Flower Apprentice Position in South Carolina

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Taylor in Apprenticeship, Education, Farming // 0 Comments

Flower Apprentice Position Available at Wild Hope Farm in South Carolina – 2019

Wild Hope Farm is a sustainable farm in Chester, SC, using organic practices and permaculture design to grow fresh produce, flowers, and pasture raised laying hens. We are currently growing on 6+ acres of certified organic production and 6 acres of cover crop for production in spring of 2020. The 220 acre property consists of greenhouses, walking trails, a 10-acre pond, and diversified natural areas. Our produce is sold through a 150-300 person farm share, to local chefs, and at the Matthews Farmers Market. We host complementary on-farm events including retreats, weddings, farm-to-table dinners, and educational workshops to cultivate community and encourage people to learn about our farming practices.

We are seeking strong, efficiency-focused people with experience and passion who aspire to run their own farm some day. The apprentices are integral members of our small team at Wild Hope Farm. During the 8 month program you will get exposed to all aspects of organic farming and deepen your knowledge of our organic farming methods, produce and operations, beekeeping, season extension, cover cropping, no-till methods, compost heat extraction, pasture raised chickens, soil quality, harvesting and packing, customer delivery, and selling. You will become familiar with our modern equipment (see list on job description below) and be trained on usage. We will assess your development and coach you towards operating independently over the time with us.

The Flower Apprentice will work directly Katherine Belk, our flower manager.

Flower Apprentice WORK SCHEDULE

The work at Wild Hope Farm is seasonal and the length of the workday varies within the busy season. Apprentices work 45-50 hrs over a 5 day work week. The pay for agricultural work at Wild Hope Farm is exempt from overtime pay.

Monday – Friday 6:00 AM – 2:45 PM during peak summer and 7:00 AM – 3:45 in the early spring/fall (periodic break 15 minute breaks & 45 min lunch break)

Occasional Saturdays 5:45 AM – 1:00 PM (taking off Thursdays when working the market)

FLOWER RESPONSIBILITIES

Assist with and eventually lead cut flower harvesting and arranging 2-3 days/week
Weekly weeding, transplanting, and direct seeding in the flower garden
Ensuring electric fence is properly grounded, turned on and charged
Adjusting irrigation timer as needed and fixing irrigation leaks in the flower garden area

DELIVERY RESPONSIBILITIES

Delivering to our Fort Mill and Rock Hill CSA pick-up sites on Thursdays afternoons, leaving work

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES for the Flower Apprentice

● Direct seeding, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, washing and storing of vegetable crops

● Tending our pasture raised chickens (moving fences, collecting eggs)

● Safe operation of tractors and other farm equipment

● Packing farm shares

Flower Apprentice QUALIFICATIONS

Passion for growing flowers
Design focus – interest in creative endeavors
Previous farming experience is a plus
Experience with physical labor or intense outdoor activity – able to lift 50 lbs
Ability to harvest efficiently and maintain the fast pace of a production farm with a positive attitude
Ability to work in all types of weather (hot, rainy, and cold)
Experience with tractor equipment and attachments
Must have reliable transportation
Curiosity
Sense of humor
Flexibility
Comfort in interacting with farm share members or farm visitors

EDUCATIONAL VALUE

Our apprentice program is a hands-on working/learning experience designed to move dedicated candidates towards farm management. We accept people from all backgrounds who want to explore agriculture as a career option.

Apprenticeship Goals/Evaluation: As part of our program orientation, apprentices are encouraged to identify in writing what they hope to accomplish from their apprenticeship. After three to four weeks we will meet with each apprentice to help with the development of realistic goals and to confirm our mutual (farmer and apprentice) expectations for learning. This document will be revisited for periodic evaluation and reviewed in detail in early summer. We will make every effort to tailor each experience to the expressed needs of each participant.

Daily Meeting: The farm crew convenes every morning to clarify the day’s program and make alterations due to the weather and other events.

Orientation: During the first week we will conduct an orientation to go over safety policies, farm policies, and the location and names of buildings and equipment. We will review the farm calendar, begin to set vacation times, go over job responsibilities (household, animals, greenhouse, distribution, etc.) and start figuring out how to live in community together.

