Sweet Water Farm

Sweet Water FARM

• 1 APPRENTICESHIP

• FULL TIME (35 hours/week)

• START/END DATES:  June - December 

• $17/HR

• LOCATION: Hugo  (Rogue Valley Chapter)

• YEARS IN PRODUCTION: 19

• PREVIOUS YEARS HOSTING:  1

• PRACTICES: Organic Practices (Not Certified) 

• ACRES IN CULTIVATION: 2.5

• Vegetables, Cut Flowers, Fruit, Hemp

• ON-FARM HOUSING? Yes

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, Spanish  

The mission at Sweet Water Farm is to grow healthy food and take care of a special piece of the Earth at the same time.  We are honored and fortunate to be in the position to take on this beautiful and challenging task.  Both of our children were born on and fed from this land. The farm has been a conduit to connect with and nourish countless people in our community for the past 19 years.  We intend to continue using Sweet Water Farm to learn and push the limits of sustainable food production in the Rogue Valley.  We aim for Sweet Water Farm to be a place where humans can connect with the endless cycles of the Earth and return to their lives with purpose and energy.  

@sweetwaterfarmhugo

Farm overview

Sweet Water Farm is located in Hugo, Oregon about 15 minutes north of Grants Pass and 15 minutes east of the Rogue River.  Cool and wet winters contrast with hot and dry summers.  Spring and fall are world-class beautiful and mild.  Pine and oak savannah is the native ecosystem here with fir, cedar, and manzanita as other dominant species.

The home site is ¾ of an acre of sloping 75-foot beds for annual vegetable production, a circle garden with perennial flowers and asparagus, and a small variety of fruit trees and berries.  We also lease 2 acres from our next-door neighbor which has a section of 100-foot beds and a section of 200-foot beds for annual vegetable production plus potatoes, onions, winter squash, garlic, and hemp.  We have a propagation hoop house and two hoop houses for hot-weather crops in the spring and summer and cold-weather crops in the fall and winter.

We use a BCS and a 4-wheel Kabota for soil prep and mowing. We aim to leave soils covered with growing plants, mulch, or tarps as much as possible to limit erosion and preserve soil life. We only apply OMRI-certified amendments and compost to the soil. Lots of 5-gallon buckets are lifted, carried, and dumped at Sweet Water Farm.  Weeding and cultivation in beds are all done by hand and hand tools. Transplanting is done by hand, but this year we are going to experiment with the paperpot transplanter.

Sweet Water Farm is entering its 19th year as a primary vendor at the Grants Pass Growers Market. This farmers market is a bustling event every Saturday all year round and is the oldest market in the state of Oregon. We also provide produce for a few local restaurants, a natural food store, and a food co-op.  

Plans for 2025 include a half-acre expansion of veggie production, construction of a 90’x24’ foot hoop house and a 20’x18’ equipment building, the raising of a new flock of chickens and a couple of pigs, and planting of fruit trees, medicinals, and perennials. 

Sam and Denise live in the main house on the property with their 14-year-old daughter Ivory, 2 dogs Benny and Ricky, and a cat Pedro. Their 18-year-old son Ari lives in his own house and takes care of a small flock of chickens. There is also a house that is occupied by our friends-a couple in their 30s with a 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter.

Training and Expectations

We will teach Apprentices every aspect of running a successful season of farming.  

These include:

• Farming mindset and self-care strategy

• Understanding and implementing a full-year planting calendar/schedule

• Understanding time/labor requirements regarding calendar/schedule

• Record keeping

• Seed propagation and prop-house management

• Soil preparation and transplanting

• Soil cultivation and weed management

• Greenhouse management and trellising 

• Cut Flower cultivation and bouquet/floral design

• Harvesting,  washing, and packing of produce

• Growers’ market setup and marketing

The Apprentice will be expected to work 35 hours a week, split into five 7-hour days, with two days off per week. During the height of the season, the Apprentice may work extra hours if desired. A week off for a vacation mid-season can be scheduled. Tasks are physically challenging and repetitive at times, but the Apprentice will not be asked to do anything Sam and Denise have not done countless times each year for decades. The Apprentice will be taught body positioning for all tasks to maximize efficiency, avoid injury, and increase strength.

Apprentice will be integral to the success of Sweet Water Farm for the 2025 season.  As we plan to increase yields this year, develop farm infrastructure, and grow more food and independence than ever, Denise and Sam will develop a schedule and plan that is specific and realistic and aims to coincide with the non-negotiable flow of the Earth. As planting and harvesting dates are crucial to success, the Apprentice will be given significant responsibility in making this plan a reality. They will help Sam and Denise seed, germinate, transplant, irrigate, weed, harvest, clean, and sell hundreds of thousands of plants. Getting healthy food to the people is the mission. Simply put, this is how you can make farming an occupation that allows you the freedom to be your own boss and work from the land where you live. Managing the landscape in a way that keeps things neat and organized, manageable, productive, and beautiful while also doing so in a way that nourishes the Earth will be our goal. 

