We are looking for two types of apprentices: One who is looking for an in-depth long-term apprenticeship in organic gardening and community living, and others who are sampling different farms for 4-6 weeks. Contact us for the 2020 season!
The long-term position has a few more criteria attached to it, but it also brings more knowledge and responsibilities. We need someone to commit to the season, from mid-to-end of April, to mid-October, if possible. The apprentice will experience all the steps necessary to running a commercial garden: establishing and following a calendar, seeding and caring for seedlings, greenhouse cultures, bed preparation, transplanting, irrigation, season extension, identifying pests and disease, weeding, harvesting, washing and storage, selling at the market, closing for the winter, etc. After such an experience, the apprentice has sufficient knowledge and skill to begin a garden of their own. The ideal candidate is healthy, sociable, while at the same time capable of working on their own, willing to share in the chores for the upkeep of the communal living space, and generally a happy person keen on learning. No prior experience is necessary. Please contact us in the winter to make a plan.
Apprentices and helpers are expected to work 30 hours per week (6 hours per day, 5 days per week; usually Monday to Friday. However, hours and days are subject to change depending on everyone’s needs). A cooperative attitude is the fuel for a smooth functioning community.
Example of a typical work day:
8:00 am Breakfast
8:50 am mini-meeting
9:00am Start Work
12:00 Lunch, Cleanup and Break
1:00 pm Continue work
4:00 pm End of work day, put away tools
5:00 pm Prep Dinner
6:00 pm Dinner & Cleanup
Even though the work day is over, helpers are expected to contribute to the cleanliness of the communal spaces i.e.: living room, kitchen & bathroom.
Our accommodations are simple: an A-frame in the forest and two large Soulpad tents on wooden platforms. All meals are shared communally.
For the shorter-term helpers: We are happy to host helpers with children. For single-parents, we ask that the child be at least 5 years old with some degree of autonomy. Helpers are expected to work 6 hours per day, 5 days per week, for a minimum stay of three weeks. We try to go by the motto “hard work, no stress,” as well as trying to be mindful in our everyday activities. And we have lots of fun doing it! You will be happy sleeping and listening to the frogs and rustle of leaves in our Soulpad tents in the forest.
