South Willamette

Little Wings Farm

Little Wings Farm

  • POSITION: 2 APPRENTICESHIPS 

  • FULL TIME (32-40 hrs/week) 

  • APPROX START/END DATES: April - Oct/Nov

  • LOCATION: Eugene (Southern Willamette Valley)

  • NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

  • VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

  • ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Preferred.

  • LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English.

Little Wings Farm has been thriving for 6 years and is operated by partners Rosie and Adam. The farm is Certified Organic and grows a wide range of vegetables and fruit for two primary market channels. These include a 200 member CSA (Cropshare) and a vibrant Wholesale market consisting of natural food stores, restaurants and local food hubs. There is a mix of both tractors (gas and electric) and hand work for cultivation and the farmers take care during soil prep to minimize tillage to what is necessary while using alternative and creative means in the process. The farm does not use single-use plastic mulch in its production.The crew consists of 7 folks with half of them part-time. 

The farm is located 6 miles North of Downtown Eugene just outside of the Urban Growth Boundary at the end of a gravel road. It is bordered by the Willamette River where they swim almost every day of the Summer. Little Wings grows on about 12 acres on 3 different pieces of property all adjacent to one another leasing ground from two of their neighbors who have grown to become like family. The area around the farm offers easy access to hiking, boating, fishing, biking, etcetera. It is a convenient commute for employees who want to live in town while working on the farm.  

Rosie has been farming for nearly 18 years, having worked for 5 different farms where she gained the knowledge and experience to run her own successful farm business. Throughout this time, she has organized and managed various farm crews, learning how to maintain a smooth flow of productivity while still having fun. Her passion is growing high quality food and building community on and off the farm while doing it.

Adam has been farming for almost 10 years, working for two other farms before starting Little Wings. His focus has been on soils, cultivation, irrigation, and pest and disease management.  He is stoked to be honing skills such as plumbing, wiring, welding, and carpentry and taking on projects like designing irrigation systems and modifying farm equipment to improve the farm operation. He also thrives on working with a team of positive hard working people.    

“Often, we reflect back on why we started our own farm, rather than continue to work for others and it came down our desire for a positive work culture (which puts the humanity back into the workers) and an environmental ethic that we felt was missing on other organic farms (namely the growing practice of single use plastic as a primary tool for weed suppression). We knew that if we wanted to work on a farm that carried these two principles we would have to start it ourselves.”  

Going into their 7th season, Rosie and Adam have also come to realize that running a successful and profitable farm business was also a very important ethic that is often overlooked when thinking about producing organic vegetables. After working 12-16 hour days during the first 5 years of farming, it became essential to value their own time monetarily. They also see how important it is to pay their employees competitive wages so that they feel motivated to work hard and stay engaged in farming. So, the farm’s profitability is something they are constantly reassessing.  However, it isn't their only metric of success. They also look at their lives and the lives of their workers to determine: Is the work interesting and fun? Do we have enough time off to enjoy our lives off of the farm? Are we growing anything that is exceptionally hard on our bodies that we can give up? 

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

We are a highly diversified vegetable and fruit farm which means the work is always changing. Because of our smaller crew size each person on our crew ends up doing and learning a little bit about everything going on. We approach each job as a learned skill and have proper and efficient techniques for each job on the farm. It is exceptionally important that our crew maintains an openness and curiosity for learning and mastering each skill we teach. 

The job entails sowing seeds and caring for plants in the propagation house, preparing beds for planting, fertilizing, planting beds, weeding and plant care (like trellising or pruning), irrigation (drip and overhead), harvest, and washing, packing wholesale orders and personalized CSA boxes, sharpening tools, general tool care, and organization and storage of materials on farm. 

There will be opportunities for Apprentices to learn how to use some crucial equipment on our farm as well. This includes: BCS walk behind Tractor, Kubota 50 HP Tractor, Flame Weeder, Jang Seeder, and Vacuum Seeder. 

Each week brings new crops harvested, new tasks to be performed and new challenges based on weather conditions. The work can be physically difficult at times but in general it is more about building stamina and the ability to move quickly. It is important that an Apprentice is able to stay alert and be mentally present with the task at hand, the rest of the crew and their general surroundings. 

We offer days off to our crew members throughout the season. We ask that they schedule these at least 2 weeks in advance and coordinate with the rest of the crew so no 2 people are off at the same time. Apprentices will be able to accrue 1 hour of paid time off for every 40 hours worked. 

We will begin each task with Apprentices with a tutorial on how we want it to be done, the skills that will be needed, the end goals, and tips on how to perform the task most effectively. We will then check in regularly to see if anything has come up for them or if we need to make any adjustments. It is essential that the apprentice is open to receiving and applying our feedback on any and all tasks and that they can effectively communicate their questions and concerns about the task. Apprentices will be working alongside the owners at times as well as alongside other experienced employees. During these work sessions we will encourage questions and dialogue about the project. We will also be conducting regular check-ins with each Apprentice. Our hope is that each Apprentice will gain skills and independence to be able to work without supervision and will be able to take on new skills and responsibilities as the season progresses. 

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

Compensation includes: 

$15-17/hr. 

Paid Time Off - Accrual Rate of 1 hr for every 40 hrs worked 

Farm Produce 

Other Perks for Fun: 

Themed Dress-Up Days 

Mid- Season Crew River Float 

End of Season Pizza Party and Awards

No housing offered. We are located very close to Downtown Eugene. There are a lot of rental options in and around Eugene. 

QUALIFICATIONS

We are seeking a motivated, positive, and hardworking person. They should have the following: 

1. A basic understanding of vegetable crops and have a familiarity with growing them. Although formal farm experience is not required, it is preferred. 