When the Apprentice arrives on June 1, much of the initial steps will already be rolling for the year. The first two large veggie successions, storage onions, leeks, the main flower patch, five salad/lettuce plantings, and one greenhouse will already be planted. The Apprentice will step right in and take over many of the day-to-day tasks that keep the farm running. Maintenance/Mowing Monday focuses on keeping the seeding and soil prep schedule flowing and the grass and edges mowed and trimmed. Trellis/Transplant Tuesday focuses on trellising greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers as well as getting the next transplants in the ground. Weeding Wednesday keeps our beds cultivated and our plants healthy and charging without too much competition. Thorough Thursday is our day to finish any needed tasks and start harvesting for Market. Friday is all harvesting, washing, and packing of produce.  Saturday is Market day when we get to bring the goods to the people!

We will harvest and cure garlic as well as transplant the summer veggie succession, melons, and winter squash in June.  Every 2 weeks we will transplant head lettuce and salad mix. In July we will transplant our second to last veggie succession, keep the onion and leek patch well-weeded, and plant out our hemp field.  In August we will transplant our final fall succession of overwintering veggies, harvest and cure storage onions, and seed overwintered onions. In September we will start to enjoy the warm days, cool nights, and the bounty of fall, harvest the potatoes and begin to pick and cure the hemp crop. In October we will harvest and cure winter squash, flip a greenhouse from tomatoes to greens, and pick sensitive crops and dried flowers before the freezes hit.  In November we will plant garlic and overwintered onions, fill up another greenhouse with cold-weather veggies, and clean the fields up and seed cover crops before things get too wet. In December we will rest and get ready to do it all again!

QUALIFICATIONS

The Apprentice must have at least two full seasons of farming experience and have the goal of operating their own farm in the future.  

Compensation / ACCOMMODATIONs

We will start apprentices at $17/hour.  The Apprentice receives 15 minutes of paid self-care per day. Accommodation is a tiny house on the property with electricity, a kitchen, a shower, a sleeping loft, and a composting toilet for $600/month. The cabin is separate from other housing on the farm, is private, and has a nice little deck.  

Equity and Inclusion

We appreciate anyone who wants to help us in the mission to grow healthy food and care for the Earth. Sweet Water Farm operates with the utmost respect for the people we employ and interact with in the community. We encourage honest and open communication and everyone is given equal opportunity to provide feedback and air grievances.  We do not judge others for who they are, and we expect the same in return. 

Sam and Denise at the Grants Pass Growers Market

Runnymede Farm

Runnymede Farm

• 1 APPRENTICESHIP

• PART TIME/FULL TIME (24-40 hours/week)

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

• $15/HR

• LOCATION: Rogue River (Rogue Valley Chapter)

• YEARS IN PRODUCTION: 25

• PREVIOUS YEARS HOSTING: 5

• PRACTICES: Organic Practices (Not Certified), Mechanized/Tractor Farming, Winter Farming

• ACRES IN CULTIVATION: 9

• Diversified Vegetable, Fruit, Dairy, Poultry (Eggs), Cut Flowers, Nursery Stock, Value-Added / Processing

• ON-FARM HOUSING? No

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English

• Women-Owned/Operated, Veteran-Owned/Operated

Runnymede Farm is well known for our fresh produce and nursery business in the local Rogue River community.  We strive to provide the Rogue Valley with high quality, local food while being good stewards to our land.  The farm uses intuition and intensive, chemical-free, non-certified organic practices to produce a wide variety of crops on their 10 acres, including vegetables, fruit, cut flowers, nursery plants, eggs, and dairy.

@runnymede.farm

FARM OVERVIEW

Runnymede farm is located in the beautiful Evans Valley of Southern Oregon, just 2 miles outside the town of Rogue River, a 10 minute drive to Grants Pass and a 20 minute drive to Medford. The 10 acres comprises 5 acres of pasture, 1 acre of wooded forest, 3 acres of hoop houses, nursery space, and growing fields, and 1 acre of living quarters. Teri and Arthur White, the farm’s owners, live on the farm with their dog Leche and the other farm animals. The Rogue Valley is a beautiful place at all times of the year, with plenty of hiking, river floats, and nature to explore.

Runnymede grows row crops and flowers in our fields and hoop houses.  We also have a small orchard of pear trees and blackberries, as well as a nursery with annual and perennial flowers, vegetable starts, fruit trees, bushes, and ornamental bushes and trees. 

Each year, Runnymede raises a new round of chicks for egg production.  There are about 15 goats bred for raw goat milk, and two calves to help maintain the pasture.  

Produce, eggs, nursery starts, and plants sell at 3 local farmer’s markets (Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass), as well as selling produce for a few other local farms. We do a 5 week CSA in the winter months. We also do on farm sales of our raw milk, eggs, and nursery stock.  

Due to the scale and intensity of the plantings, field prep is done with a tractor, while all other tasks are performed by hand with basic tools.  The farm employs 2 full-time employees, 1 part-time employee, and hires additional seasonal help as it’s needed.

