Woodbridge Farm - 30 Woodbridge Road - Salem - CT - 06420 - (860) 889-5797 - Email: woodbridgefarm@sbcglobal.net |
| Woodbridge Farm - Apprenticeship Program |
2009 Crew: L->R Christian, Dominick, Lucas, Noah, Julia, Maeve & Anna
2008 Apprentices: Megan Healy, Kim Barnes &
Madeleine Daugherty during tractor maintenance
Madeleine Daugherty during tractor maintenance
Bryant Abbott & Kim Barnes harvesting turkey
2007 crew stirring Preparation 500 while
reading Rudolf Steiners agricultural lectures
reading Rudolf Steiners agricultural lectures
Bryant Abbott harvesting turkey
2007 Apprentices: Andrea Cooper, Bryant Abbott,
Kim Barnes, April Rodd & Ken Laney
Kim Barnes, April Rodd & Ken Laney
Kim Barnes preparing oak bark for a compost
preparation
preparation
Andrea, Amanda & baby Amelia helping wash
lettuce heads
lettuce heads
2006 Apprentices: James
Frazier & Tracy Pavlacka
Frazier & Tracy Pavlacka
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Apprentices will have the opportunity to learn about all
aspects of farm life. This includes feeding and caretaking of
the livestock, milking, pasture rotation and management,
composting, seed propagation, transplanting, weeding,
mulching, greenhouse management, harvesting and post
harvest preparation as well as the use of biodynamic
preparations. We hold weekly meetings and offer discussion
groups – but expect a high level of self motivated
involvement in study activities.
Who we are looking for
We seek apprentices who take initiative; are reliable and
responsible; work well with others and individually; have a
good sense of humor and a desire to have fun; appreciate
high quality work/ products; are excited about living in
community with others; possess a deep respect for others;
work hard; and are able to lift 55 lbs.
If you have a demonstrated interest in agriculture and the
physical ability to work a demanding farming schedule, then
we encourage you to apply for one of our positions.
aspects of farm life. This includes feeding and caretaking of
the livestock, milking, pasture rotation and management,
composting, seed propagation, transplanting, weeding,
mulching, greenhouse management, harvesting and post
harvest preparation as well as the use of biodynamic
preparations. We hold weekly meetings and offer discussion
groups – but expect a high level of self motivated
involvement in study activities.
Who we are looking for
We seek apprentices who take initiative; are reliable and
responsible; work well with others and individually; have a
good sense of humor and a desire to have fun; appreciate
high quality work/ products; are excited about living in
community with others; possess a deep respect for others;
work hard; and are able to lift 55 lbs.
If you have a demonstrated interest in agriculture and the
physical ability to work a demanding farming schedule, then
we encourage you to apply for one of our positions.
Housing and Compensation
Apprentices are accommodated in
their own shared house, where they
have to prepare their own meals and
organize their own household.
Furthermore, we provide access to a
share of our vegetables and a small
stipend of $500/month.
When does the program start?
We are accepting apprentices to start
as early as mid February or anytime
throughout the season depending on
vacancies.
North American Biodynamic
Apprenticeship Program
As of spring 2009, Woodbridge Farm
is going to be part of the North
American Biodynamic Apprenticeship
Program – a 2-year program that will
offer more theoretical and regional
support to apprentices. Please visit the
new website at www.bdtraining.org
Apprentices at our farm are
encouraged to participate in this new
program and reap the benefits of the
regional support and classroom
instruction.
Apprentices are accommodated in
their own shared house, where they
have to prepare their own meals and
organize their own household.
Furthermore, we provide access to a
share of our vegetables and a small
stipend of $500/month.
When does the program start?
We are accepting apprentices to start
as early as mid February or anytime
throughout the season depending on
vacancies.
North American Biodynamic
Apprenticeship Program
As of spring 2009, Woodbridge Farm
is going to be part of the North
American Biodynamic Apprenticeship
Program – a 2-year program that will
offer more theoretical and regional
support to apprentices. Please visit the
new website at www.bdtraining.org
Apprentices at our farm are
encouraged to participate in this new
program and reap the benefits of the
regional support and classroom
instruction.
2009 Woodbridge Farm apprenticeship program
structure and expectations:
A. Full time commitment to sharing in the farm-work:
i.e. 5 days/week plus 1 weekend/month.
Work-hours change according to the season and the
needs of the farm. Work hours are going to be
approximately: Nov – Feb 7:30 am – 12 pm and 2 pm –
5:30pm. March and April: 7-12 and 2-6pm. May-July:
6am-12pm and 1pm-6:30pm. Aug-Oct: 7am-12 and
2pm -6pm..
B. Tutorials are held once a week. Tutorials are
intended to offer an opportunity to study and discuss
topics related to the farming experiences in more
theoretical depths. It is expected that you contribute with
weekly reading and written assignments. There will be
no tutorials held in June.