2. Has experience with and has thrived when doing physical activity in both a work setting and in recreation.

3. Openly communicates and maintains a curiosity when receiving constructive feedback or directions. Our farm has a culture of clear and consistent communication. Each crew member gets a hand held radio to use throughout the day to ask questions, make decisions, and clarify directions. 

4. Has experience and loves working in a team setting. This means having an awareness of others around them and seeking to assist others with tasks when appropriate as well as knowing when there are “too many cooks in the kitchen” and it’s time to personally move on from a task. 

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We foster a welcoming and open culture on our farm where we encourage communication and dialogue. We have regular check-ins to ensure each crew member is having a positive experience and can have safe spaces to communicate their needs. We will be offering a physical dropbox on the farm (which can be anonymous) for any comments or questions that the farm owners will review regularly and address. 

When possible we donate food to local nonprofits in town and pop-up fundraising events. We also accept EBT payments for our CSA program. 

Adam and Rosie.

Winter Green Farm

WINTER GREEN FARM


  • POSITION: 3 APPRENTICESHIPS 

  • FULL TIME (40 hrs/week) 

  • APPROX START/END DATES: May - November

  • LOCATION: Noti (mid-Willamette Valley)

  • NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

  • VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

  • ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Video conference is acceptable.

  • LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English. Conversational Spanish.


Winter Green Farm is owned and operated by Chris and Shannon. Our farm is nestled in the foothills of the coast range about 25 miles from Eugene and 40 miles from the Oregon coast.  The farm is about 100 acres, and we lease 34 acres down the road as well.  The closest town that offers basic amenities is Veneta which is five miles away.  

Our farm enterprises include a CSA (500 members), 3 farmers markets a week, direct wholesale to stores and restaurants, plus wholesaling to schools, Organically Grown Company and a small grass-fed lamb operation.  We grow 22-25 acres of mixed fruits and vegetables a year that are certified organic by Oregon Tilth. We also use biodynamic farming methods.  We practice a six year rotation where our ground is mixed vegetables and forage production for our animals for three years, and then a beef herd managed by neighbors is on the farm for 3 years. We make all of our own compost on-farm which is our main source of fertility.

We have an average of 20-25 people on payroll during the year.  Apprentices would work closely with harvest managers as primary mentors. We grow a variety of fresh market vegetables and most are hand harvested, although we do have specialized mechanical harvesting equipment. Most of our tillage and cultivation is mechanized and done with tractors.

Winter Green Farm was founded in 1980, has been certified organic since 1984, has had a CSA since 1992. Chris came to the farm in 1995 with no agricultural experience, a degree in biology and a commitment to help make the world a better place.  His initial role on the farm was to help process medicinal herbs. He then went on to become the irrigation person. As his passion grew and knowledge base broadened, he was given more and more responsibility on the farm.  In 2008 He and his wife Shannon were given the opportunity by the other owners to partner in the farm and in 2015 they purchased all of the assets and secured a long term lease to run the vegetable operation on the farm. 

Chris helped teach the Urban Farm at the U of O in the late 90’s.  He has run farm crews, led field trips for Trout Unlimited, and taught and trained employees on a variety of tasks on the farm. Shannon was an Apprentice at Horton Road Organics in 1999 and then stayed on to help with their Apprenticeship program for 3 years afterwards.


TRAINING & EXPECTATIONS

We are looking to teach people production agriculture. They will take part in planting, harvesting, and processing of fruits and vegetables.  Depending on experience and aptitude they may also get to take part in tractor work and other equipment operation.  Depending on experience and desire to learn, Apprentices will be exposed to record keeping, fertility management and  food safety protocol.

Apprentices will be given all the training they need for tasks that they are asked to do.  Ideally they would work on average 40 hours a Monday through Friday.  If someone is interested in doing farmers markets, their schedule would be adapted so they would work on Saturdays and still average 40 hours/week.  Farming is hard work. An Apprentice should be able to work hard at an efficient pace during all types of weather. Time off is honored if scheduled in advance (unless for urgent needs).  Apprentices will get paid sick time as well.

We provide instruction by explaining, showing and working with the skill being instructed on.  The people learning the task are given goals and techniques that we have worked on over the years to make the job more efficient , safe and less taxing on the body and mind.  They will be given the chance to ask questions and work on their own after hands-on instruction is given.  We follow up a couple of times after the training to make sure that the skill has been acquired and that the person is reaching their fullest potential at that skill.


COMPENSATION & ACCOMMODATIONS

We start all crew workers at $15.00 hour. Workers are given a 50 cent raise after 250 hours of employment and then raises are given based on hours accrued after that on July 1st and January 1st.  Bonuses are given at the end of the year if the farm is profitable. We give paid time off after the first year of employment. Every employee is given paid sick leave (up to 40 hours a year) and if necessary can get paid family leave as well.

Apprentices will receive a ½ share of our CSA and are able to access other farm produce as well.

We give each employee three pairs of work gloves when they start. They are also assigned rain gear, a harvest knife, and shears for the duration of their employment at the farm.

No housing is provided. Our farm is pretty rural so finding housing in the immediate area is difficult but not impossible.  We are aware of some rentals in our area and if we hear of openings we will share with folks.  A large part of our work force lives in the Eugene area and carpool to the farm.

Cell service is spotty on the farm. We do have Wi-fi at our office on the farm if needed.


QUALIFICATIONS

People with previous farm experience would be ideal but not necessary. 

Someone with the attributes listed in the ‘Training & Expectations’ section above would be a huge plus.  