The farm is operated by husband and wife team, Arthur and Teri. Together, they have over 25 years of farming and marketing experience. They have been on the farm since 1999. 

Nora Kendall is the primary mentor for the RFC Apprentice and was once herself a RFC Apprentice! Nora started working at Runnymede in 2021, and once completed with the RFC program, was hired on full time at the farm. She is now the field manager, organizes the daily on-farm operations, as well as works 2 of the 3 markets. Nora enjoys the diversity farming brings to each day, and appreciates being able to spend the days on her feet being active.  She is in the beginning years of starting her own farm, and loves educating others about farming and the importance of local food.  Nora also lives in Rogue River with her husband and looks forward to growing her own farm business in the years to come.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Apprentices joining the crew at Runnymede can expect to be exposed to all tasks involved in operating a small-scale, diverse, mixed production farm. Those tasks will include animal husbandry (including milking and milk handling) and planting, cultivation, harvesting, packing, and farmers market sales of produce, fruit, and nursery products. Additionally, there are a variety of farm-related construction projects here available for Apprentices to participate in if they are interested. We are looking for a market employee to operate our Saturday market booth in Grants Pass, a great opportunity if the right Apprentice is open to it! 

On-farm training time consists of between 24-40 hours/week for an Apprenticeship position, depending on the applicant, and will include some weekends and holidays. Training will be offered as RFC participants work alongside the host farmers and employees. They will work alongside the host farmers and employees, with some independent work as well, especially as the season progresses. The farm has many facets, and apprentices are welcome to gravitate toward the areas that interest them. Apprentices are given more leeway whenever possible in choosing their work than farm employees. Apprentices joining the crew at Runnymede can expect to be exposed to all tasks involved in operating a small-scale, diverse, mixed-production farm. 

The Apprentice will have tasks demonstrated to them clearly and thoroughly.  We require applicants come with no prior bias, and we may explain tasks that they have previous experience with to ensure it is done the way we like it. We are not providing instruction in biology, botany, or zoology. We are providing on the job experience from which apprentices will have to use their own initiative to further or codify their education.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants seeking employment at Runnymede Farm must be mature, serious in their pursuit of farming, and physically capable of lifting heavy objects and being active and on their feet for long days. They must be capable of working independently without constant supervision. A positive attitude that brings a calm presence amongst the employees and animals is a must.

We encourage Apprentices to explore and enjoy Southern Oregon’s beauty, its proximity to the coast, the redwoods, the cascades, and the desert. We encourage Apprentices to make friends in the wider Rogue Farm Corps community and share experiences to fully understand that farming, like life, has many paths.

We prefer an applicant who can stay from March - November but can be flexible on start and end dates as needed. We prefer an applicant to visit in person before a placement decision is made. If you will hire on without an on farm visit, we will have an interview,  perhaps multiple interviews. 

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

Apprentices will start at $15/hr.

We do not provide On-Farm Housing.  Housing can be tight, but rentals are available in the area. Non-local applicants are encouraged to come early to get settled. We can provide a reference for employment and character for housing applications. 

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Our farm encourages and supports applicants from all backgrounds and is committed to creating a safe and supportive work environment. Runnymede is happy to share our knowledge of farming with anyone with an open mind towards learning and the world around them.  

One of the foundations of nature is variety, and as such, Runnymede Farm also welcomes all souls committed to tolerance, non-violence, and ethical and moral human values.

PAST APPRENTICE TESTIMONIALS

“[Arthur and Teri provided] a clear schedule and list of tasks. [They hosted] a welcoming environment and awesome coworkers… open to ideas and feedback from employees.” - 2021

Teri and Art White (Photo: David Hampton Photography)

Farm Mentor Nora Dennehy with one of the Goats at Runnymede

Valley Flora Farm

VALLEY FLORA FARM

• 1 APPRENTICESHIP

• FULL TIME (40 hours/week)

• APPROX START/END DATES: May  - December 

• $15/HR

• LOCATION: Langlois  (Satellite Farm)

• YEARS IN PRODUCTION: 18

• PREVIOUS YEARS HOSTING:  1 

• PRACTICES: Organic Practices (Not Certified), Mixed Power (Draft Powered, Mechanized/Tractor Farming), Low-Till

• ACRES IN CULTIVATION: 6

• Vegetables, Fruit, Culinary Herbs, Medicinal Herbs, Value-Added, Agrotourism

• ON-FARM HOUSING? Possibly

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, Spanish

• Women-Owned/Operated

Valley Flora is a highly diversified fresh produce farm located 2 miles outside of the small town of Langlois (population 300) on the beautiful southern Oregon coast. The farm is deeply dedicated to ecological, climate-forward farming principles and practices, and we play a central role in our local food system in this rural corner of the state. Our crew is tight-knit and hard-working, and we strive to create a fun and supportive workplace for everyone here. 

https://www.valleyflorafarm.com/

@valley.flora

FARM OVERVIEW

Valley Flora Farm encompasses 90 acres in a beautiful, quiet river valley, 4 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. Of that acreage, 40 acres are upland forest, 30 acres are in pasture, and the remaining 20 acres is rich river bottomland where we cultivate all of our row crops and orchard crops. The farm is nestled in a special microclimate where cool-weather crops thrive, but where we also have enough summer warmth to grow eggplant, sweet corn, peppers, and tomatoes outdoors - in spite of our proximity to the ocean. It’s a lovely climate to work and play in.

