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