Crown Point is fairly special in northeast Ohio, for it is one of the only regional organic vegetable farms where farm apprentices have the opportunity to acquire a complete suite of skills necessary for eventually managing their own production-scale organic vegetable farms.
Farm apprentices learn hands-on skills, including:
- greenhouse management
- introductory soil science and fertility building
- organic weed and pest management
- harvest and post-harvest/storage protocols
- planning and management skills, including crop rotation and cover crop philosophies and applications
- vegetable crop variety and succession planning
- the operation and basic maintenance of tractors and other mechanized equipment
- volunteer and work crew management
- record-keeping and organic certification requirements
- the importance of efficiency
Crown Point Apprentices learn first-hand the workings of a medium-sized Community Supported Agriculture program, a highly popular marketing model, and how to plan and prepare for a large retail-style plant sale each spring.
While the focus of the apprenticeship is on production-scale annual vegetable production, there are occasional opportunities to learn other types of farming/homesteading skills as well, such as beekeeping, carpentry, native pollinator habitat establishment, cut-flower production, small-scale poultry production, tree fruit production, and a variety of permaculture activities.
Expectations:
Farm apprentices are the engine that powers the Crown Point farm. They are expected to work 45 to 50 hours a week, for approximately 30 weeks during the growing season. Apprentices must be able to withstand challenging weather conditions; do repetitive, tedious tasks; and be able to “go with the flow;” as plans often change quickly in farming. Good teamwork skills and a sense of humor are also essential!
In exchange for their long hours, apprentices are rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction at the end of each day, as well as invaluable experience that could propel them to someday operate their own farms, or at the very least, give them the know-how for being able to produce their own food.
Other benefits include:
- a weekly stipend
- paid working visits to other local farms
- paid days off
- access to all planning documents
- possibility of rustic seasonal housing
- a lot of free vegetables!
How to apply:
We are accepting applications for the 2014 season! Please read the 2014 Apprenticeship Description, and if you are interested, email Amy Cook, farm manager, your resume and a completed application as soon as possible!