EQUITY & INCLUSION

We believe that workers have the right to meaningful work, fair treatment, and decent compensation.  We are eternally grateful for the love and care that our employees invest in our farm.  In a very real way, our farm is the manifestation of the energy of our workers.  Many deep relationships have developed over the years at the farm, among workers and between workers and owners. We see our workforce as our farm community and look forward to supporting this important aspect of our farm.
Just as Winter Green Farm’s ecosystem exists within a global ecology, so does our social activity exist within a broader community and societal context.  We believe that supporting local community organizations, specific cause related endeavors, and certain agricultural organizations are important.  Similarly, we believe that by opening the farm as a place where members of the community can support us, we help strengthen the bonds of community and help heal the rural/urban divide.

Shannon and Chris.

Sunbow Produce- FULL FOR 2024

Sunbow ProducE- FULL FOR 2024

  • POSITION: 2 APPRENTICESHIPS 

  • PART TIME (20-25 hrs/week) 

  • APPROX START/END DATES: March/April-December

  • LOCATION: Corvallis (Willamette Valley)

  • NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

  • VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes.

  • ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Yes.

  • LANGUAGES SPOKEN: Spanish, English. Fully fluent in both. 

We grow certified organic (OTCO) fruits, vegetables, pulses, and herbs through a customer direct e-newsletter and online store. We sell at the Philomath Farmers Market and provide weekly distribution through Linn-Benton Food Share through two channels. We practice a model of stewardship regarding soil, water and land use. Much of our field work is done by hand but we do use tractors for field prep, mowing, harrowing, tillage (spading, rototilling), spreading mulch, moving compost, and some weeding. We teach and encourage ergonomic practices to keep our bodies in good working condition. We do not employ mechanical harvesting, it’s all by hand with the exception of potatoes. Our fertility program includes deliberate rotations, cover cropping, mulching with leaves, and using minimal purchased inputs. Our farm crew consists of Yadira and Nate plus two to three part-time employees and occasional work-trade helpers who are compensated with our farm currency, Sunbacks. We have a comprehensive liability insurance policy and carry workers comp insurance. Our business is licensed in Oregon, we do not distribute out of state. 

We have two locations. The main one is at Sunbow Farm, a 14 acre property located on the outskirts of Corvallis and Philomath. We farm between 3-5 acres at Sunbow depending on the year. There are fields, 6 high tunnels, an orchard, a lot of wildlife habitat, a few old barns and some old crumbling out-buildings. There’s a house, a bathroom building, a market room and a pack/wash area as well as a cob structure. Four people reside here, including us. 

The other location is in Philomath in a residential area. It’s approx 3 acres that are gated and fenced and is part of a larger residential plot managed by the owner. Our leased zone includes a greenhouse and access to the fields.

Sunbow Farm was established in 1972, we took on management and created Sunbow Produce in 2015. We’ve both been farming between 10-12 years including some volunteer work and internships/apprenticeships. Before we became farmers, Yadira worked in a social justice/social services agency and Nate worked for the State of Washington. We came to this farm independently and met here. We’re devoted to organic and regenerative practices, and are certified by both Oregon Tilth and the Real Organic Project. 

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

● All-season growing techniques in high/low tunnels: bed prep, annual crop planting, harvesting, and maintenance of crops and infrastructure. 

● Perennial crop harvesting and maintenance 

● Soil conservation and water management; irrigation techniques; water catchment 

● Dry farming techniques 

● Wildlife conservation and coexistence; pest management in an organic operation; agro-ecological practices 

● Field work: weeding with tools and by hand; harvesting; prepping beds for transplanting; transplanting, planting; clearing beds; setting up protection (low tunnels, bird netting, etc.); installing, maintaining, moving, and removing irrigation; seeding cover crops 

● Highly diversified crop production, identification, and management 

● Consumer-direct marketing techniques and farm stand/farmers market work

  • Time management/efficiency/work pace

 ● Harvest, wash and pack skills

● Food safety standards and management 

● Equipment and infrastructure maintenance 

● Possible tractor operation depending on the person 

● Small equipment operation (weed whacking, root washer operation, water pump problem solving) 

● Seed saving 

The first 4-6 weeks will be hands-on training with one or both of us. Independent tasks will be assigned after a successful training period. The work week will change with the seasons but is likely to start with two days/week and expand to up to 5 days/week. Lunch times will be 60 minutes regardless of the time of year.

Slower season: exertion is expected to be medium high with decent pace. Labor is medium. Harvest, wash, pack and deliver orders twice a week; field work two to three days a week. Minimum of two consecutive days off can be expected during the slower parts of the season. 

Busy season: exertion is high with a fast pace. Labor is heavy, a lot of repetitive work and heavy lifting. Farm managers work 7 days/week. 

Harvest, wash, pack and deliver three days a week; field work three days a week; farmers market and farm stand once a week. During the months of August-October harvesting becomes part of daily field work and is performed by all crew members. All crew members are expected to be present for all shifts during the busy season with the exception of illness. 

On excessively hot days, there will be unpaid time off during the hottest part of the day. Schedules will be adjusted in order to avoid heat stress but still get work done. This may mean early starts and late endings.

Evaluation will be based on performance, consistency, availability, and reliability. We will provide hands-on training, engage in frequent discussion, and provide opportunities to practice. Daily feedback will be given during the training period. In-person check-ins will be done as needed but minimally, at three and six months. We encourage apprentices to let us know when they need to discuss progress, interests, etc.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

$14.20-$16/per hour to start, depending on prior experience. A weekly produce stipend of $30, plus additional access to produce seconds when available 

Occasional farm-ily meals and gatherings will be offered but are not mandatory.

