Caretaker Farm in Northwest Massachusetts, has great apprenticeships available for the 2006 season. Apprentices get to work alongside Don Zasada, former head grower at The Food Project. I got to visit the farm this summer on the BLAST intern Dig-In, and thought that it was a beautiful and special place. Job announcement below.

Caretaker Farm Apprenticeships Available

Caretaker Farm is a diversified community supported farm in Williamstown, MA. The 35-acre farm is bisected by a small river and includes ponds, woodlands, pastures and vegetable land. While primarily dedicated to vegetable production, there are mixed livestock, an orchard, three greenhouses, and a bakery. Over 225 families receive a nearly year round distribution of vegetables.

Apprenticeships run from Mid-April through November. For the 2006 season we will also have one summer apprenticeship from early May through the end of August. The apprentices live on the farm and share in the preparation of all meals as members of the farm. In addition to room and board, apprentices receive a stipend of $400 per month, workman’s compensation insurance, one day of vacation for every month worked, and an additional $100 per month in assistance towards health care. Applicants are requested to apply in writing and provide the addresses of three references, reasons for wishing to apprentice, and a resume. The workweek is challenging and long (5 1⁄2 days and up to 60 hours) and the work itself is attuned to and dependent upon qualities of caring persistence, initiative, and teamwork.

The education of the apprentices is multi dimensional including experiencing all phases of organic production, daily interaction with the farmers, an educational contract that is revisited throughout the season to assure that the apprentice is reaching their educational goals, and participation in the CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training) program. This program enables the apprentices, thorough fortnightly seminars and farm visits, to study the diversity of farm design and agricultural technique found within the 12 collaborating farms.

While previous farming is not a prerequisite, the program is most suitable for those who feel they have a serious vocational interest in farming and/or agricultural development. Applicants are encouraged to visit Caretaker Farm before making a commitment to be part of the farm for a full season.

If interested please contact Don Zasada at:

1210 Hancock Road, Williamstown, MA, 01267