The farm is surrounded by natural beauty, with numerous coastal rivers running undammed from the coast range to the sea; uncrowded beaches; wild dunes and forests. The farm is 20 minutes from the picturesque coastal towns of Port Orford (to the south) and Bandon (to the north). We’re five miles from Floras Lake, an epicenter of kite and wind-surfing. There is also nearby mountain biking, surfing, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. Floras Creek, which runs the entire length of the farm, offers numerous summertime swimming holes and wintertime salmon spawning grounds.

Valley Flora’s production is highly diversified, and so is our marketing. We distribute our food via four distinct sales channels: 

• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA): Valley Flora operates a 140-member CSA from June through December during our main season, and a 70+ member winter CSA from January to May. We participate in the Double Up Food Bucks program to help break down barriers to fresh produce in our low income community.

• Farmstand & U-Pick: We have a bustling onsite farmstand that’s open from May to December, and a busy strawberry and flower u-pick that’s open to the public from June through October.

• Direct Sales: We harvest and pack orders for local stores, co-ops, and restaurants year-round.

• Foodbanks: Thanks to an Oregon Foodbank grant and some long-standing local partnerships, we distribute produce to four local foodbanks and community fridges every week.

The farm adheres to all the standards, rules, and principles of organic production but are not third party certified. We practice reduced tillage, have an unbridled passion for cover crops and biodiversity, and we do everything we can to minimize our carbon footprint and avoid waste. We’re a mixed power farm, relying on a combo of tractor power, solar power, human power, and draft horse power (Jack and Lily are Zoë’s team of Belgian/Morgan draft horses who work in harness on the farm). Our farm infrastructure is powered by a 12kW solar array that sits on the roof of our barn and runs our greenhouses, walk-in coolers, irrigation pumps and more.

We typically have six folks on our crew during our main season (some part-time, some full-time), from May through December. In the winter, we work a scaled-back schedule, employing 3-4 employees who stay with us year round but reduce their hours in the winter months.

Zoë has been farming for over 20 years, first as a hired hand on farms in Massachusetts and California, then as the crew manager at Sauvie Island Organics near Portland. In 2008 she returned to her birthplace on Floras Creek to start her own farm business in collaboration with her mother (Betsy) and sister (Abby), who both grow produce on the same family land. Abby grows salad greens and manages the orchard. Betsy focuses primarily on greenhouse production of peak-of-summer crops (tomatoes, basil, zucchini). Zoë and her crew round out the rest of the production, from artichokes to potatoes to strawberries to broccoli (and much, much more). Together they market collectively as Valley Flora. After 18 years in business, the farm is thriving and ever-evolving

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Every person at Valley Flora is a crucial, invaluable part of our team. We all work hard, with the crew usually putting in 8-10 hours per day during our summer peak. Apprentices typically start in May and work full-time through October with us. By the end of October things ease up a bit and we sometimes reduce hours slightly for November and December. 

At Valley Flora, we “train-by-doing” and there is education built into every day, particularly when new employees are diving into a task for the first time. We always try to ensure that our crew members feel confident and capable before being set loose on a project. New employees spend a lot of time working alongside our seasoned crew to learn the ins and outs of everything we do. 

Because the farm’s production and marketing are so diverse, our daily to-do lists are ever-changing and multifaceted, which helps mix up the physical and mental demands of the job. That said, it is very physical work with certain intense seasonal peaks (for instance, harvesting the heavy storage crops of fall, or the constant weekly transplanting of spring/early summer). To help build strength and physical health, we train our employees not only in farming techniques, but also in proper body mechanics (we are fans of a set of body weight exercises called Foundation Training to keep our backs healthy and strong). 

Apprentices work as a member of the field crew on all manner of tasks that are part of operating a diversified produce farm:  

• Daily harvest for our 140-member CSA, farmstand, and direct sale accounts. The farm grows over 100 different crops, each requiring its own technique, tools, and skill set for harvest. Valley Flora has a long-standing reputation for high quality produce and we strive to uphold that. We’re sticklers for quality and consistency, so Apprentices are taught standard bunch size, standard weight, and quality control for every single crop in ever-changing conditions. We need Apprentices to achieve these quality standards while moving as efficiently and quickly as possible. It’s a steep and challenging learning curve that requires keen attention to detail, awareness of pacing, fast and nimble hands, and a willingness to accept and integrate constructive feedback throughout the season. We are at core a lean commercial operation (not a hobby farm), and hustle is part of every single day.