Access to personal growing space as long as there are no conflicts with time and resources (watering schedule, tool use, etc.) 

The farm will pay for up to $100 for local workshops per apprentice.

Successful completion of the apprenticeship could lead to a management or crew boss position with us. 

We provide basic equipment (tools) required for work and have loaner rain gear and rubber boots depending on shoe size.

No on-farm housing is offered, but we are more than willing to help find affordable housing within our community (with people we know and trust). 

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Enthusiasm, eagerness, and self-respect. Curiosity, resourcefulness, and grit. Drive, desire to learn, desire to excel, attention to detail, investment in the operation (emotional, not financial), food systems interest, food, land and social justice. Excellent communication skills, good boundary setting. 

  • Applicants must be able to: 

  • Lift 50 pounds safely and regularly 

  • Follow directions 

  • Ask questions 

  • Spend extended periods of time doing repetitive work such as standing, crouching, kneeling, etc. 

  • Understand how to work safely around a tractor, within old buildings and crowded spaces. Be willing to get dirty 

  • Use equipment as directed and utilize suggestions for best ergonomic practices Respect all crew members 

  • Problem solve 

  • Avoid using violence, both physically and verbally 

  • Avoid using alcohol, drugs (including marijuana) and cigarettes during work shifts. Arrive sober, free of any intoxicants and fully functional to all assigned shifts. Arriving incapacitated in any way will not be tolerated as it could be a safety issue.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We welcome everyone, and do our best to engage with people positively and directly. We’re an equal opportunity employer, and are reasonable people who respect others and expect the same. 

We host Growing Ancestral Roots, a BIPOC organization of growers, providing them a high tunnel to further their efforts and grant them access to other parts of the farm during the main season. We connect people who have been disadvantaged and are looking for land access to resources and opportunities whenever we can. 

We provide hands-on job training to young adults who have disabilities through a school district program. 

We acknowledge that Oregon was home to Indigenous people well before white settlers arrived. 

We often find ourselves having open discussions about the intersection of race, class, history, policy and access. 

Yadira and Nate.

Rainshine Family Farm

Rainshine Family Farm

  • POSITION: 1 APPRENTICESHIP 

  • FULL TIME (32-40 hrs/week) 

  • APPROX START/END DATES: early April - mid Nov

  • LOCATION: Outside of Philomath (Willamette Valley)

  • NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

  • VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes.

  • ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Preferred.

  • LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, basic Spanish.


Rainshine is owned and operated by Elias and Rachel. We have farmed for 15 years, and have been certified organic through Oregon Tilth for the past four. We generally grow 4-6 acres of diversified row crops with emphasis on root crops and greens, and also manage 6 acres of apples and a 30 head flock of meat sheep. Our veggies and fruit are marketed through our 100-150 member CSA, to local restaurants, at the Corvallis Saturday market, and Willamette Valley grocery stores. Most work is done by hand (i.e. harvest, planting, transplanting, weed control) but we do have some small scale labor saving tools (mulch layer, potato digger, rototillers,  manure spreader, etc).  We incorporate 1-2 acres of summer cropped areas, and pulse grazing our sheep throughout different cropping areas during the growing season and off seasons. At our current production level, 6-7 full time employees are required for the farm.

We live 17 miles outside of Corvallis in the foothills of the Coast range. We’re quite rural with a car being essential for transportation to town, and just about anywhere. There are several other people living on the property, some are working on the farm and would be working with potential apprentices. Our property is 102 acres, with an additional 100+ acres in community trust that can be enjoyed for recreation. We have river frontage and plenty of space to camp for additional recreation.

Elias manages vegetable production and has a finger in most things.  Elias’ passion for farming came from several merging interests.  His first interest was in politics and social justice, then came an interest in the natural world, and finally health and nutrition.  And… you put all these things together and you better just start growing your own food!  Rachel and Elias started growing food as a hobby in 2003, did their first formal apprenticeship in 2006 and started Rainshine in 2008 as a 24 member CSA in a one acre backyard in the Corvallis area. Elias is fascinated by what just plain works, and also how complicated farm systems are.  All of our income is made from our farm property, and one longer term goal is to continue to make it more soluble and profitable and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Rachel manages the orchard spaces, which include 4 acres of red fleshed specialty apples, 1 acre of mixed apples, 1 acre of mixed cider apples, and some asian pears.  She also manages the flock of sheep along, manages the office, runs the farmer’s market booth and also wears many other hats!

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Apprentices will work alongside other employees.  Both head farmers work hands-on 3-6 days a week with staff.  All aspects of small scale farming will be covered such as sowing, transplanting, irrigating, soil prep, minor construction, marketing (farmer’s market help), weed management, harvest, post-harvest handling, etc. Apprentices' own interests will help determine which areas to focus on. Along with most other employees, a first year Apprentice will spend the majority of the season planting, weeding, harvesting, and washing/packing.

We expect applicants to work 7-9 hours per day (depending on the time of year), and 32-40+ hours per week.  Regular, moderate lifting is expected.  Applicants with prior chronic injuries should consider not applying for this job, as regularly being unable to participate in the work week is a major challenge for the small farm.  We generally give one week off to employees in the summer season, but also schedule random days off for morale boosting.

Every day on the farm allows for a lot of one on one time with the farmers.  We’ll also have at least 2 returning employees, each with 2+ years’ experience on our farm.  In the past, we’ve offered individual farm plots of employee experimentation, as well as tailoring skill learning with the interests of each individual as best as we can.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

$15/hr starting wage

All the farm fresh food you can eat.

