Turn key sustainable organic farm located halfway between San Diego and Orange County. Located 5 minutes from downtown Temecula. Featuring 5 acres of CCOF certified organic avocados and over 30 other fruiting plants. Also has a 3000 sf custom home. Please see www.cortevarela.com for more information.
Replacement quality Dorper and Dorper cross ewes & ewe lambs. Boer cross Spanish doelings CCOF Certified.
Poultry Manager –Belcampo Farms
Belcampo California is a farm, slaughterhouse, butcher shop, and restaurant. Each part of our value chain is integral in the success of the company as a whole.
Belcampo Farms is a 20,000-acre organic farm that provides high-quality, healthy, and great tasting meats to our retail markets and restaurants. By controlling the entire production chain – from the farm, through slaughter and processing, and right through to the point of sale – Belcampo offers an unparalleled experience to the consumer, ideal for an emerging market of consumers concerned about food safety, environmental responsibility, and taste quality. We also focus on humane handling and production of all of the species raised.
We currently have one store in operation and are in the process of building five more. This means more than tripling the amount of production on our farm, and we are looking for a poultry manager to join our team achieve this growth gracefully and successfully.
Belcampo has a dynamic and diverse team. We find that the following characteristics are shared among the individuals who thrive on our team:
Job Description
The Poultry Manager is responsible for the daily operational activities of the multi-species poultry program at Belcampo Farms. This position will plan, oversee and participate in the management of all aspects of the poultry production program, including:
This position will be responsible for:
Recommended skills/experience includes:
Supervisor
Salary: $35,000 - $40,000 DOE. Benefits offered.
Please send resumes to gh@belcampoinc.com, we will respond to all queries within 48 hours of receipt.
Job Announcement - Site Coordinator
The Grange Farm School is looking for an enthusiastic, organized and multi-skilled individual to fill the position of Site Coordinator. The California State Grange School of the Agricultural Arts is a venue for sustainable farming and education programs that demonstrate a holistic approach to food production. Our students include aspiring farmers, home gardeners, and youth. Our farm is located in Mendocino County at the Ridgewood Ranch south of Willits, California. Our program is in its first year and will initially focus on infrastructure development for the farm.
We will be designing and building the facilities to teach, host students and workshops, and grow a diverse farm featuring fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs, poultry and other livestock. The farm will feature 5 acres in production, management of an existing mature orchard, and a yet-to-be-renovated schoolhouse. In 2014 we will host a small number short term workshops, volunteer work days, and residential practicum students. In the years to come both the teaching and farming component of the program will expand.
Site Coordinator Job Description:
The ideal candidate has experience working in small scale sustainable agriculture, in teaching, in construction and farm maintenance, and in leadership for volunteers, student interns, and for youth. We are looking for a Site Coordinator who is knowledgeable in organic farming practices for diverse crop and livestock farm systems. Job duties will cover a broad range of tasks, including:
Desired qualifications:
This is a year-round residential position, with daily attention to the farm required including weekend duties. Housing will be provided in the form a private room in the schoolhouse with shared bathroom and kitchen. In the short term, during the initial construction phase, housing may be at another location. Fresh garden produce, eggs and meat will be available seasonally.
Work load will be based on the needs of students, plant and animal life-cycles and hours will vary throughout the seasons. The Site Coordinator will be on-call 24 hours per day to address the needs of farm and student. Anticipated winter work load will be low, around 15 hours per week. The Site Coordinator will have up to 6 weeks annual vacation to be arranged with Farm Director. We ask for a one-year minimum commitment and will give preference to a candidate interested in a longer term position. We will accept applications until the position is filled. Anticipated start date will be late winter to early spring 2014. Compensation includes $12,000 annually salary, housing, meals taken with students, and farm goods. This position may be combined with the part-time Administrative Assistant position. If qualified, please apply for both positions simultaneously.
To apply please send a cover letter, resume and 3 references to farmdirector@califroniagrange.org. For more information on the California State Grange School of the Agricultural Arts, please visit our website at http://californiagrange.org/agschool/mission.html.
USDA Rural Development announced funds are now available for the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. The Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) was published in the Federal Register on Monday, November 25, 2013. It is available here.
Please note changes have been made to this year’s NOFA, in particular:
View a copy of the news release.