• Post-harvest handling: Apprentices are part of processing and packing the 100+ crops we harvest for four distinct sales channels, including CSA, farmstand, direct sales and foodbanks. Similar to harvest, the wash/packout process is distinct and unique for each crop and it changes with each season, as well as with daily weather conditions. Apprentices will learn post-harvest handling skills that rely on our dunk tank, wash table, sorting tables, dry curing room, and three climate-controlled walk-in coolers. You’ll learn to use various scales, different wash techniques, specific packout systems, and be trained in the selection of appropriate packaging materials, standards, and organization. Everyone receives annual food safety training.

• Weekly Fieldwork: These tasks include transplanting, fertilizing, trellising, mowing, weed control, pest management, irrigation, and plant care. Apprentices will be trained in operating the equipment necessary to perform these tasks safely and efficiently, including mowers, weedeaters, wheel hoes, oscillating stirrup hoes, collinear hoes, Japanese hand weeders, drop spreader, flame weeder, pressure washer, and hand trucks. Other than our delivery van, all our farm vehicles have manual transmissions so Apprentices will learn to drive stick if they don’t already know how.

• Weekly Delivery:  Apprentices will be trained to safely load, drive and complete our delivery route in our Sprinter van (weekly deliveries to wholesale customers and CSA pickup sites). 

• U-Pick Management. Apprentices will be responsible for overseeing flower and strawberry u-pick operations one or two days/week. This includes setting up the u-pick stand, communicating and interacting with customers to orient them to the u-pick, answering questions, and being the public face of the farm.

• Farmstand Management: The Apprentice might help manage our biweekly farmstand, including packing orders, setting up the farmstand display, selling produce, and tending the till. Our farmstand manager is a very public-facing role, involving lots of interaction with the public.

QUALIFICATIONS

Farming can be likened to an endurance sport that has some sprinting thrown into the mix (except our “sporting event” happens every day for a solid 8 months of the year). We try to cultivate physical and mental strength amongst our team so that we can “do hard things.” We are looking for someone who is up to this challenge and:

• Is a hard worker who loves spending their day outside, regardless of the weather (and has significant previous outdoor physical work experience on their resume).

• Knows how to hustle and optimize efficiency in their work.

• Demonstrates keen attention to detail, excellent observation skills, and an awareness of pacing.

• Is reliable, on-time, honest and kind.

• Has strong communication and listening skills.

• Has a good sense of humor and team spirit.

• Can gracefully accept and integrate constructive feedback whenever it’s provided, without the ego getting in the way.

• Is equally comfortable and productive working on a team or independently.

• Is calm and adaptable in the face of the unexpected. 

• Is not inclined to stir up human drama (plants and the weather provide drama enough on a small farm!).

We don’t require previous farming experience but a passion and deep curiosity about sustainable agriculture is very useful. For us, it’s more important that someone has the grit and good humor to learn new tasks and stick with it through the challenges of an entire season than it is to already know how to do the job (often folks who have previous farming experience have to relearn our systems anyway). 

Applicants should be in strong physical condition, capable of safely lifting 50 pounds, and able to squat, bend, lift, carry, and kneel for prolonged amounts of time over an 8-10 hour work day, five days a week, for the entirety of the season. Ability to drive a stick shift is VERY helpful, since our primary farm truck has a standard transmission.

We strive to be a warm, fun, welcoming workplace where our sense of team is paramount. To that end, it’s super important that new employees are team-oriented, but they also need to be able to work independently and productively on their own (there are plenty of tasks that crew members tackle solo throughout the week).

We are all constantly striving to improve ourselves, our efficiency and the farm’s productivity, so good problem-solving skills, innovative creativity, humility, and critical thinking are exciting traits in a Valley Flora applicant.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

We work closely with our local Small Business Development Center, which offers a three month On-the-Job Training wage subsidy for new hires. Applicants who qualify for that program will start at $15/hour. Otherwise, new hires typically start at the local  minimum wage (currently $13.70/hour), with a wage reevaluation after the first month to assess the possibility of a performance-based raise. 

All employees have access to farm produce, and between June and December get a weekly CSA share from the farm, valued at $1000+/season. Employees also have unlimited access to “house” produce (seconds or grade B produce that doesn’t meet our sales standards), as well as gleaning opportunities throughout the season. For employees who complete the entire season we give out an end-of-year bonus, calculated based on the farm’s profitability and the number of hours worked. The farm will also reimburse half of an Apprentice’s RFC tuition if they complete the season.

Local housing options are somewhat limited, however we are well-networked in the community so it’s very possible that we could help a new employee find housing if on-farm housing is not available.

There is limited cell service at the farm, depending on the cell carrier. We have Wi-Fi that is available to everyone on the farm.  

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Valley Flora is committed to open, non-violent communication and does not tolerate any form of bigotry, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, or discrimination, ever.

