Paid Apprenticeship & Land at Sunseed Farm, Michigan

Dates: May 2 – October 14, 2011 paid, can work on personal plot during entire year

Compensation: $10/hour, 1/4 – 1/2 acre cropland for personal farming business development

Hours: 24 hours/week

Description: The Apprentice Farmer’s primary responsibilities will be to work 3 days per week assisting the Senior Farmer in running the day-to-day operations of Sunseed Farm, including all tasks involved in vegetable and fruit production and marketing.  In addition, the Apprentice Farmer will have access to between 1/4 and 1/2 acre of cropland to pursue the development of their personal farming business, which, subject to the approval of the Senior Farmer, could include the production of any horticultural crops for sale or processing.  The Apprentice Farmer will have access to the Senior Farmer for consultation and guidance during a weekly meeting, and will have access to farm machinery, tools and infrastructure, secondary to the production needs of Sunseed Farm.

This position is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge of Sunseed’s farming system and to gain experience running one’s own farming business while receiving mentoring and guidance from and experienced farmer.

Although all applications will be considered, preference will be given to candidates to anticipate a desire to live and farm long-term in Michigan.  Excellent candidates for this position will possess solid previous experience and a commitment to organic or ecological vegetable growing, a strong, self-motivated physical work ethic, a desire to discover the best and most efficient farming methods, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

For more information on the farm, please visit our website at www.farmsunseed.com