As well, we encourage you to visit USDA Rural Development’s website for the Value-Added Producer Grant program which includes helpful information including:
We anticipate offering training opportunities on the program soon. We will share that information as soon as possible.
Additional resources are also available online from Agricultural Marketing Resource Center at www.agmrc.org.
If you have any questions, please contact Karen Firestein at karen.firestein@ca.usda.gov or (530) 792-5829.
We are looking to fill two full time positions on a busy well established mixed vegetable farm in Petaluma. We cater to SF restaurants directly, sell to farmers markets and wholesalers.We offer housing, farm food and $300/ week to start. A day in the life would include harvest of winter greens, packing of produce, up to two farmers markets per week, and local deliveries. Work is five days a week sometimes a bit more. Looking for an interest in farming and selling locally. You will have exposure to all aspects of the farming operation. We have been farming and selling for 13 years and hope to share what we are doing in hopes of seeing more small farms in the future. Please email us clharvest@gmail.com or call (707) 769-1802 with further interest. County Line Harvest - Petaluma, CA
If you have a desire to invest in an established, expanding, profitable, sustainable, earth friendly Canadian business,which will bring in time a strong return, whether you choose to be smaller silent investor or prefer to to be an active partner with a sizable investment, please contact Barbara.
Continuing and Distance Education at The University of Vermont is seeking to fill a position, Program Coordinator, for the Farmer Training Program, a six-month training program for aspiring farmers and food systems advocates. The Program Coordinator will receive daily supervision and guidance from the Catamount Farm Manager with administrative oversight from the Director of the Farmer Training Program. The Program Coordinator will help ensure that the education goals of the program are being met, including daily leadership of the program, assisting in field instruction and supervision of the Farm Assistants, while simultaneously meeting production demands of the farm.
The Program Coordinator job duties will include:
Successful Candidate will have:
This is a seasonal position, requiring 40 hours per week from March 17 to November 14, 2014. As a temporary seasonal position, UVM employee benefits are not available for this position. To apply, email, fax or mail cover letter, resume and list of at least three references to:
Noёl McCann
Continuing and Distance Education University of Vermont
460 South Prospect Street
Burlington, VT 05401
Fax: (802) 656-1347
Email: noel.mccann@uvm.edu
Application deadline is January 3, 2014
The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Applications from women, veterans and people from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged.
USDA Rural Development announced funds are now available for the Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program. The Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) was published in the Federal Register on Monday, November 25, 2013. It is available here.
Please note changes have been made to this year’s NOFA, in particular:
View a copy of the news release.
As well, we encourage you to visit USDA Rural Development’s website for the Value-Added Producer Grant program which includes helpful information including:
We anticipate offering training opportunities on the program soon. We will share that information as soon as possible.
Additional resources are also available online from Agricultural Marketing Resource Center at www.agmrc.org.
If you have any questions, please contact Karen Firestein at karen.firestein@ca.usda.gov or (530) 792-5829.
Camphill Village Kimberton Hills is an agricultural and craft community striving to restore vitality to community life and the natural environment. Anthroposophy, the spiritual philosophy of Rudolf Steiner, is the wellspring of our intentional community. Adults who have developmental disabilities, and volunteers form a supportive community based on shared responsibilities and caring. We live and work together, serving in family households, craft workshops (bakery, weavery, fiber workshop, wood workshop), estate work, organic gardening and farming. The village fosters a strong cultural life of festivals, music, and art. It is located one hour west of Philadelphia.
Title: Coworker/Dairy Farmer
Description of Length of Service: The intention of this commitment is long term. The minimum stay is 1 year. After 3 successful years, one is invited to fully join the community.
Main Responsibilities: In collaboration with our strong team of biodynamic agriculturalists you will assist in the care and preservation of our raw milk dairy operation utilizing biodynamic and ecologically sound methods.
Main Duties: Oversight of a crew of 4-5 folks with disabilities and up to 4 volunteers who will support and actively engage in all aspects of running the dairy farm. Currently our entire land program is in a transition phase as we work to create an integrated biodynamic farm organism that cohesively integrates herb and vegetable gardens, an orchard, an estate, and of course the dairy farm itself. Therefore the exciting part of this position involves working together with an experienced team of landworkers to craft a new vision for the future dairy operation.
