SWEET UNION FARM
2 APPRENTICESHIPS
PART TIME (28-38 hours/week July-Oct; 24-30 hours/week May, June, November)
APPROX START/END DATES: Mid May - Mid November
$17/HR
LOCATION: Klamath Falls (Southern Oregon* / Satellite)
YEARS IN PRODUCTION: 8
PREVIOUS YEARS HOSTING: 1
PRACTICES: Low-Till, No-Till, Organic Practices (Not Certified)
ACRES IN CULTIVATION: 1
Vegetable Production
ON-FARM HOUSING? No
VEHICLE REQUIRED? Yes
LANGUAGES SPOKEN: English , Spanish
*While outside of the Rogue Valley Chapter, some in-person educational events will be within a 90-minute drive from this Host Farm. Attendance at these events is highly encouraged.
At Sweet Union Farm, we believe that vegetables are beautiful, land is to be respected and community is our strength. We are passionate about growing the highest quality vegetables for our community and making them accessible to everyone. We seek balance, intentionality and excellence in all we do ecologically, socially and economically.
Katie Swanson has been farming for 10 years and just completed her eighth season owning/operating Sweet Union Farm. Sweet Union’s farm Enterprises are diversified vegetables. Our sales outlets include Farmer's market, restaurants, farm-to-school and the local food hub Klamath Grown. Sweet Union is a very intensively managed and productive small farm. Sustainability is a top priority in making this farm healthy for all the species that live here, emphasizing diversity, soil-building, and water saving.
www.sweetunionfarm.com
@sweetunionfarm
FARM OVERVIEW
Sweet Union Farm sits on the occupied land of the Klamath and Modoc tribes who cared for this beautiful place since time immemorial. Currently, what the community refers to as “The Tribes” are the Klamath, Modoc and Yahooskin tribes which are headquartered about 25 minutes north of the farm. Since federal recognition was restored in the 80s, The Tribes have been doing incredible community-building work, leading public health and environmental efforts that make Klamath Falls a better place to live.
I, Katie Swanson, have been farming for 10 years and just completed my eighth season owning/operating Sweet Union Farm. I’ve lived in Oregon her whole life, growing up in Gresham and Boring. My husband and I live in our home on the farm. We just had our first child, John River, born August 2024. The Farm is about 10 minutes southeast of the metro area of Klamath Falls. The property is 7.5 acres total with about 1 acre in vegetable production and the rest is a mix of pasture, outbuildings, a home garden, irrigation pond and riparian habitat along the river. Our property is surrounded by a mix of similar sized hobby farms and a few much larger farm operations with hills in the distance and the Lost River running alongside the north edge. It’s very peaceful with lots of birds but is also very close to town.
Klamath Falls is a small city of about 45,000 people and the county seat for Klamath County, which has a population of about 70,000. Klamath has a small town feel, but because it’s the city center for a remote region, it has an energy to it with lots of great small businesses. It’s surrounded partially by wide open spaces of agricultural land (mainly hay, grain, potatoes, cattle, horseradish, garlic, etc.) as well as lakes, mountains and forests which provide endless outdoor recreation. It’s a mountain biking destination and the lakes provide lots of opportunities for canoeing, sailing, kayaking, SUP, etc. Crater Lake National Park is about an hour away to the north and the Lava Beds National Monument is 45 minutes to the south. The wide open skies make for some great sunsets and the high desert climate means lots of dry, sunny days. Klamath Falls is definitely experiencing an increase in population; some people like to say we’re the next Bend, but I like to think our grit gives us our own, unique character.
Living in a dry, drought-prone climate, water-saving efficiencies have become more and more of a focus every year on the farm. One of the main focuses is increasing the water-holding capacity of the soil through building organic matter with cover crops and compost and minimal tillage techniques. We use compost, cover crops and natural fertilizers to build the soil and are working to mitigate the compaction that has occurred due to the practices of previous owners.
We do a mix of hand work and mechanized with the tractor and BCS. We transplant by hand as well as use the Paperpot transplanter and use a jang seeder for direct seeding. We use tarps to suppress weeds and break down old crops. Drip tape is mostly used for irrigation, plus some overhead (micro sprinklers and handlines) for specific uses. We have one unheated high tunnel and are building another minimally heated tunnel this winter.
A few other production methods we use are crop rotation, planting hedgerows and borders of pollinator-friendly flowers and herbs, interplanting, natural fertilizers and various Integrated Pest Management techniques. We are always experimenting and trying new things. Pigs are raised on pasture and get lots of farm scraps.
About Katie: Katie believes growing good food and making it accessible while taking care of the land is the best thing she can do for her community. Besides farming, Katie loves to be with her family, paddle on the water (canoe, kayak, SUP), search for wildflowers, camp, cross country ski, drink tea and cuddle with Kitty Ben.
