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.