Required Skills And Knowledge: The ability to work with others, including a crew of people with special needs. A background in dairy farming and animal husbandry is essential and a commitment to biodynamic agriculture is a must. Leadership skills. Good communication and people skills.
Basic Living Needs: Room and Board, village car usage, budget to cover living and personal costs, village-funded vacation, retirement plan after 3 years, Waldorf education for children of coworkers, coverage of health care costs.
Training provided: Workshops in biodynamics and social therapy will be offered as well as training in CPR and first aid. There will often be conferences available that support the work and life of the community.
RFC’s programs combine hands-on training, classroom learning and farm-based experience on a diverse network of commercial family farms in Oregon. RFC offers real world opportunities for both the beginner and the aspiring farmer seeking in-depth training to launch their own farm business. RFC’s land-based network includes farms and ranches in Oregon’s Rogue and Southern Willamette Valleys. Led by dedicated mentors and agricultural professionals, RFC offers opportunities to learn organic vegetable, herb, seed and flower production, animal husbandry and a diversity of marketing and distribution techniques. FarmsNext is an introductory program for those with little or no farming experience. FarmsNext is a full season of hands-on training, classroom learning, farm tours, peer discussion and independent study. FarmsNOW is an advanced program for aspiring farmers with a minimum of two years prior experience. FarmsNOW is designed for those seeking mastery in the art and business of farming. This two-year program will dig deep into planning, designing and running integrated farming systems.
CCOF seeks an experienced individual to provide oversight and lead day‐to‐day operations of fund development programs including (but not limited to) securing sponsorships, organizing fundraising events and activities, and securing grants from private foundations and governmental agencies. The Development Manager will work with the Executive Director/CEO to design and implement a fund development program that meets or exceeds organizational goals. Fifty percent of time will be devoted to managing fund development for the CCOF Foundation and the remaining time will be spent managing fund development for the CCOF Trade Association. This is not an entry‐level position.
The CCOF Foundation Program Coordinator is a full‐time salaried employee of the CCOF Foundation based in Santa Cruz, CA. The Foundation Program Coordinator reports to Executive Director/CEO and takes the lead role in implementing Foundation programs.
Practicum Student Program Introduction:
California State Grange School of the Agricultural Arts will host its first Practicum Students in 2014. These work-study students will live on the Grange Farm at historic Ridgewood Ranch, learn about farming and contribute to the farm through hands-on service learning. Practicum Students pay no tuition, receive room and board, and earn college credits. Inspired by the historic mission of the Grange, the Farm School provides training in diverse methods of holistic crop and livestock production. We provide hands-on experiential education to train the next generation of farmers. Our curriculum covers traditional organic agricultural production methods coupled with industrial arts, business and marketing skills. Established in 2013, this newly emerging school is in the early stages of building, offering students the experience of breaking ground on our new farm site.
Projects:
In 2014 the work will include tending a vegetable test plot, about ½ acre in size, building a chicken coop, tending both egg and meat birds, building fences, and installing irrigation systems. Other significant tasks will be building projects to create the infrastructure for the school, including renovating the school house, building student facilities such as housing, outdoor kitchen, and student bath-house with graywater system. Through service-learning the Practicum Students will gain hands-on experience in both farming and industrial arts.
Expectations:
Practicum students are expected to work an average of 25 hours per week on projects supporting the farm. Concurrent enrollment in Work Experience Education program with Mendocino College or a similar program is required. The Farm will cover registration costs at Mendocino College. Housing will include a shared house for kitchen, bath, library, and commons and a wall tent for each student. Food will include basic staples and farm goods. Cooking and cleaning chores will be shared.
Schedule:
Three terms will open in 2014 and two terms in 2015.
2014
Spring: Early March to Late April– 2 Students
Summer: Early May to Late July – 4 Students
Fall: Early August to Late October – 4 Students
2015
Spring: Early March to Late May – 4 Students
Fall: Late August to Early November – 4 Students
A typical weekday student schedule:
Morning Chores 7:00am - 8:00am
Breakfast (Students cook and clean) 8:00am - 9:00am
Morning Work (Guided farm and construction work) 9:00am - noon
Lunch (Free time Siesta) noon - 2:00pm
Afternoon Lessons (Lectures on various topics) 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Afternoon Work (Guided farm and construction work) 4:00pm – 6:00pm
Dinner (Students cook and clean) 6:00pm
This is only an example and the schedule will vary to accommodate field trips, guest instructor availability, weather, and farm needs. Some weekend duties will be required.
