Hay Production

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.

McPherson Farms

McPherson Farms

  • POSITIONS: 1 APPRENTICESHIP

  • FULL-TIME (32-40 hrs/week)

  • HOUSING NOT PROVIDED

  • APPROX START & END DATES: 4/15 to 9/15

  • LOCATION: KLAMATH BASIN (Southern Oregon)

  • NO ON-FARM HOUSING OFFERED 

  • VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes

  • ON FARM VISIT REQUIRED? Possibly

McPherson Farms sits on 750 acres just outside of Midland, a small community 10 miles south of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Our farm is run by Josh and his mom, Jani, with help from his wife, Marlena, and one part-time employee during the summer months. We raise hay, cattle, hogs, and grain on our farm. We butcher a small number of our cattle and all our hogs to sell meat direct-to-consumer through our farm store, the local farmers market, and online marketplace under our brand “McPherson’s High Desert Highlands.” Our hay is sold locally with a limited number of deliveries and most of our calves are sold at the local auction yard. Our farm is somewhere between conventional and regenerative. Most of our labor involves tractors and other machines. We practice no-till cultivation where possible, manage our cattle with rotational grazing, and utilize cover crops to improve soil health. We strive through our work to maintain both a healthy ecosystem and a productive farm to the best of our ability. 

Our area is defined by open farmland with the Cascade Mountains to the west and desert hills to the east. Our farm is in the Pacific Flyway, near several National Wildlife Refuges, providing an important rest area for migratory birds. It is a home for many different species including sandhill cranes, eagles, hawks, coyotes, and the occasional badger or weasel. There are many opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking, biking, and fishing within a short drive. Our community is one of family farmers who are generous and look out for each other.

McPherson Farms has operated since 1980, when the McPhersons bought their property. Josh was raised on the farm and has been helping run it his whole life. He has managed irrigation, operated equipment, and helped manage cattle for 25 years. Over that time he has taken over management of the farm. He has long term experience in farm planning, accounting, crop establishment, irrigation, grazing management, crop harvest, livestock care, equipment repairs, and direct-to-consumer sales. He graduated with a degree in geography with minors in philosophy and land use planning. Josh believes that farming can be a way to make the world better by rediscovering traditional practices and embracing new farming methods. This helps integrate our farm with the landscape while still providing for our family and the community. As such, our farm is and may always be a work in progress.

We would like to host an apprentice to pass our skills and knowledge to the next generation of farmers. We have opportunities on our farm to learn through work and experience, the same way Josh did growing up. It would be nice to spend time training someone who wants to participate in all aspects of farming and is eager to learn. 

TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS

Josh has been training and supervising employees on the job for the last 7 years and will be the primary mentor to the apprentice. His wife, Marlena, is a science teacher with 10 years of experience in the field of education. Although she works off the farm during the school year, Marlena works on the farm during the summer and will provide some additional training and support.

The apprentice will learn irrigation management and maintenance for hand line, wheel lines, pivots, and flood irrigation. They will learn to construct and maintain both electric and wire fences for livestock. They will help provide daily care for cattle and pigs, as well as how to manage grazing cattle in a rotational system. They will help fulfill online sales and help operate a booth at the farmers market for direct to consumer sales every one to two weeks. They will help plant and establish forage and cover crops. They will help with basic maintenance and operation of farm equipment based on their own comfort and skill level. They will help with the planning and budgeting for one crop from planting to harvest.

We are part of an active community of family farmers and ranchers and will help the apprentice meet local farmers and coordinate visits to other farms approximately once a month. We will include opportunities to participate in farm community events put on by farm groups like the Klamath-Lake Farm Bureau and introduce them to the people involved in our local food systems non-profit, Klamath Grown.

The position will start on/around April 15th and last until approximately September 15th. We have some flexibility on start and end dates of the apprentice’s work season if necessary. There will be between 6 and 10 hours of training in a day, 5 days a week. The apprentice will be expected to show up between 7am and 8am as needed. The schedule can be irregular depending on the harvest schedule, with blocks of training in the morning and evening. The apprentice will have the opportunity to take a week off from training sometime in July or August. As for physical expectations, the apprentice should be able to walk 3-4 miles a day and lift 50lbs easily. The apprentice can expect to be asked to move bales of hay, lift sacks of seed, carry irrigation pipes, drag irrigation hoses, and pound in fence posts.  

Each morning there will be a check-in and explanation of the tasks for the day, with an opportunity to answer any questions. When the apprentice is given a new task or project to begin, we will be present to explain and demonstrate the techniques and expectations involved and help get them started. The apprentice will be given the opportunity to work independently, but a mentor will be a phone call away if troubleshooting is needed. At the end of the day, we will check in and talk about the progress that day and address any concerns or answer questions the apprentice might have. There will be a whole farm meeting once a week to review everything that we've done and talk about what the next week will look like. Periodically, we will have the apprentice tag along to get an understanding of jobs on the farm that are outside of their direct experience.     

QUALIFICATIONS                                                                                           

We would like an applicant who enjoys working outside without close supervision. Some experience around livestock is preferred, and the applicant should have some physical work experience. Applicants should be interested in farming as a future occupation and be willing to work with and cooperate with people of a different mindset. Our family includes children who are intertwined with our farm life. As such, we would prefer family-friendly applicants, and no smoking, alcohol, or drug use.

A vehicle is necessary given the location of our farm. Being able to drive a manual transmission is preferred, but we are willing to train someone who is eager to learn.     

COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS 

The position will start at $15/hr. We will provide a stipend for fuel to help with travel to and from the farm and to help the apprentice participate in the Rogue Farm Corp program. Following a successful season, the apprentice can expect an end-of-season bonus. The apprentice will receive an employee discount of 20% on any food purchased from the farm store.

There are rentals available in Klamath Falls and surrounding areas. We will happily advise an apprentice on good locations to rent in. That being said, we are actively networking to find off-farm housing that we can assist with for the season.

Cell service is available on the whole farm. Wi-fi is available at either of the two houses on the farm. 

EQUITY AND INCLUSION

On our farm the only thing we don't tolerate is intolerance. We only ask people that work for us to do jobs that we would be willing to do ourselves. We try to ensure that anyone can afford and access our products, while still providing us and our employees with a living wage.

Marlena and Josh McPherson with their child.