Working on an Organic Farm

Volunteer Guidelines

Chef Exchange

Apprenticeship Program


A lot of people wonder what it’s like to work on a farm.

Yes, it lets you be outside a lot (including in the freezing rain, and burning sun). Yes, it involves getting your hands dirty. And it does teach you a lot about the natural rhythms of the seasons and how to produce your own food, which is satisfying.

 

 

There are a lot of different things we do on the farm, depending on where we are in the season. We plant seeds in the greenhouse, transplant out seedlings into the field, weed the fields, pick flowers and harvest vegetables, feed and water chickens and other livestock, and collect and clean eggs, among other things.

 

VOLUNTEER

If you are interested in volunteering on the farm, please read our Volunteer Guidelines and then contact us by email or phone (631.523-6608 ) to let us know when you'd like to come. We do take volunteers, sometimes have overnight acommodations available, and it can be a lot of fun to see the way a farm works behind the scenes. We ask you to dress appropriately and be ready for the fact that farming is hard work.

CHEF EXCHANGE

If you are a chef, personal chef, nutritionist, holistic health counselor, etc. you have special skills which can be valuable to our farm - and you will benefit professionally as well as personally from the first-hand knowledge you will gain from growing, harvesting, cooking and eating seasonal organic vegetables. If you would like to volunteer for a longer stay (i.e. two nights to two weeks) and we supply free housing, perhaps you can practice your skills by cooking us a meal, or offering a cooking demonstration at our farmstand, for example. Contact us with your ideas.

APPRENTICESHIPS

We also have a season-long apprenticeship program from April to November. By working on the farm for a whole season, our apprentices learn about all aspects of a diverse organic farm operation, and learn the skills needed to manage their own farm someday. If you think you might be interested in applying for an Apprenticeship at Garden of Eve, you can send us your resume and a letter of interest early in the season.

Click here to read "Apprentice Testimonials"

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APPRENTICES WANTED FOR 2008 SEASON

 

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FARM DESCRIPTION: Garden of Eve is an 80-acre organic for-profit farm located in a beautiful area of Long Island’s East End (called the North Fork).

We are about 2 hours from NYC in a great area of beaches, ponds, forests, farms, and great summer weather. We cultivate approximately 25 acres of mixed vegetables and cut flowers, focusing on great-tasting heirloom varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, potatoes, etc. We also have a flock of 400 laying hens, as well as raising turkeys for thanksgiving, and a few cows, sheep, and goats for milk, meat, and fun. We sell produce to approximately 500 CSA members at six locations in NYC, to local residents from a busy farm stand on the farm, and at Greenmarket in Brooklyn and farmers markets on Long Island.

If you are interested in learning how to develop and run your own diverse sustainable farm to sustain you and your family someday financially as well as spiritually, you will find working with us very interesting. If you are just looking to learn how to grow your own food and relax in the country for a summer, you may not find it as enjoyable. We hustle.

EXPERIENCE DESIRED:
Experience preferred but not necessarily required. We are looking for apprentices who are self-directed and enjoy “attacking” the challenges that arise throughout the farm season, and who are interested in helping us improve the way we do things on the farm by sharing with us lessons from their experience on other farms and by taking responsibility for the parts of our operation that interest them. Drivers license and the ability to drive a truck, particularly in New York City, is highly desired. Sense of humor, independence, initiative, a good attitude, and a large dose of common sense are also desired. Mechanical experience, driving or fixing tractors and machinery is also highly desired.

POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
All apprentices will get a diverse experience in many different areas of large-scale commercial organic production, marketing of products and interacting with customers, as well as having days off to enjoy the sun and the beach. Several positions are available, including:

  FARM MANAGER:

Duties include:

-Direct daily activities including planting, cultivating, harvesting, processing;
- Maintaining all harvest data and records;

- Managing and working with farm crew and other apprentices;
- Harvesting, washing, packing, and loading produce with farm crew;
- Maintaining crew productivity data and time sheets.

- Monitoring packing room and inventory of harvesting supplies;
- Organizing and cleaning packing room, coolers and storage facilities;
- Analyzing and refining harvesting and packing room methods and efficiencies;
- Loading truck for delivery.

- Driving box truck into NYC for CSA deliveries (if qualified).

QUALITIES DESIRED
• Disciplined, Organized, Responsible, Independent and Positive.
• Basic Spanish language skills, or willingness to learn  
• A valid driver's license and ability to lift 40 pounds is required.

This is an excellent position for someone planning to start their own farm in the next year or two, as the Farm Manager carries significant responsibility and decisionmaking independence.