Curriculum:
Each term will offer similar curriculum in afternoon lessons, but the projects will be unique to the term. Curriculum for Afternoon Lessons will cover diverse topics such as:
Farm and Garden Design
Plant propagation
Tool Use and Safety
Plant Nutrition
Soil Science
Pest Management
Composting
Cover Crops
Raising Chickens
Irrigation
Crop Rotation
Farm Finances and Marketing
Project will vary by season: In 2014 Spring Students will build the mobile chicken coop, Summer students will focus on irrigation and planting, Fall students will build the hoop house and preserve the bounty of harvest. This list is only a small sampling of upcoming projects.
Graduate Students:
Practicum Students may apply for “Graduate School”. Graduate Students are Practicum Students who return to the farm after completing their first term. During an additional term the Graduate Student will complete a project of special interest and will provide guidance to first term Practicum Students. Self Sponsored Students: In 2014 we have planned to host 2 to 4 students March through October. The number of students and dates are flexible and set based on housing availability and food budget. If a student is willing to provide their own camper or tent for personal accommodations, it may be possible for the Grange Farm School to host earlier in the year. It may also be possible for Farm School to host additional students during the season if they are self sponsored and provide $300/month to contribute to the group grocery fund. Your local Grange may be willing to sponsor you.
Application Instructions:
To apply to the Practicum Student program please complete and return the Practicum Student Questionnaire to Antonia Partridge at farmdirector@californiagrange.org. Under rolling admissions positions are open until filled.
Learn more about the Farm School, including instructor bios, our Ridgewood Ranch location south of Willits, CA, and more at: http://californiagrange.org/agschool/mission.html
Practicum Student Questionnaire
Date:
Name:
Contact Information:
1. For which term(s) are you applying? Spring/Summer/Fall | Year:
2. Are you a Grange Member? If yes, which Grange?
3. Why are you interested in a Practicum Student position at Grange Farm School?
4. What skills do you hope to acquire?
5. What are your long-term personal goals related to agriculture?
6. What previous experience and education do you bring to this position?
7. What aspects of working on the Grange Farm and on construction projects do you expect to find most challenging? Most rewarding? Most interesting?
8. We raise animals for meat on the farm. What are your personal views on the role animals play on a small farm?
9. Have you ever lived in a group or community before? If so, what did, or didn’t you like about it? How do you see yourself fitting into a shared housing situation here?
10. Do you have any allergies, or physical limitations that might affect your ability to live in a rural setting and do heavy, physical, outdoor work?
11. Are you aware that the Farm School is in a rural location and you will be responsible for your own transportation? Will you bring a vehicle?
12. Do you smoke or use tobacco products? Do you have any Dietary Restrictions?
13. If all Farm-School sponsored positions are filled are you open to consider a self-sponsored position? You would provide your own tent or camper and pay for food. You would have more flexible arrival and departure dates.
14. An on-farm visit and interview is strongly recommended. Will you be available to visit the farm during your application period?
15. Please tell us something more personal about yourself such as your hobbies, favorite books, travels, or other information you feel is relevant to your application.
16. What is your favorite vegetable?
17. Provide three references.
Starting a new food safety program? Establishing a HACCP plan? Need to update your present program? I can provide trainings in a classroom setting or at your site for a reasonable price. As an experienced GFSI lead auditor & organic inspector I can prepare you and/or your staff to be have successful third-party audits. (916) 214-8720 or stephenvbird@gmail.com
Riverhill Farm in Nevada City, California, is now accepting applications for one full-time farmworker to fill out our farm crew of four full-time employees. Employment begins on April 1st and continues through the end of November. Pay is hourly and housing is available. The regular work week is a 40-hour week, with one-in-four weeks rotating responsibility for extra hours to help at our Saturday Farmers’ Market.
Riverhill Farm is a CCOF-certified organic farm located three miles from Nevada City in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains near the Yuba River. We market our produce at two Farmers’ Markets, the Farm’s farm stand, to our local coop, and to restaurants. We grow a diverse mix of vegetables, raspberries and blackberries on ten productive acres. For further description and photos of our farm, please see Riverhill’s website at www.riverhillfarm.com and our Facebook page.