Since the beginning, the farm has been a bilingual workplace. English and Spanish are both spoken everyday and Zoe makes a concerted effort to ensure that language never leaves anyone out of the loop. We are owned and managed by women, and we make our absolute best effort to give everyone on our team opportunities to take ownership of various aspects of the farm and to feel appreciated for their contribution to the farm. We try to assign tasks based on what people are excited and qualified to work on and never along gender-biased lines. We actively solicit input and feedback from the crew to make sure that the farm is being managed in a way that feels good, fair, inclusive and respectful. 

Being a small farm, our crew is very familial, which gives us a lot of opportunity to grow and learn together in wonderful ways. 

PAST APPRENTICE TESTIMONIALS

“Zoe worked alongside us and trained us on a number of things, which I really appreciated. The two other long-term farm crew members have been great in teaching/training me as well, but I know Zoe made an effort to be there with us as much as she could. That showed me that she cared about my learning and progression as a farmer, and she always made time to thoroughly answer any questions.” -2023

Zoë, Jen, Alexa, Sarah, Allen, Roberto, Abby, Bets.

Saur Farming

SAUR FARMING

• 2 APPRENTICESHIPS

• FULL TIME (40 hours/week)

• APPROX START/END DATES: April - November

• $16/HR

• LOCATION: Parkdale  (Portland Chapter)

• YEARS IN PRODUCTION: 14

• PREVIOUS YEARS HOSTING:  New Host Farm

• PRACTICES: Organic Practices (Not Certified), Draft Powered

• ACRES IN CULTIVATION: 2

• Vegetable Production, Culinary Herbs, Cut Flowers

• ON-FARM HOUSING? No 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English

• BIPOC owned/operated, Women owned/operated

Our goal has been to build healthy community through healthy soil and food. We farm using organic methods but are not certified. Cover crops, compost, and ecological habitat projects help to maintain soil health and biodiversity. Our fields of veggies are farmed intensively using much hand work. We are a detail oriented farm crew that strive to do good work; we value clean rows and high quality crops. In order to make a living farming, us and our crew must be efficient in all we do; working intently, smartly, and quickly is the name of the game. 

We take ‘field trips’ throughout the season to either do something fun or to go check out other farms in the area. We work hard but laugh a lot and have a great time. You will feel like family by the end of the season.

Saurfarming.com

FARM OVERVIEW

Anastasia and Ben started Saur Farming in 2011 just outside of Hood River, Oregon. After four seasons we moved up the valley to Parkdale, where we have been farming since. We farm on 10 acres; 2 acres in veggie production, 2 in pasture, and 5 in forest. We provide produce and cut flowers to our local thriving Farmers Market, a small CSA, and to many restaurants and wholesale customers in the area. 

We use draft horses for many tasks around the farm including soil preparation and cultivation, compost and manure spreading, forest management, etc. We also use a BCS walk-behind tractor for mowing and final bed preparation.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Our crew members will be doing nearly everything on the farm, including  soil and bed prep, transplanting, trellising, weeding, harvesting, manure management, wash & pack, etc. We do not require previous experience, but we do require that staff come with an attitude that is ready to learn and continually progress in their skills and tasks. You will learn a ton about organic systems, small scale efficiency, and the thousand day to day tasks it takes to run a small vegetable farm.

Our staff does not work with the horses on a daily basis, but they do interact with them at times throughout the season. 

The work will be full time during the main season (May through mid November), with possible part-time work before and after. Expect lots of manual labor: lifting, carrying, bending, shoveling, etc. Staff needs to be able to lift and carry 50 lb bags repeatedly. We work outside all day long throughout the season, so being able to work joyfully in all weather is essential. We are a small, tight crew where each member is a large part of what makes this farm function and if staff doesn’t show up for work the entire farm suffers. We can accommodate some time off requests, but that should be the exception not the rule, come ready to work.

Training and teaching will consist of daily morning meetings, in field instruction, as well as weekly check-ins to ensure the apprentice is understanding the week’s work. You will be learning from the farmers as well as our crew leader. There will be monthly ‘classes’ for bigger picture teaching that will address the seasonal dynamics of the farm and general organic farm practices. We love to teach and encourage our staff to ask questions and be inquisitive. 

We also have seasonal employee reviews where we give feedback on job performance as well as provide time to listen to each staff member. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Apprentices must have good communication skills, stable mental health, the ability to follow directions and take feedback (not always positive). Attention to detail, good physical abilities, and an overall pleasant demeanor and good attitude is mandatory. You must work well with a team and show up everyday with a desire to learn and do good work. 

Communication is a key component for how our farm is run. We communicate our expectations and instructions and expect our crew to be communicating with us. 

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

Starting wage is $16/hr with reviews and probable raises throughout the season. We also offer bonuses throughout the season based on performance, and an end of year bonus for those who finish out the season. 

No housing offered. Housing in this area can be challenging (expensive), but we do know a lot of people in the area and can help to find something.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Farming on a small & sustainable scale often attracts people from different backgrounds and marginalized communities, everyone is welcome here.

Anastasia and Ben.