No on-farm housing is offered. Generally the closest housing is located in Philomath or Corvallis.

QUALIFICATIONS

We need applicants to be open minded and ready to work.   Previous experience is usually a good thing, but not always.  Having a lot of energy, good stamina, and a positive attitude make for FUN days.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Our Priority is that all employees are treated fairly and given equal opportunities to excel. When we observe that an individual has a good attention to detail, and is careful, we offer them tractor training.  When we observe someone being more organized and clear in their communication, we try to offer them opportunities to lead others, and help make day to day decisions. Not everyone comes with the same baseline of strengths, but hopefully everyone will leave having been challenged and grown considerably. 

Elias and kiddo.

FOOD For Lane County Youth Farm- FULL FOR 2024

FOOD For Lane County Youth Farm- FULL FOR 2024

  • POSITION: 2 APPRENTICESHIPS 

  • PART TIME (30 hrs/week) 

  • APPROX START/END DATES: March - Nov

  • LOCATION: Eugene (Willamette Valley)

  • NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

  • VEHICLE REQUIRED? No, we are located close to public bus line.

  • ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Preferred. Will make accommodations if required.

  • LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English. Several of the staff speak some Spanish, but none are fluent.

We are a program of FOOD For Lane County (FFLC), the regional nonprofit food bank in our area. FFLC is a well respected and innovative organization with the mission of “Reducing hunger by engaging our community to create access to food”.  On the Youth Farm, we  cultivate 5 acres of diverse vegetable crops as well as approximately 70 mature fruit trees (apples, pears, Asian pears,plums), strawberries, thornless blackberries and a young blueberry patch. We are not certified organic, but we use all organic methods. We have two small tractors that we run on biodiesel that we use for discing, tilling, bed shaping and mowing.   Most other work on the farm is by hand, including transplanting, weeding, harvesting, and post-harvest handling.  We grow winter cover crops, and create our own compost.  Approximately half of our produce is delivered to the FOOD For Lane County warehouse for distribution through our network of partners to those experiencing food insecurity in our county.  The remainder we sell through a 170-member CSA, and an onsite produce stand on Saturdays, which includes an on-line store.  We also grow vegetable, flower and herb starts for two very large plant sale fundraisers each spring.

Our primary farm crew consists of a Farm Supervisor (20 years on staff), a Field Coordinator (11 years on staff), an Outreach Coordinator (4 years on staff) and an Assistant (1 year on staff), who work from mid-January-early December.  During the main growing season, we hire up to 16 teens to participate in a part-time work experience and job skills program where they attend classes and are trained to do farm work as well as operate our farmstand.  Some of our stellar youth are in leadership positions and return for up to 4 consecutive seasons. Our Gardens Program Manager oversees the program.  We also host numerous volunteer groups and individuals at our farm each year, which creates a dynamic and unpredictable element to our crew size on certain days of the week. Overall, our crew each day can range from 4-25 people, depending on the time of year.

The Youth Farm is located on a 10 acre site within Springfield city limits.  The land is owned by the local school district and is surrounded by single family homes, duplexes, apartment complexes and a city playground.  We share the land with a separately managed community garden as well as a garden project connected to Springfield School District. The only facilities on site are storage sheds, including several shipping containers, roofed, open-air structures, two walk-in coolers, and several high tunnels with over 16,000 square feet of growing space.  We are close to city bus lines and bike routes, and both downtown Springfield and Eugene are a 10 minute drive away.  The neighboring town of Eugene is a large college town with plenty of entertainment and recreation opportunities, including bike paths, fairly close-in hiking trails, lakes and rivers for boating.

Ted has been the farm supervisor/manager at the Youth Farm since 2004. He began his farming journey 25 years ago as an intern at Hey Bayles! Farm in Lorane, OR. After 2 seasons at Hey Bayles!,  he then participated in the Apprenticeship Program at the UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology.  He then returned to Hey Bayles! as a farm manager for 2 years before beginning at the Youth Farm. Ted is always seeking ways to improve our growing practices and systems while creating space for new leaders to develop and thrive. He really enjoys teaching the next generation of agricultural leaders and innovators. The other staff at the Youth Farm will also play a pivotal role in training and teaching Apprentices. As we like to say, “Team work, makes the dream work”.

The Youth Farm has been in operation for over 25 years, serving the community healthy food while creating opportunities for youth, beginning farmers and volunteers. We have worked with and trained well over 100 interns over the years. Many are still involved in agriculture, including some as farm owners.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Apprentices will be trained in various aspects of the operation including orchard care (pruning, fertilizing, thinning), nursery and greenhouse management, and growing a wide variety of annual produce (over 40 crops). Work will include seeding, planting, cultivation and weed management, fertilization, harvesting, wash/pack, irrigation set-up and watering, composting, CSA and market set up and distribution, and use of small farm equipment (root barrel washer, salad mix spinner, vacuum seeder, walk behind tillers, flame weeders and lawn care equipment).

Apprentices will also have the opportunity to help run our onsite produce stand, including set-up, take down and customer service.  They will be involved in packing boxes for our CSA customers, which we do 2 times per week for a 25 week season.

Depending on interest, Apprentices will have the opportunity to lead volunteers and youth participants once they are trained.

We would like apprentices to begin on  March 5, four days/week, either Tuesday-Friday or Wednesday-Saturday with some additional weekend duties on occasion.  We work from 9-5 or else 8-4, depending on the time of year.  An early start to the season will give Apprentices the opportunity to learn pruning on some of our fruit trees. They will also be integrally involved in preparations for our two plant sales, including seeding and tending starts, and organizing for the sales that occur in April and May. The apprenticeship will end between November 15-November 22.  Apprentices can request up to two weeks off, and will earn vacation time and paid holidays.