The applicant must be detail oriented, conscientious, energetic and hardworking, physically fit without significant limitation and enjoy working cooperatively with the farm owners and other employees. The applicant should have at least two full seasons of previous employment working with diverse responsibilities on a commercial vegetable farm and be committed to working the entire season. To apply, please submit a letter of interest and a resume with at least two relevant references by email to alan@riverhillfarm.com. Qualified applicants will receive a reply email and have a phone interview. A farm visit is required.
The CCOF office manager has a wide array of administrative responsibilities including reception, facilities management, and numerous forms of administrative assistance. View the full job description.
Natural Trading Co Organic Farm is looking for someone bright, enthusiastic, hard-working, passionate, and experienced to join our 10-person crew to fill out our 2014 summer season. Applicants should have experience farming for one or more seasons, know how to put a long day in, working in hot weather conditions, and be able to lift 50 pounds. You should be comfortable living and working with co-workers – good communication skills appreciated! There’s lots going on here at NTC and you’ll experience a little bit of everything, pitching in where needed – primarily field work (harvesting, planting, weeding), in addition to greenhouse work, farmers’ markets, CSA, and animal care. We work hard because we love our work.
Located in the beautiful foothills of the Sierra Nevada, 30 miles northeast of Sacramento, Natural Trading Co is a 40-acre organic, mixed crop, orchard, greenhouse, and poultry farm. We operate a 200+ member CSA program, and sell our produce at five weekly Foothill Farmers’ Markets in the Sacramento foothills and Tahoe/Truckee areas, in addition to deliveries to local supermarkets, co-ops, and distributors.
We’re seeking candidates who are committed to staying the entire season (March/April to October/November). Housing and farm food are available. This is a paid hourly position. Interested applicants, please submit a resume and letter of interest to ntc@naturaltradingco.com. For more information about the farm, visit http://naturaltradingco.com/.
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) is now accepting grant applications from livestock farmers for its Fund-a-Farmer Project! The Fund-a-Farmer Project provides grants to qualifying humane farmers who need assistance in improving the welfare of their farm animals. Grants of up to $2,500 will be awarded for projects that (1) help farms transition to pasture-based systems, (2) improve the marketing of their humane products, or (3) more generally enrich the conditions in which farm animals are raised. Working, independent family farmers that raise pigs, broiler chickens, laying hens, dairy cows and/or beef cattle are eligible to apply for any of the three types of grants. Projects involving goats and sheep are only eligible for marketing grants. Applications must be submitted online or postmarked by May 1, 2014 for awards made in August 2014. View guidelines and apply online at www.fundafarmer.org. Contact Lisa at grants@foodanimalconcerns.org or 773-525-4952 with questions.
FACT will offer two online information sessions on the Fund-a-Farmer grant application process in February. Interested farmers can join us on February 11 @ 1pm CST/ 2pm EST or February 12 @ 6pm CST/ 7pm EST. Farmers can register online for either of these free sessions.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the deadline for applications to participate in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP).
Farmers and ranchers interested in enrolling in CSP now have until February 7 to submit their initial applications to NRCS.
The original deadline was January 17, which gives producers an extra three weeks to get into their local NRCS office and submit the initial application to enroll.
NSAC has issued an Information Alert (PDF) with information on the timeline and process for applying to enroll in CSP, including application ranking criteria and other helpful information.
About the Conservation Stewardship Program
CSP is an innovative working lands conservation program that rewards farmers and ranchers for the conservation and environmental benefits they produce. In the first five enrollment years for CSP (2009-2013), approximately 46,000 farmers and ranchers have enrolled nearly 60 million acres of farm and ranch land. That land is now under five-year, renewable CSP conservation contracts valued at $804 million a year.
NSAC periodically analyzes and provides information on CSP participation and recently NSAC published a series of posts analyzing trends in CSP use across the country, looking at total enrollment, land management, and participation by beginning, socially disadvantaged, organic, and transitioning-to-organic producers from 2009-2012.
In addition to the newly released Information Alert, producers will find more detailed information about CSP on NSAC’s website and in NSAC’s Farmers’ Guide to the Conservation Stewardship Program, available for free download here (PDF).
