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.