Study Materials: All apprentices have access to written learning materials to increase their understanding of Wild Hope Farm in particular and farming in general. These materials include crop plans, seed orders, planting schedules, maps, overall farm plans, and supporting information. In addition there is a small farm library from which apprentices are welcome to borrow books.

EQUIPMENT EXPOSURE

During your time at Wild Hope Farm, you will have an opportunity to learn how to drive the tractor and get experience using some of the following equipment/attachments:

John Deere 4720 and 2720 hydrostatic tractors, automated CSA delivery trailer, flail mower, disc harrow, bed shaper, drip tape applicator, roller crimper, PTO driven manure spreader, rotary mower, potato digger, chisel plow, and a three point hitch cultivation toolbar with sweeps, crescent hoes, spider wheels and S tines.

Flower Apprentice BENEFITS

Employees are paid $1,100/month
Provided housing on the farm in our farm huts, communal kitchen and hangout space with attached bathrooms and showers
Provided fresh produce from the farm
Opportunity to plan and host your own community event (e.g., workshop or farm-to-table event)

TIME OFF

The following guidelines on vacation and personal time assume an apprenticeship running from early April through the end of November.

Vacations: Each apprentice is given one week paid vacation (5 days), which ideally will be taken at one time between July 1 and September 15. Vacation times will be scheduled at the beginning of the season, trying to take all needs into account.If you need to miss a market or two over the season, you will need to give Peanut a 2 week notice to coordinate another market lead.

Personal Time: It is expected that there will be some need during the season for every apprentice to take some personal time, whether for car repairs, doctor’s appointments, or other personal needs. Each apprentice may take up to 2 personal days each season. These personal days do not need to be taken as “full days.” It is expected that except for emergencies, a week’s notice will be given about the need for personal time.

Sick Time: When you’re sick, please don’t work. If health circumstances arise that cause you to miss more than 7 days of work during the season due to illness, there will need to be some discussion as to whether the position is right for you at this time. Sick days that are not taken as the personal day will go unpaid.

PERSONNEL & GENERAL POLICIES

Safety Policies: We will review safety policies during the first week of orientation. All apprentices are required to follow safety policies at all times. Failure to do so may result in immediate dismissal.

Drugs and Alcohol: Illegal drugs are not permitted on the farm property at any time (this includes the apprentice cabins). Alcohol is permitted in moderation. It is unacceptable to work while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One infraction may be cause for immediate dismissal.

Visitors: Visitors are welcome for up to 1 week. Family and friends are expected to work at least ½ days along with the farm crew, following our normal schedule. Visits longer than a week are subject to the wishes of other apprentices and the farm family.

Pets: Apprentices must leave their pets at home.

General Demeanor: It is expected that all apprentices be prompt, dressed appropriately for work, and professional in their attitude at work.

Tools and Work Clothes: The farm provides harvest knives and daily hand tools. They must be returned to the shed at the end of the day. Apprentices must provide any other desired tools or work clothes (pocket knives, rain boots, rain gear, hats, gloves).

APPLY TODAY for the Flower Apprentice Position!

After you have read this description in its entirety, please send us one email only to katherine@wildhopefarm.com with:

Subject line: Flower Apprentice Application, (Your Name)
Cover letter detailing your interest in our program
Responses to the questionnaire below
Resume
Three references, work- or farm-related, with current phone numbers

If your qualifications meet our standards we will contact you to schedule an interview. Unfortunately we cannot reply to all applicants.

Questionnaire:

Why are you interested in Wild Hope Farm?
What previous experience are you bringing to this position and what do you feel you have to offer?
What practical skills do you hope to acquire?
What are your personal goals related to farming?
Do you have any prior injuries to back, knees, etc. that might limit your ability to do farm work?
The Apprentices all live and work together on the farm. Do you have any experiences living and working in this type of environment?
Do you have any allergies, food restrictions, or other physical limitations that might affect your ability to live in a rural setting and do farm work?
Please tell us something interesting about yourself (hobbies, obsessions, talents, etc.)

If you are considered for the position, we require a 1-2 day working interview on the farm.

Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org by going to https://www.beginningfarmers.org/internship-and-employment-opportunities/