibilities. Our goal is to practice and
demonstrate a sustainable agriculture. The work is challenging physically,
mentally, and emotionally, although thorough instruction is provided in a safe,
organized, and nurturing manner. Accordingly, safety and personal
accountability are expected to be taken very seriously.
The apprenticeship program is an immersion program: an exchange of knowledge,
experience, and stipend for labor, attitude and effort - the premise of the
first year is that you will learn through doing how to grow food.
Qualifications
Applicants must have a strong desire to learn, to work hard, and to work well
with others. Applicants should be reliable; physically capable, emotionally
mature, take pleasure in teamwork. The apprentices typically work 55 hours a
week from April through October and fewer (40) hours during the other months.
Some prior experience in farming is preferred but not necessary.
Farming is hard work. Days are long, weeks are long, and the season can be
long. The weather might be 100 degrees with high humidity, or 44, wind and
rain. Weeks at Ecosystem Farm are 40 - 55 hours and sometimes six days a week,
depending on the season and tasks at hand. Apprentices are asked to work on
some weekends.
Work involves bending, kneeling, lifting up to 60 pounds, wielding large and
small tools and implements, standing and moving for long stretches of time.
There are some days when events cause us to work long and hard without
stopping. On these days, breaks can be few and rest little. The stress of
changing plans can be large. Sleep will come easily.
Apprentices are expected to keep a daily journal and complete reading and
writing assignments. The Accokeek Foundation sponsors a workshop series in
sustainable agriculture.
Apprentices are asked to commit to a full, arranged term; to pay attention to
detail, complete tasks, and keep records; to report to a farmer for
instruction, observation, and direction; to articulate observations,
curiosities, needs, and feelings of euphoria. Above all, to enjoy what we do,
keeping a positive attitude and a sense of humor, curiosity and goodwill.
Training
Apprentices will receive both formal (e.g., classes, workshops) and informal
instruction in the use of hand and mechanical tools, including tractor
operation.
Apprentices will be involved in all aspects of production, including greenhouse
work, soil preparation, planting, transplanting, use of drip irrigation,
cultivation and mulching, pest control, harvesting, post-harvest handling, and
marketing and sales. Apprentices will also experience many facets of CSA
operation and management, and philosophy of sustainable agriculture.
Benefits
We offer a generous monthly stipend, a health insurance premium, a binder of
selected readings, textbooks, and food from the farm. We assist the apprentices
in finding local and affordable housing. A Senior Apprenticeship position is
possible after the first season, which offers a higher monthly stipend and
greater responsibilities.
The Accokeek Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To Apply
In hiring apprentices we consider:
• Your career aspirations and how this experience fits into that plan.
• What you expect or hope will come from this experience.
• Your experience with physically and emotionally demanding work and situations.
• Your ability to follow instructions and to work efficiently, effectively, and, with practice, quickness and agility.
• How you see yourself fitting into this environment.
• What you feel we can offer you and you can offer us.
• How you handle stress; what things you enjoy, response to happiness.
• Your ability and desire to commit to a full season - or more - to the program.
Please respond to the following, using any format you wish:
• Tell us about yourself.
• Describe hard work you have done.
• Tell us about how you learn - include your strengths and weaknesses
as a student, and about a favorite learning experience.
• Describe your experiences in agriculture. What interests you about sustainable agriculture?
Please attach a short cover letter (include your address, email and phone number), your responses, a resume and two or three references with their contact information (phone, email, address) and their relationship to you. Some follow-up questions may follow receipt of your application.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to arrange a site-visit.
Send all materials - and questions - by snail or e-mail to:
Mike Snow
Accokeek Foundation
3400 Bryan Point Road
Accokeek, Maryland 20607
msnow@accokeek.org