Colchester Farm CSA Apprenticeship Program

We are currently accepting applications for the 2012 season.

Each year, Colchester Farm CSA offers apprenticeships to individuals interested in gaining hands-on experience in sustainable vegetable production and the marketing of produce through a Community Supported Agriculture project.

For the 2012 season, we are looking for a team of 3 full season apprentices (April through the end of November). We are also looking to fill the position of an advanced apprenticeship (commitment of March through December with potential to stay longer). Please see here (pdf) for more information.

We welcome applications for the apprenticeship from hard-working individuals from diverse backgrounds; the apprenticeship is designed for individuals with a serious interest in gaining the skills necessary to farm, though prior farming experience is not necessarily required. Anyone with a serious interest in agriculture and the physical ability to work the long hours of a farming schedule will be considered. To apply, please submit a letter of interest and resume with references.

CFCSA is a working/learning farm. Most of an apprentice's time is spent producing vegetables (planting, seeding, weeding, hoeing, harvesting, washing, and packing) alongside the CSA manager and assistant manager. Apprentices learn by doing; fieldwork is the core educational component of the apprenticeship. Although CFCSA is a non-profit organization, we rely on farm income to sustain the CSA and we consider our interns an integral and indispensable component of this operation. Thus, we prioritize providing apprentices instruction and a working knowledge of all farm tasks. In return, apprentices are expected to contribute their labor to accomplish farm work, taking on greater responsibility as they learn.

More information is available in our Guide for Colchester Farm CSA Apprentices (pdf).

Learn more about the experience of past Colchester Farm CSA apprentices.
Check out Allie Welsh's blog where she recorded her experiences as an apprentice during the 2005 season or Ali Linthicum's blog who was an apprentice with us in 2008.