Job Description

ABOUT THE FARM

Oz Farm is an organic farm, non-profit and retreat center which has operated for over 20 years on the banks of the Garcia River in Mendocino County, California. Oz Farm is on the traditional land of the Pomo People. We grow vegetables, flowers and heirloom apples on 6 acres in production for local farmer’s markets, grocery stores, restaurants, and our CSA program. We provide education in sustainable agriculture for beginning farmers, and expand local organic food access through our nonprofit, Village Oz. We also host retreats and weddings through our Retreat Center.

The farm is currently in transition from conventional organic production using tillage and tractors to more regenerative market gardening using no till techniques and experimentation. The 2024 season will be a unique opportunity for apprentices to join the farm managers in exploring the risks and rewards of no till, human scale agriculture. We are passionate about cultivating incredible soil, stewarding this bountiful land, and farming for the future in a world of climate chaos and societal fragmentation. We believe farming is a powerful tool for carbon drawdown, community resilience, and peace and prosperity.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Our Apprenticeship is an educational, hands-on experience in small-scale organic agriculture on a fully working production farm. Apprentices will practice engaging body and mind in the art and science of tending the land. Working closely with the farm managers, each apprentice will have the opportunity to develop their craft in the fundamental aspects of market gardening: field and soil preparation, propagation, transplanting, cultivation and pest management, harvesting, and marketing. Apprentices may also develop skills in closely related areas such as irrigation, orchard care, carpentry, tool use, recordkeeping, and team leadership.

Committed apprentices will find open opportunities to delve more deeply into areas of interest both on the farm and in off-grid living.

Expect a serious, commercial work environment with a strong team of farmers and full days of manual labor. We provide weekly classes, discussions and field workshops on a wide range of agricultural topics and rural life skills, including soil chemistry and biology, crop planning, botany, seed saving, compost making, orchardry, cider making, farm finances, marketing, floral arranging, off-grid living, intentional community, basic mechanics, and more.

Communal living includes shared kitchen, family-style dinners, weekly community meetings, and rotating weekend farm duties. Our Apprenticeship gives a professional, well rounded and practical education in the wide range of tools and techniques for diversified vegetable production and marketing, as well as modeling a sustainable lifestyle where apprentices gain invaluable experience in off-grid communal living.

WHAT WE EXPECT:

A strong, stable person who can fully engage the farm lifestyle and has a natural curiosity for understanding agriculture and developing work skills. A good team member who starts each workday prepared and ready to work with a sense of presence. Someone who observes carefully, takes initiative, and handles responsibility well. A thoughtful communicator and caring community member with an interest in intentional living. We are looking for serious, hardworking applicants who are ready to dive into the work of farming and take full responsibility for this opportunity to learn and practice organic agriculture.

SAMPLE WORK WEEK AT OZ:

M: Crop Care
T: Harvest for CSA, Field work, Projects
W: Propagation, Transplanting, Field work
Th: Farm Education, Field Trips, Projects
F: Harvest and pack for Farmers Markets, Cultivation

COMPENSATION:

In exchange for your season of strong labor, dedication, and focus the apprenticeship offers a practical training in organic market gardening and the wide array of skills necessary to operate a small farm. Engaged and driven apprentices will leave Oz with invaluable skills in both farming and community living that will well serve for a lifetime.

Apprentices will earn a cash take from farmers market sales. Additional paid hourly work is often available preferentially to apprentices on weekends for the Retreat Center.

As part of your work exchange all apprentices will be provided room and board:

• Private 10×12 cabin with wood burning stove, running water, and small solar array.

• Access to the communal farm kitchen that is stocked with:

  • seasonal farm fresh produce

  • bulk food items (no meat or dairy)

  • outdoor shower and bathtub

  • large front and back porch

  • a lounge area with loft space for guests

• Family-style plant-based dinner 5 nights/week

• The opportunity to pursue passion projects on the farm outside of the work week

DATES:

Tentative dates – 2024 season: April 21st-November 1st

How to Apply

Please email your resume, 3 references, questionnaire and an optional photo of yourself to [email protected].

See webpage for more information. The deadline to apply is January 1, 2024.

Job Categories: Farming. Job Types: Internship. Salaries: Less than 20,000.

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