C. You are expected to keep a daily apprenticeship
journal.
D. You are expected to participate in farm tours (on
weekends), workshops and classes offered as part of
the program which may take place on weekends (often
in addition to the farm work).
E. Winter study groups: during the winter months we
are holding weekly study groups on biodynamic farming
and/or anthroposophical topics.
F. Clear motivation for participating in the program
and a specification of learning goals.
G. The Intern house is expected to be kept clean
and orderly.
H. A farming apprenticeship is a hands-on learning
experience. Please consider that farming is a way of life,
a vocation if you will. It is inherently challenging –
physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. This
apprenticeship experience is an intense, intimate,
immersion experience. You will often spend the better
part of six days a week with the same 3-5 people. Farm-
work will consume the bulk of your time and energy – the
basics of getting yourself clean, fed and rested will
consume most of what time remains. It is important and
essential to have your priorities clear. Those who come
to a farming apprenticeship program with the singular
focus to increase stamina, knowledge, skills, experience
and confidence to someday be able to farm will likely
benefit most from this program.
Recreational Opportunities
Woodbridge Farm is located in the beautiful historical
landscape of the Salem Valley. There are extensive
forest-footpaths accessible for long walk, jogging and
riding. Public beaches are only a half an hour drive
away. Natural ponds and rivers are accessible in the
area’s state parks. There are train connections into both
New York City and Boston.
How to apply
If you think that Woodbridge Farm may be a good fit for
you than we encourage you to apply. Please supply us
with the following information as soon as possible. After
we review your information, we will contact you to
arrange a farm visit for an interview.
1. Please write a letter of motivation addressing the
following questions:
a. Why do you want to work on a farm?
b. Please tell us about any gardening or farm related
experience.
c. What do you hope to learn?
d. What sort of physical shape are you in?
e. Any special considerations we should know about
(diet, health)?
f. Do you have any other related work experiences or
skills? (example: education, carpentry, cooking)
g. When would you be available and for how long would
you like to stay?
2. Please include a resume
3. Please provide 3 employer references we can contact.
structure and expectations:
A. Full time commitment to sharing in the farm-work:
i.e. 5 days/week plus 1 weekend/month.
Work-hours change according to the season and the
needs of the farm. Work hours are going to be
approximately: Nov – Feb 7:30 am – 12 pm and 2 pm –
5:30pm. March and April: 7-12 and 2-6pm. May-July:
6am-12pm and 1pm-6:30pm. Aug-Oct: 7am-12 and
2pm -6pm..
B. Tutorials are held once a week. Tutorials are
intended to offer an opportunity to study and discuss
topics related to the farming experiences in more
theoretical depths. It is expected that you contribute with
weekly reading and written assignments. There will be
no tutorials held in June.
C. You are expected to keep a daily apprenticeship
journal.
D. You are expected to participate in farm tours (on
weekends), workshops and classes offered as part of
the program which may take place on weekends (often
in addition to the farm work).
E. Winter study groups: during the winter months we
are holding weekly study groups on biodynamic farming
and/or anthroposophical topics.
F. Clear motivation for participating in the program
and a specification of learning goals.
G. The Intern house is expected to be kept clean
and orderly.
H. A farming apprenticeship is a hands-on learning
experience. Please consider that farming is a way of life,
a vocation if you will. It is inherently challenging –
physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. This
apprenticeship experience is an intense, intimate,
immersion experience. You will often spend the better
part of six days a week with the same 3-5 people. Farm-
work will consume the bulk of your time and energy – the
basics of getting yourself clean, fed and rested will
consume most of what time remains. It is important and
essential to have your priorities clear. Those who come
to a farming apprenticeship program with the singular
focus to increase stamina, knowledge, skills, experience
and confidence to someday be able to farm will likely
benefit most from this program.
Recreational Opportunities
Woodbridge Farm is located in the beautiful historical
landscape of the Salem Valley. There are extensive
forest-footpaths accessible for long walk, jogging and
riding. Public beaches are only a half an hour drive
away. Natural ponds and rivers are accessible in the
area’s state parks. There are train connections into both
New York City and Boston.
How to apply
If you think that Woodbridge Farm may be a good fit for
you than we encourage you to apply. Please supply us
with the following information as soon as possible. After
we review your information, we will contact you to
arrange a farm visit for an interview.
1. Please write a letter of motivation addressing the
following questions:
a. Why do you want to work on a farm?
b. Please tell us about any gardening or farm related
experience.
c. What do you hope to learn?
d. What sort of physical shape are you in?
e. Any special considerations we should know about
(diet, health)?
f. Do you have any other related work experiences or
skills? (example: education, carpentry, cooking)
g. When would you be available and for how long would
you like to stay?
2. Please include a resume
3. Please provide 3 employer references we can contact.