Our staff works alongside interns, and we train as we introduce new tasks.  We also have a curriculum of educational topics, including composting, nutrient management and soil testing, plant propagation and nursery management, orchard management and fruit tree pruning, crop planning and rotation, winter farming, greenhouse management and construction, irrigation, cultivation and weed management, food preservation, cover cropping and food insecurity. These on farm classes will supplement Rogue Farm Corps online Educational Event Series and weekend intensives.

Our Apprenticeship educational program consists of lectures, occasional field trips, hand-outs, literature review and mostly hands-on learning.  Our staff will work alongside the Apprentices, training as we introduce new tasks, and will be available for questions as they come up.  We do short daily morning check-in stretching circles as well as frequent meetings.  We do field walks monthly, and will do  our best to address topics that Apprentices are interested in.       

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

$17/hr for 30 hours/week.  Vacation time accrual, sick time, and holiday pay are included. Reimbursement of RFC tuition if complete the season. Farm produce and starts are provided as available. 

No housing is offered. Shared housing as well as apartments and studios can be found in both Eugene and Springfield. Check Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to get an idea.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Passion for organic farming, gardening or outdoor work

  • Previous experience in working with plants outdoors, agriculture, landscaping, etc. (Prefer 1-3 years experience)

  • Interest or experience in working with youth and community members

  • Ability to lift 50 pounds and perform physical farm tasks in adverse weather conditions

  • Excellent attention to detail

  • Good communication skills

  • Organized and reliable 

  • Share FFLC’s values of Compassion, Inclusion and Collaboration  

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Inclusion is one of the values of our organization, FOOD for Lane County.  We are all invested in and strive to create a  safe, open, productive work environment for everyone involved, and prioritize community building, straight forward communication, and validation and appreciation.

FOOD for Lane County has an Equity Manager, and all of our staff take monthly trainings which include: understanding privilege and inherent biases, microaggressions and how to interrupt them, racism and other forms of oppression, intersectionality, how to celebrate diversity, and creating equitable and inclusive workplaces.  In addition, our supervisors have received training in conflict resolution and neurodivergence.                                                                                                                                                                                   

Youth Farm staff.

Camas Swale- FULL FOR 2024

Camas Swale- FULL FOR 2024

  • POSITION: 2 APPRENTICESHIPS 

  • FULL TIME (36-40 hrs/week) 

  • APPROX START/END DATES: April/May - Oct/Nov

  • LOCATION: Eugene (Willamette Valley)

  • NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

  • VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

  • ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Visit preferred, or video interview if necessary.

  • LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, some staff competency in Spanish and French.

Camas Swale is owned by Amber and Jonah. Our farm grows vegetables for wholesale (grocers, restaurants, food hubs, distributors) and for Community Supported Agriculture (200-250 CSA families per year). With about 14 acres in rotation– about 10 acres are producing food at any time during the main season. To get this work done we use hand tools and four small tractors. We use a John Deere, a Kubota, an Allis Chalmers and a Farmall– the latter two are from the 1930s and have belly mounted implements for cultivating. The JD and Kubota pull primary soil working tools, we mostly use a spader and bed shaper for that. The JD has forks to move pallets around the farm which saves our backs! However most of the work is still done by hand. All harvesting is by hand and about half of the cultivation is with a variety of hoes. We are certified organic with Oregon Tilth and have always grown with awareness of organic because we value and enjoy use of natural materials, growing habitat for beneficials, cover cropping and not being around harsh chemicals! During the work week six to ten employees work on the farm from 8:00 - 5:30. In addition, about four volunteers are on the farm two mornings per week.

Our sixteen acre farm is located in the Willamette Valley of Oregon on river bottom loam. We are grateful to be located just 1 mile north of Coburg and 15 minutes to Eugene. All three of our neighbors have similar sized farms selling produce, nursery crops and/or flowers. You can see the Coburg hills from our fields and a big open sky. Migratory birds and birds of prey frequent the farm as well as small animals– some friend, some foe of the vegetable crops. We are a few miles from swim spots on the Mckenzie River. Owners Jonah and Amber along with their two children aged three and seven live on the farm. 

Jonah and Amber started farming on a small-scale farm, following bio-intensive methods of production yielding a high value per acre but it was intense on our bodies. Utilizing a mix of human power and tractor power has worked better for our staff and our bodies over the last ten years, while also meeting soil health goals. We keep a close eye on soil organic matter percentages, using our tillage implement minimally and returning plants to the soil through cover cropping, working past crops into the field, and through applying compost. Interests of owners besides being parents are, well– when we have time, we go on a hike or find the newest restaurant in town or see a music show or spend time with friends and family. 

The farm has a family friendly environment while also maintaining work efficiency, as this is a commercial production farm. There tend to be common interests amongst staff including appreciation for music and outdoor sports, and always a respect and support for one another regardless of race or gender identity. Diverse skills and people are very welcome. We often find that passionate workers have super strengths in at least one important area and we match skills with the task as possible – such as seeding or CSA packing.

Camas Swale Farm sprouted in 2009. The farm has operated from this location since 2015. Jonah and Amber both started farming about 20 years ago, as employees for other organic produce farms.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Everyone learns planting, cultivation, harvesting, washing/packing, and use of relevant tools. Rogue Farm Corps Apprentices will also get exposure to seeding, irrigation and some farm business management skills. Depending on strengths and interests of the Apprentice and the farm’s needs, staff often have the opportunity to take on special duties once adapted to the farm. 