Katie did not grow up farming, but always had a garden and some animals. She taught high school for five years, but fell in love with farming thanks to the thriving women-led small farm scene in the Portland area. She worked on a few different farms, including WWOOFing in Peru and working at 47th Avenue Farm in Portland. Katie started Sweet Union Farm in 2016 on one of the busiest roads in Klamath while working at Blue Zones Project as a food systems manager. Starting on about a quarter acre, she grew over 100 varieties of vegetables for CSA and restaurant customers and slowly expanded by leasing land. In the winter between the 2021 and 2022 season, she and Dallas were fortunate enough to move to their current property. During the 2022 season on the new property, Katie scaled down, got to know the land and built infrastructure, then re-started full farm operations again in 2023. Katie also co-founded and is heavily involved in Klamath Grown, a non-profit food hub that aims to build a strong and equitable local and regional food system.
TRAINING AND EXPECTATIONS
For the 2025 season, The crew will mostly consist of myself plus two part-time RFC Apprentices. There may be one other part-time employee that runs the farmers market booth.
The Apprentice will gain experience in annual vegetable production in the following ways: flipping and prepping beds (hand tools, tarps & BCS), direct seeding (Jang), transplanting (by hand & Paperpot), greenhouse seeding, cultivation and weed management, season extension techniques, irrigation, harvest, wash & pack. Tractor training can be discussed, although this is typically reserved for one crew member per season who has at least one season on the farm. Apprentices will learn about the various sales outlets and have opportunities to work the farmers market booth. There may also be opportunities to work on other projects around the property, such as managing and expanding the native plant hedgerows and riparian habitat. We will also have a few sheep that they can help take care of. Additionally, there will be opportunities to learn about the back end of farming and how we manage the business. We also typically host a few field trips every year, so the Apprentice can learn how to lead a class field trip on the farm. If the apprentice has another particular area of interest, I will do my best to arrange the schedule so that they can participate in that aspect of the farm.
In addition to farm work and farm business management, the Apprentice will have the opportunity to learn about community food systems work and how to develop partnerships in order to increase access to produce. Katie is the co-founder of the local food hub, Klamath Grown, so there is ample opportunity to get involved in that work.
The specifics of the schedule for 2025 are still being worked out. The days per week may vary between 3-4. The average day is 8 hours, although it can range from 6-10 hours depending on a variety of factors. All state laws regarding breaks and lunch are observed.
The Apprentice is expected to be able to do physical work in all types of weather and be on their feet for the hours described above with the ability to lift 40 pounds repeatedly. Provided training, the ability to operate equipment such as the BCS is important as well as other hand tools used on the farm.
More than anything, a positive attitude, willingness to learn and ask questions, and open communication would be expected of the apprentice. Beyond the on-farm communication, the Apprentice would be expected to communicate kindly and clearly to customers.
We tend to utilize the “I do, we do, you do” format where we show the mentee how to do a task then do it with them providing feedback and answering questions. Once it feels like they have the hang of it, we give them space and do something else then come back to check in to see if they have any questions. At the beginning of the season we would expect to be doing more tasks side by side and as they learn more and fewer tasks are new, they would work more independently.
We typically have a weekly check-in and review the plan with the whole crew once a week, plus daily morning check-ins to clarify who is doing what and to provide any explanations.
A lot of discussions and mentoring naturally happen while we are working, but Katie also schedules individual check-ins with each staff member at least 2-3 times per season to discuss how they are doing physically, mentally and emotionally on the farm. These will also be times to touch base on what they are learning to make sure their goals are being met.
The Apprentice would have access to the farm library of 20+ farming books. Plus, we will inevitably share online resources with each other, podcasts, watch videos, etc. which would fuel great discussions in the field. I also recognize that people come from a diversity of backgrounds with different communication and learning styles, so I would ask them about their preferences at the beginning of the season and adjust accordingly. The apprentice is also welcome and encouraged to take on a project of their own on the farm. Once they arrive and get a feel for the place, we can talk about their ideas, see how they fit into the existing farm systems and discuss how to best support their project.
QUALIFICATIONS
At least one season of agricultural experience is preferred but not required. Most important is experience doing physical labor outdoors.
Strong communication skills, ability to self-advocate and communicate needs
Ability to work efficiently and consistently with others and independently
Ability to follow instructions, open to constructive feedback
Positive attitude and ability to have a good time while being productive.
Learner mindset, asks questions and shares ideas from own experience.
Observant, attention to detail and takes initiative to fill needs or solve problems
Strong work ethic, desire to do high quality work
Ability to do physical work in all weather
Provided training, ability to operate hand tools and equipment, including the BCS.
Ability to lift 40 pounds repeatedly
Clean drivers license and reliable vehicle to get to work on time
An in-person visit is preferable, but if that is not possible, we can work around that.
COMPENSATION / ACCOMMODATIONS
$17/hr. $150 equipment stipend after 60 days.
