The life of an intern with the farm is a five day week, one day of which is normally spent in FIELD class. Interns have daily responsibilities of assisting with morning and evening chores AM/PM chores on a rotational basis – animal feeding and watering, egg collection and washing, care of new animals. Interns also attend and run our farmers market stand in Port Townsend, Chimacum, or both every Saturday and Sunday. Historically, interns have had Mondays and Tuesdays as free days though there is some flexibility. Work for interns generally ends in the late afternoon unless time critical activities are underway. Evenings are free time for study, work on independent projects, socializing, or pursuit of individual interests. We routinely come together once a week for pizza night and an opportunity to touch base on individual learning goals and experiences. Most meals on the farm are group affairs as the kitchen facilities are shared.
Each intern is provided with one to several areas of greater responsibility in one of the areas we work; poultry and turkey production, greenhouse crops, field fruit crops. We want interns to become sufficiently experienced and knowledgeable that they become potential candidates for paid management or launching a small business as viable post-internship opportunities. Within an area of responsibility, the intern is encouraged to learn and experience all those skills necessary to be successful. We encourage interns to explore the financial and business side of these activities within the context of their FIELD studies as well. Regardless, most aspects of the farm are worked on in small groups or as a team and interns participate in all our activities throughout the season.
Daily activities are diverse and variable outside routine chores. Construction and building projects, planting, gardening and management of small fruits, control and management of pests, irrigation and management of soil fertility and composts are ongoing. So to are the rearing, care and management of chickens, turkeys, bees, sheep and rabbits, as well as the harvest of fruit, preparation of produce, eggs, meats, jams and jellies for sale and the delivery and sale of products at our markets. The emphasis and focus of these activities follows a seasonal cycle for each task.
We expect and encourage interns to develop, plan and undertake an independent learning project that fits within their scope of interest and the farm’s opportunities and needs. Projects that support and develop the farm are desirable and supported with resources and finances once a plan is well fleshed out. There is both a wish list of viable projects as well as opportunity for intern initiated ideas. Interns work closely with John to develop and pursue their independent projects within the context of farm operations.
We provide our interns with on-farm housing (normally a private bedroom with shared kitchen and bathroom) that includes utilities, laundry, and hot/cold running water. Food support from excess farm production, and a monthly stipend intended to cover such items as cell phone bills and staple groceries is also provided as very little time is available for seeking or engaging in outside paid employment during your internship. We do our best to ensure that you are comfortable and reasonable well satisfied with your living arrangements. We do not allow smoking or the use of drugs on the farm, interns have to live somewhat cooperatively.
You can expect to put in full days of physically and occasionally mentally demanding work and be involved in a wide range of activities some of which may become tedious with time.