STIPEND: $1500+ per month depending on qualifications, plus on-site housing and year-end merit bonus & income from entrepreneurial activities.

	GREENHOUSE MANAGER/FIELD MANAGER: Responsible for planting, transplanting, creating and implementing seeding schedules in the greenhouse, record keeping, etc. Coordinates CSA harvests, and vegetable processing. If qualified, may drive or accompany box truck into NYC for CSA deliveries, as well as driving to, setting up, and managing farmers market stand. STIPEND: $1000/month plus housing on-site, year-end merit bonus & income from entrepreneurial activities.
	FARMSTAND MANAGER: Responsible for crop harvest for the farm stand each day, developing and maintaining farmstand garden, presentation and marketing of vegetables, giving cooking demonstrations and educational programs for customers, farm stand record keeping, basic livestock care, as well as participating in all crop-related tasks at one time or another on the farm and off-farm farmers markets. This is a great position for someone interested in a future career in nutrition, holistic health counseling, etc. STIPEND: $1000/month plus housing on-site, year-end merit bonus & income from entrepreneurial activities.
	LIVESTOCK MANAGER: Responsible for managing a mobile pastured flock of 400 laying hens, including feeding and watering, health and nutritional management, egg collection and processing, as well as maintenance of a small herd of Nigerian dwarf goats, Galloway cattle, Border Leicester sheep. Will help raise 100 heritage turkeys beginning in June, from chicks. Will also work with vegetable production operations, markets, etc. as needed. STIPEND: $1000/month plus housing on-site and year-end merit bonus & income from entrepreneurial activities.
	EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS MANAGER: Responsible for establishing and maintaining “mini-farm” demonstration farm area, demonstration gardens for herbs, vegetables and flowers, establishing and conducting weekly farm tours, establishing educational signage, and planning and conducting other workshops at our on-farm farmstand including cooking demonstrations, farm crafts, etc. Lots of room for initiative and creativity! Will also be engaged in general farm work 25%-50% of the time. STIPEND: $800-$1000/month plus housing on-site and & income from entrepreneurial activities.
	NOVICE FARMER: We are willing to fill one position with people who have a positive attitude and interest in exploring farming as a vocation, but who have had little prior experience. The period of the “Novice” position will be 1-2 months (i.e. you can select April-May, Sept-Oct, etc.). Email us with your interest. STIPEND: $600/month plus housing on-site and & income from entrepreneurial activities.

Approximately 55 hrs per week will be expected (i.e. 8 am – 5 pm 6 days per week), with one full day off, and some schedule flexibility upon advance request.

Special projects can include opportunities to make additional income through entrepreneurship, such as growing and marketing your own crops on unused farmland, pastured poultry, and production of pickles, cookies, jams, and farm arts and crafts for sale at farm stand.

Other projects to improve the sustainability of our farm are welcomed including establishing educational gardens, teaching on-farm classes, and experimentation with alternative fuels (straight vegetable oil, bio diesel), etc.

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE: At Garden of Eve, education is mainly hands-on, learning-by-doing. We have a weekly meeting where the farmers answer questions in-depth, and many lunches turn into spur-of-the-moment lessons on everything from marketing plans to cultivating implements. We lend books from our sustainable agriculture collection and will make limited reading and writing assignments. We facilitate monthly exchanges with other area farms, including vineyards, tree farms, etc. and other organic farm apprentices, as well as social events with neighbors and friends. Enjoy our area's natural attractions on days off including kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and swimming.

PERIOD OF INTERNSHIP: Farm Manager: April 1 - end of Nov. Other positions: May 15 or June 1 – end Nov. Novice Farmer: 1 or 2 month period during growing season. Please make the dates you are available clear in your letter of interest.

STIPEND: $1500/month+, depending on qualifications for farm manager, $1000/month for other positions, $600/month for “Novice” position, plus housing-on site which is worth approximately $800/person/month in our area, and year-end merit bonus & income from entrepreneurial activities.

HOUSING: We will provide housing at a farmhouse on the farm property which is fully furnished and includes bathroom and kitchen. Within walking distance of beach, 5 mins drive from town (also bikeable).

MEALS: Meals and food in general will be the responsibility of the apprentice, but vegetables and other farm produce will be provided free of charge.

MATERIALS TO BE SUBMITTED: All interested applicants should submit a resume, three references (of which two of which should be former employers), and a letter of interest explaining previous experience and skills, and reasons for interest in this position via email to farmer@gardenofevefarm.com.