We prefer full -time employees over part -time, but there is a place for part-time work. For this Apprenticeship we think that our typical full time schedule would best meet the needs of the program. Our full time employee schedule during the months of May - October is M-F, 8am - 5:30 with a 30 min- one hour lunch break daily. Training will be woven into the work day and we will make a schedule for dedicated training check-ins and trainings with specific experienced staff.

We will provide mentorship and training by teaching core concepts/skills, working alongside participant(s), demonstration, opportunities to gain independence, offering time for questions or field walks, regular check-ins/meetings, and two evaluation sessions.

Training will be coordinated by co-owner Amber. Some elements are best taught by owners Jonah (field management and maintenance lead) or Amber (business management and harvest lead). Others will be delegated to one of two experienced staff, Miranda (3rd season) and Jason (11th season). The mentor team approach collectively offers a well rounded experience for an Apprentice while not pulling any one person away from their regular duties on the farm. We look forward to meeting you.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

The wage for a first year Apprentice will be $14/hr (and up to $15 depending on experience– for example, if you have a full season or more of experience on a farm, we will adjust the starting wage). Our benefits include a gear stipend of $200, PTO, reimbursement of half of the RFC Apprenticeship fee amount if/when they complete the season, any farm-produced food). Scheduled time off is allowed and encouraged to promote a healthy balance of work and play but we define what is reasonable in our work agreement. Time off should be requested well in advance and approved and added to the staff calendar once approved. A reasonable amount would be 1-2 occasions of taking 1-2 days off per occasion in a coordinated fashion so that vacations do not overlap with other staff. 

No housing is offered. We are 10 minutes from Eugene and Springfield. Seasonal workers in the past have had good luck with finding housing via the traveling nurses portal and finding rooms in houses in Eugene where there are college students coming and going.

QUALIFICATIONS

We expect all employees to come to work on time and be a good listener during morning meetings and during training, to ask questions as needed and to stay focused on the goals of the day. Respect, kindness and good communication are very important as are the ability to learn and do the job efficiently. Our product is certified organic local produce that looks and tastes good and is very fresh. Providing this product requires good attention to detail balanced with efficient methods of production and harvest. If you take pride in doing a good job and love working on a team outside – this could be a good place for you. There is often an acclimation period, that's understood - and we are extra supportive during the onboarding time. But, we expect to see progress and to see that there is an interest in being an effective employee and apprentice.

 As for experience, we know that experienced employees come in the door with more dexterity in their hands and more understanding of what a good bunch of turnips looks like. Experience in related jobs or personal experience with vegetables should also be valued and expressed. We’ve had employees demonstrate plenty of transferable skills from working in restaurants and produce stores, for example.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We make our policies known in a document called Employee Work Agreement, this document includes how evaluations are done, time off policies and benefits and our process for making wage adjustments and hazardous work environment procedures and more.  Job roles are presented to all staff in a document called the Command Tree. 

Staff and owners are welcoming to each other every day at work. As owners we try to model communication that is kind, necessary and true. On the farm we do some things that foster community among workers including Wednesday staff lunches and occasional events. We do a few things that keep our produce accessible to all income levels – weekly donations to Burrito Brigade, a non-profit that makes thousands of burritos per week for the houseless in Eugene and Springfield, taking SNAP benefits for CSA payment, having a scholarship fund for low-income and having a Working CSA Member program. 

Amber and Jonah.

Goodfoot Farm- FULL FOR 2024

GOODFOOT FARM- FULL FOR 2024

  • POSITION: 1 APPRENTICESHIP 

  • FULL TIME (32-40 hrs/week) 

  • APPROX START/END DATES: June - November

  • LOCATION:Philomath (Willamette Valley)

  • NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

  • VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

  • ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Possibly.

  • LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English.

Beth is the primary operator of Goodfoot Farm. We grow mixed vegetables year round; some tree fruit, mostly apples and asian pears; blueberries.  Sales outlets include Farmers’ Market plus CSA that we run as a farm credit with market pickup.  Certified Biodynamic and Organic.  Some tractor cultivation; but the farm is mostly people powered.  Animals are incorporated into the biodynamic farm organism; layer hens for egg production and a few pet sheep that mow the lawn. Two resident horses and neighboring beef cattle provide the foundation of our composting/fertility program.  Farm crew (in addition to primary farmer) is 1-4 depending on time of year. Total farm crew hours (minus primary farmer) are about 5000 hours per year.

Rural community 30 minutes outside of college town; farm owners live on the farm (grown children are gone).  Apprentices will have access to forest and river.  There is some farming in the local community; lots of neighboring parcels are in forestry.

Beth, the primary farmer has been farming or on the land most of her life in some capacity.  Her assorted educational background includes a graduate degree in Plant Pathology.  The farmer and farm philosophy is aligned with biodynamic agriculture, sociocracy.  Goodfoot Farm’s goal is to implement an agricultural model that is ecologically sound, socially responsible, and economically viable.  The farm has been at market for 12 seasons.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Apprentices will be trained in almost all aspects of the farm production system; limits would be in 4 wheel tractor use (training/use in 2 wheel tractors) and irrigation.  Farm operations are conducted with a management system called holacracy which supports a high degree of autonomy and ownership.

