COLLEGE STUDENT LOOKING FOR SUMMER EMPLOYMENT ON RI FARM:

College student with two years agricultural experience on Canadian farms seeks summer employment on a farm in RI. He is interested in all aspects of organic agricultural production, including apiaries. Contact Steve Sherman via e-mail shermans88@gmail.com or telephone. RI cell: (401) 248-4215 or Canada land-line: (514) 303-2932.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE GRANTS COORDINATOR

The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program seeks a full-time staff person to coordinate, promote, and oversee the administration of its Farmer Grants, Community Grants, and Partnership grants. Tasks include outreach to the agricultural community in the 12 Northeast states, coordinating proposal review, tracking funded projects, and developing supporting materials for potential applicants.

Requirements: a bachelors degree; two years of management experience in agriculture; applied research experience; ability to communicate with farmers and agricultural service providers, especially Cooperative Extension; ability to work independently, meet deadlines, manage projects; computer proficiency in word processing and spreadsheets. Travel and schedule flexibility required. The position is located at the University of Vermont in Burlington. Excellent benefits; salary commensurate with experience. Review of applications will begin May 30.

For further information on this position, #032322, or to apply with electronic application, resume, cover letter and references, please visit our web site at: www.uvmjobs.com . or contact Helen Husher: 802-656-3494.

FULL-TIME SUMMER HELP WANTED

River Farm is seeking applicants interested in summer work on our farm located in Saunderstown, Rhode Island. We are a small family farm that produces vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers and a diversified small livestock (bees, chickens and hogs). We are seeking hard working, reliable, enthusiastic and honest summer help to assist with all aspects of a small farm operation.

• Hours: Monday-Friday, with weekend chores on a rotating basis. Specific hours vary.
• Responsibilities: Summer Help will be involved in all aspects of farm work which includes: landscaping, bed preparation, seeding and transplanting, weed control, insect and disease control. We are looking for individuals who are excited about sustainable farming and who are up to the challenge of the physically demanding schedule, tasks, and pace of the farm season. Ideally, you are flexible & personable, have a great sense of humor, and can be happy working both independently, and as a part of a farm crew. He/she will be supervised by and work closely with the farm manager.
• Qualifications: Applicants should have a serious interest in agriculture. They must be able to take on the physically challenging schedule and tasks of the farming season. Farm or landscape experience is preferred by not required. A valid driver's license and ability to lift 50 pounds are required.

Please send resume to farm manager:
lunacypollen@gmail.com
401-808-0571

ORGANIC FARM INTERNSHIPS

We are looking for 6 apprentices for the 2008 growing season. The positions are intended for those interested in organic farming. While we enjoy our work we also expect employees to be responsible and hard working.

• Work expectations - Apprentices will be expected to work 10hrs /day, 5 1/2 days & every third weekend, lift 50 lb feed bags, be assertive, enthusiastic, work alone or as a team, dress for all weather conditions and have fun while doing their jobs. The apprentice should commit for a minimum of 14 weeks, preferably the whole season (May 15 thru Oct 31). The work includes instruction, implementation, feedback and weekly reviews. Work includes all aspects of growing from seed starts to post harvest handling and sales.
• Skills learned – seeding, transplanting, hoeing, weeding, cultivating, using row covers, crop rotation, insect control, greenhouse operations, irrigation, bed preparation, composting, harvesting, bunching, storage, handling, packaging, haying, rotational grazing, egg collection, cleaning and packing, marketing, farmers market, communication with CSA members and personal evaluation. Special areas of focus are considered upon request.
• Educational experience - We believe you will learn from experience everything you need to know about operating your own farm. You must attend and participate in weekly farm meetings. Interns are encouraged to self direct their own farm project on their time off, with our approval and possible assistance if necessary.
• Wages and Housing - Apprentices receive a stipend of $700/month, and on farm shared housing. You must maintain personal hygiene and neatness in a group living arrangement. Use of a kitchen, utilities, surplus organic vegetables, flowers, and herbs are also offered. We also offer a tent site (3 miles offsite) to those that need a little more space from the workplace. Performance and production based bonuses are given bi-weekly.

Our 300 acre farm is located in Cambridge, Vermont. The crop land is river bottom flats, between rolling hills and streams. We grow certified organic vegetables, flowers and herbs for our 200 member CSA, retail farm stand, wholesale business, health food stores, natural food stores and two Farmers Markets. We also sell bedding plants, and certified organic hay. We have 3 greenhouses and 250 egg laying chickens. Our family of 6 is shrinking, as our children move toward their own careers. We are located 5 miles from Smugglers Notch Resort and Jeffersonville with restaurants and pubs. Local activities range from biking, hiking, boating, fishing, cliff climbing to just enjoying the beautiful Vermont scenery. Stowe is ½ hr, Burlington is 40 minutes, and Canada is 2 hrs.

If you think that our apprentice program would be a good fit for you, send us a resume and a cover letter explaining the reason you want to work as an apprentice on our farm, what you like to do in your free time, at least 2 references who can describe your work habits and performance, and an optional – farm project of particular interest.

Email: valleydream@wildblue.net or
Attn: Anne Tisbert or Wendy Hall
Valley Dream Farm LLC
5901 Pleasant Valley Rd
Cambridge, VT 05444

NEEDED: GARDENER/LANDSCAPER HELPER

Gardener/Landscape Helper needed to help with the maintenance and restoration of 50 year old rhododendron gardens and 3 acre property.

Duties will include clearing overgrown brush, removing invasive species (including poison ivy), pruning trees and shrubs, weeding, mulching, transplanting and maintaining trails through the property. May also include some mowing, and spring/fall cleanup.

Applicant should have a basic knowledge of plants and be able to work one to two days per week from spring through fall. Pay commensurate with experience.

Please submit application/resume and pay requirements to: gleanergardens@cox.net

HORTICULTURAL AND CLERICAL SALES POSITIONS

We are growing! Central Nurseries has immediate part-time and full-time openings for several Sales Associates at our Garden Center in Johnston, RI as well as at our Nursery in Chepachet, RI for the 2008 season.

The Horticultural Sales positions must possess a working knowledge of plant material.

The Clerical Sales positions must have point-of-sales (POS) system and cash register experience.

Pay commensurate with knowledge and experience. Excellent benefit package available. E-mail resume to darin@centralnurseries.com or fax to 401-946-7522 Attn: Darin.

WANTED: SMALL FARM IN RI AREA

Must relocate a small, pesticide free/chemical free, fresh herb business for 2008 season.

Minimum requirements: 5 acre minimum for farm status, for small scale specialty vegetable and herb farming, transition to organic.

Required, a small house, tiny garage and or barn, space for a greenhouse. Development rights may have already been sold, deed restrictions to protect the land acceptable.

Contact Ellen Stone at dyerwoman@riconnect.com.