FOOD For Lane County Youth Farm

FOOD For Lane County Youth FarM

• 2 APPRENTICESHIPS

• PART TIME (28  hours/week)

• APPROX START/END DATES: March - November

• $17/HR

• LOCATION: Eugene (Willamette Valley Chapter)

• YEARS IN PRODUCTION: 29

• PREVIOUS YEARS HOSTING:  1

• PRACTICES: Organic Practices (Not Certified)

• ACRES IN CULTIVATION: 5

• Vegetable Production, Culinary Herbs, Fruit, Nursery Stock, Cut Flowers

• ON-FARM HOUSING? No 

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

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, Basic Spanish

• Urban, Public Education, Non-Profit Farm

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”.  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.

www.foodforlanecounty.org/gardens 

https://www.facebook.com/fflcyouthfarm/

@fflcyouthfarm

FARM OVERVIEW

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 done by hand, including transplanting, weeding, harvesting, and post-harvest handling.  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 180-member CSA, and an onsite produce stand on Saturdays.  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, Education Coordinator, Field Coordinator and Youth Crew Coordinator, who work from mid-January-early December.  During the main growing season, we hire 14  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 volunteers and volunteer groups 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, close-in hiking trails, lakes and rivers for boating.

In 2024, we purchased a new 25 acre farm, which is located just outside of Eugene City limits and 15 minutes away from our current farm. This will become our new, permanent home! We are actively developing the new site with plans to be farming there exclusively in 2026. This is a very exciting new development and will create an incredible opportunity for Apprentices to take part in developing a new farm.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Apprentices will be trained in various aspects of the operation including orchard care (pruning, thinning, pest management), 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 (barrel washer, salad 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 4th, four days/week (Tuesday-Friday),  with some additional weekend duties on occasion.  8:30am-4:00pm is a typical work schedule.  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 on November 25th. Apprentices can request up to two weeks off, and will earn vacation time and paid holidays.

Our staff works alongside Apprentices, and we train as we introduce new tasks.  We hold morning check-in stretching circles as well as frequent crew meetings.  We take monthly field walks, and will do  our best to address topics that Apprentices are interested in. Our Apprenticeship educational program consists of lectures, occasional field trips, hand-outs, and mostly hands-on learning.  We 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 and cover cropping. These on farm classes will supplement Rogue Farm Corps online Educational Event Series and weekend intensives.

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  

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

$17/hr for 28 hours/week. Vacation time accrual, sick time, and holiday pay are included. Apprentices receive 2 paid 10 minute breaks, and are required to take a half hour unpaid for lunch.  RFC events are not part of payable hours.

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.

Pay will be by check, directly deposited, into your bank account every two weeks.  Vacation time accrual, sick time and holiday pay are included. Details are in the FOOD For Lane County Employee Handbook. Reimbursement of RFC tuition is included if you complete the full season. Farm Produce and starts are provided as available.

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.      

PAST APPRENTICE TESTIMONIALS

“The mentors are both teachers and farmers. There are many opportunities to learn new things and be in leadership roles with volunteers and youth farmers.” -2024                   

Youth Farm staff.

Lucky Crow Farm

Lucky Crow Farm

• 2 APPRENTICESHIPS

• FULL TIME (40  hours/week)

• APPROX START/END DATES: April - October

• $15-$18/HR

• LOCATION: Monmouth  (Willamette Valley Chapter)

• YEARS IN PRODUCTION: 7

• PREVIOUS YEARS HOSTING:  2

• PRACTICES: Dry-Farming, Mechanized/Tractor Farming, Organic Practices (Not Certified)

• ACRES IN CULTIVATION: 3

• Vegetable Production, Fruit, Culinary Herbs, Nursery, Cut Flowers

• ON-FARM HOUSING? No 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? No, but reliable transportation to work is required

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English

• LGBTQIA2s+-Owned/Operated, Women-Owned/Operated

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.

https://www.luckycrowfarm.com

https://www.facebook.com/luckycrowfarm 

@luckycrowfarm

FARM OVERVIEW

We grow mixed vegetables for a 75-member CSA, the Independence Farmers’ Market, local restaurant accounts and our online store. We do some of our bed prep at the urban farm manually, while our larger farm location 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) and 2-3 other employees. 

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.

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.

The farm in Monmouth is 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. 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. 

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 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

• Ability to show up on time and ready to work

Preferred: 

• 1-3 years of prior farm work 

• Strong love of food, nutrition and healthy local economies 

• Manual transmission operation 

• Basic mechanics 

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

Hourly rate $15-$18, 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 farm business and local food economies. We believe a more diverse and equitable food production system is imperative in our work towards a sustainable future.