Training is pretty comprehensive and rigorous as farmhands are expected to work with a great deal of independence and autonomy and are also expected to be able to delegate and coordinate others when needed to complete their roles/tasks.  Training is pretty well rounded with verbal instruction, modeling/demonstration, and written resources.  Management system based on holacracy.  Check-ins and field walks happen regularly.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

$18/hr starting wage with potential for end of season bonus to bring annual hourly wage to $20/hr.  32 hours paid vacation for full season work; unlimited sick PTO.  Free produce; opportunity to trade at market.  Most work gear provided.  Potential for reimbursement of RFC fees.

No on-farm housing is offered. Corvallis is a college town 30 minutes away; other communities are also about 20-30 minutes away.  There are limited local, rural opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS

No prior experience necessary, but we do need to understand the interest/commitment of potential applicants. Goodfoot has a desire to work with individuals who are seriously exploring farming as an occupation.  

Preferred qualities include a high attention to detail, ability to manage competing priorities, self-organized, strategic thinker, systems thinker, high degree of professionalism in work and person, excellent communicator, and an interest in meeting people where they are at.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

We do not have traditional hierarchical labor systems; the farm operates on principles of sociocracy.  We pay fair wages.

Beth Hoinacki

Lucky Crow Farm

Lucky Crow Farm

  • POSITION: 1 APPRENTICESHIP

  • FULL TIME (40 hrs/week) 

  • APPROX START/END DATES: 4/1 - 10/30

  • LOCATION: Monmouth (Portland Chapter , Mid-Willamette Valley)

  • NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

  • VEHICLE REQUIRED? No, just reliable transportation.

  • ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Yes.

  • LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English.

Lucky Crow Farm operates a 1-acre urban farm in the heart of a small neighborhood in Monmouth, OR. Adjacent to the neighborhood (past the urban growth boundary) is the 60-acre, rural farm where our greenhouses, pack shed and cold storage is located. We spend the majority of our time alternating between these two locations with an occasional trip (about once a month) to an urban farm plot we manage in Salem.

The farms in Monmouth are within a five-minute drive to downtown Monmouth and Downtown  Independence. They are both small towns with populations of about 10,000. There are plenty of outdoor activities available in the nearby area including hiking and kayaking on the Willamette River, which runs right through Independence. Monmouth houses Western Oregon University so there is a college town feel. Independence has a bustling downtown. A trolly was recently acquired to shuttle residents between both towns (for free!) The farm crew members live nearby and commute to the farm each day. 

We grow mixed vegetables for a 75 member CSA, two farmers’ markets (Corvallis and Independence), restaurant accounts and our online store. We do some of our bed prep at the urban farm manually, while  our larger farm utilizes tractor implements much more frequently. Though we are not certified organic, we employ natural farming methods and do not use synthetic chemicals or fertilizers. Our small farm crew is made up of Eden (owner/manager), 1 market employee, one full-time employee, and 1-2 part-time employee(s). 

Eden’s family has been farming in the Willamette Valley for six generations. She went to Scripps College in Claremont, California to pursue a degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Policy. After school she managed farmers’ markets in the Bay Area and worked on livestock/vegetable/tree farms in California and Washington. She started her own operation in 2017 on family land. Eden’s mission is to feed her diverse, local community delicious, nutrient rich food seasonally. She is driven by her investment in environmental sustainability, social equity and economic profitability. As a young, queer, female farmer, she embraces her responsibility to set an example and to create a  working model for sustainable food production and thriving rural business within her hometown and beyond.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Apprentices will receive training/participate in: bed preparation, harvest, planting, wash/pack, farmers’ markets,  CSA distribution, customer interaction, marketing, pest management, nutrient management, and propagation. Eden does most tractor/machinery work.

Full-time employees are expected to work 40 hour weeks from around the beginning of April through the end of October. Spring days are generally shorter (with an average of 20-30 hours per week, depending on weather). Employees are not expected to work more than 40 hours in a week, even in the height of summer. Taking vacation days (unpaid) is permitted with advanced notice.  

As we switch tasks regularly, training takes place throughout the day as needed. Apprentices are regularly required to sit, kneel, stand, bend, climb and reach; regularly lift up to 50 pounds  without assistance; have the ability to work outside in all weather conditions, often for long durations; be capable of performing repetitive tasks with endurance. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Appropriate gear is required for all weather conditions. 

Beyond our scheduled training sessions, Apprentices will work one-on-one with either Eden or an experienced staff member every day. We are committed to teaching as we work and having impromptu training sessions when needed. We provide regular check-ins and can make time for meetings/questions if requested. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: 

• Detail oriented and fast learner 

• Self-motivated and able to streamline workflow 

• Ability to work efficiently alone or in a group 

• Experienced/licensed driver 

• Excellent interpersonal/communication skills and willingness to work with a diverse group of people 

• Ability to keep clear, handwritten and electronic records 

• Positive attitude in all types of weather 

• Commitment to work entire season (with potential for unpaid vacation time) 

• Organized and thorough 

Preferred: 

• 1-3 years of prior farm work 

• Strong love of food, nutrition and healthy local economies 

• Manual transmission operation 

• Basic mechanics 

Apprentices are required to have their own transportation.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS 

Hourly rate starts at $15, depending on experience.

Each employee receives a CSA share.

The farm does not offer Apprentice housing. As Monmouth is a college town there are plenty of seasonal, diverse housing options depending on the time of year. Past employees have lived in their own studio apartments, campus housing and in a house with roommates. 

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Eden is queer-identifying farmer who strives to empower those who are not  historically/fairly represented in agriculture. Lucky Crow, first and foremost, is a safe and inclusive space for anyone interested in farming and local food economies. We believe a more diverse and equitable food production system is imperative in our work towards a sustainable future. Eden is committed to maintaining open communication with all employees to ensure they feel safe and heard.

Eden