All crew members receive paid PTO at an accrual rate of 1 hour per 30 hours worked. At 60-day check-in, part-time crew members receive an additional 4 hours of paid PTO.
Access to lots of farm veggies
$200 bonus when the season completed
Vacation requests need to be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance and coordinated with the farm schedule and rest of the crew so that no two people are off at the same time. Unless discussed at least 2-3 months in advance, time off requests are not likely to be approved during May and September.
EQUITY AND INCLUSION
At Sweet Union, we strive to maintain a welcoming spirit and create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone is valued and respected for who they are. We do that by caring for each other and seeing each other as more than a laborer, but a whole, complex and unique human being. We help each other out, encourage each other, use kind and respectful language, and take a collaborative approach to solving problems on the farm. We stretch together before each harvest and check in with how our bodies are doing, making adjustments to the work plan as needed to allow for self care. We do a lot of check-ins to make sure each individual’s needs are met, they feel supported and that they are finding joy in their work. We welcome people of all backgrounds and strive to be open and honest about our faults while constantly doing the personal, inner work that we see as our own responsibility.
Klamath Falls is a place that struggles with poverty, water scarcity, and white supremacy among other things. In that context, I take the role of a farm business like Sweet Union very seriously. As a white woman in agriculture, I have a responsibility to speak out against white supremacy and inequity of all kinds. At a community level, I am working with the non-profit, Klamath Grown, to prioritize social justice within the organization and the broader local food promotion work. The farm also supports the local Pride Festival every year. Ag and inclusivity haven’t always been paired together in this community, but the hope is to start changing that and for there to be no doubt where Sweet Union Farm stands on the Black Lives Matter movement, Indigenous rights, LGBTQ+ rights or other social justice issues.
Farm values & philosophy:
At Sweet Union Farm, we believe that vegetables are beautiful, land is to be respected and community is our strength. We are passionate about growing the highest quality vegetables for our community and making them accessible to everyone. We seek balance, intentionality and excellence in all we do ecologically, socially and economically.
At Sweet Union Farm, the vegetables are beautiful. We share that beauty with the community when we:
Produce vegetables that are beautiful inside and out. This means that we provide consistently fresh, high-quality, diverse and delicious vegetables that thrive in our climate through sustainable and efficient farm management practices.
Inspire our customers to cook with and enjoy the uniqueness of fresh and local vegetables.
Maintain a tidy and beautiful environment that serves as an inspiration for all who visit the farm.
Prioritize professionalism, kindness and trust in all our community relationships.
Always seek to improve our systems with a holistic lens.
At Sweet Union, the land is respected. We are grateful to grow in such a beautiful place. In our efforts to be respectful and filled with gratitude, we:
Relish in working within the boundaries of our place, considering the climate and natural resources of the high desert (formerly a wetland basin, which is now drained and irrigated farmland and desert). We pay particular attention to soil health, efficient water management, and plant varieties that thrive in this environment.
Value all parts of the farm ecosystem, including those that don’t produce cash crops by planting flowers for pollinators and implementing no or low-till systems that respect the microbial life in the soil.
Recognize and seek to better understand the reciprocal relationship between the land and ourselves. We have much to learn from the natural systems around us.
Are always improving, testing, innovating, learning and questioning our farm management practices with the goal to become more sustainable and regenerative. We are grateful for the teachers in our lives.
We recognize that none of these practices are new and most sustainable farming methods were developed long ago by the original, Indigenous stewards of this land.
Our community is strong and we are fortunate to be a part of it. We feel a strong sense of purpose and as part of our commitment to community-building, we:
Maintain a welcoming spirit and strive to create a safe and inclusive environment where all customers, employees, volunteers and visitors to the farm feel valued, respected and are treated as equals.
Seek to build a stronger, more equitable and inclusive food system through collaboration and partnership with people and organizations who share these values.
Increase access to nourishing and regionally appropriate food for the people of Klamath Falls as well as connect them to the land and each other through food.
Choose to fight against an oppressive food system which has systematically disenfranchised Black, Indigenous and People of Color. We choose to be honest about our supporting role in this violent system, both historically and presently, as we seek to educate ourselves so we can do better and move ourselves and our farm towards justice.
Prioritize balance in our lives and time to care for ourselves, which in turn allows us to care for those around us.
Do not see decolonization as a metaphor. We acknowledge we farm on the occupied land of the Klamath & Modoc Tribes. We have not resolved the conflict between the unjust roots of our land ownership and our desire to be in a respectful and mutual relationship with the current tribal members who are survivors of the attempted genocide against their ancestors. Within this tension, we hope to find our proper role through partnership and the transfer of power.
PAST APPRENTICE TESTIMONIALS
“I learned a lot from Katie and her farm business, and I think Katie is a smart and thoughtful farmer, with lots of knowledge to share.” Three things that went well were “one-on-one time; regular discussions about issues in the small farms world; giving opportunities to take responsibility.” - 2021