PAST APPRENTICE TESTIMONIALS

“The work environment was comfortable, supportive and educational. Eden always took the time to come over and help any of us when we had questions, I don’t recall any time she didn’t drop what she was doing to give us advice and guidance” - 2024

Eden

Our Table Cooperative

Our Table CooperativE

• 1 APPRENTICESHIP

• PART TIME (21 hours/week)

• APPROX START/END DATES: June - October

• $16.50/HR

• LOCATION: Sherwood  (Portland Chapter)

• YEARS IN PRODUCTION: 13

• PREVIOUS YEARS HOSTING:  2

• PRACTICES: Certified Organic, No-Till

• ACRES IN CULTIVATION: 14

• Vegetables, Culinary Herbs, Fruit, Value-added/Processing, Cut Flowers

• ON-FARM HOUSING? No 

• VEHICLE REQUIRED? No

• LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English, Basic Spanish

• Cooperatively Owned

At Our Table, our farming philosophy revolves around proper soil health. We are firm believers in the idea that growing soil not only results in higher quality production, but is a powerful way to mitigate some of the negative effects we have on our planet. We strive to nurture and grow the soil food web through mulching, composting, minimal soil disturbance, cover cropping, and diversification of plant varieties. 

As a production farm, we are deeply proud of the quality of produce we send to our restaurant and grocery accounts and are honored to positively contribute to and change the local food system in the PDX area.

https://www.ourtable.us/ 

@ourtablecooperative

FARM OVERVIEW

Our Table is entering its 14th year of production in the Portland area. We farm on 58 acres of land about 20 miles south of Portland. We raise a variety of crops, including vegetables, blueberries, strawberries and tree fruit. On site are a year-round creek and pond, varying topography, and a lovely view of Mount Hood. The farm has easy access to both town and country.

Our farm crew consists of six to seven people between annual and perennial productions.

We grow vegetables intensively on 4 + acres, with an additional 2 acres cultivated in annual cover crops. We use low-till, raised bed practices in the production fields, 4 hoop houses, and 14 caterpillar tunnels. The perennial side of the farm includes fruit and nut trees, 9 acres of blueberries, strawberry tunnels, and beekeeping. We supply produce weekly for a seasonal CSA, and our other sales outlets are through stores (including our on-site store) and restaurants in the larger Portland metropolitan area.

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Apprenticing at Our Table includes an all-encompassing vegetable farm experience. Candidates can expect to be involved in the entire life cycle of growing vegetables, including bed preparation, seeding in the propagation house, transplanting, direct seeding, cultivation, harvest of over 70 varieties, washing/packing of produce, delivering produce to restaurants, and working the weekly CSA pick-up table. The Apprentice would have the opportunity to be trained and to use equipment such as a BCS tractor, a JANG seeder, irrigation systems, and more.

Schedule is as follows:
Mondays & Fridays: 6:30am - 2:00pm

Thursdays: 11:00am - 6:30pm 

Hours can vary seasonally. Opportunities for more work may be available. 

Because Our Table runs a relatively small production, members of the annual crew are often working side by side. Candidates can expect to work alongside farm manager Andrew on a daily basis, learning core concepts and functions. We welcome questions of any nature and encourage growth in areas of individual interest on the farm. Over the years, Andrew has developed a love for studying soil science, integrating both humor and efficiency in daily workflow, and mastering a comprehensive knowledge of systems he encounters on the farm.  The crew holds regular check-ins as a group.

QUALIFICATIONS

Our Table is seeking an Apprentice who is detail oriented, enjoys working in a group, and is motivated to streamline learning and workflow. Communication and cohesion in our crew are highly prioritized, as is the ability to listen to one another. The work is mostly physical, but requires a sharp mind, good judgment, and a great sense of humor. Experience with customer interaction and enthusiasm for all sorts of fruits and vegetables are highly encouraged. The Apprenticeship involves daily lifting (up to 50 lb.), bending, walking, etc, with almost all of the time spent moving or on your feet.

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS

We are able to offer an Apprentice a wage of $16.50/hr. Apprentices will accrue paid time off hourly.

We are five minutes from Sherwood, OR, a town of 20,000 people, and within easy driving distance (20 miles) of the greater Portland metropolitan area. Apartments, rooms, and shared housing options are plentiful in the area. 

No vehicle is required to fulfill an Apprenticeship at Our Table, but an Apprentice would be responsible for their transportation to and from the farm.

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

At Our Table we are dedicated to impartiality in processes and relations in all aspects of the cooperative. We value an atmosphere of belonging and ownership devoid of any judgment. We encourage open communication, speaking up, regular morale check-ins, and desire to foster a space that is not only all-inclusive and comfortable, but one that allows both individuals and the collective to thrive. 

PAST APPRENTICE TESTIMONIALS

“Always provided training on new tasks, always open to my questions. All topics were covered, most were covered comprehensively. Usually available to provide feedback/criticism, but sometimes too busy. Gave me more responsibility/insight into different areas as the season went on. Listened to my ideas/thoughts on farming topics and had good discussions. In general I feel like I learned a lot by doing, which is what I wanted.” - 2022

“Andrew was wonderful to work with and patient with my many questions. Helped guide and teach about many topics.” - 2024

Andrew (and former RFC Apprentice, Fern)