So, you want to be a farmer? These are a few of the things you will learn as an apprentice at Happy Hollow Farm:

• composting and methods of soil fertility management
• crop planning & rotations
• propagation (both in a greenhouse and direct seeding) of a wide variety of vegetables, herbs, and flowers
• organic pest and disease management
• an introduction to farm equipment use & maintenance
• proper harvest and post-harvest handling techniques
• selling and marketing via farmers markets & thru the CSA
• how to work effectively as a team player
• and much more!

My first experience with Community Supported Agriculture was as a member of a CSA farm while in grad school. I was hooked; you could say I had found my calling. But I didn’t know the first thing about farming! So, I attended a few organic farming conferences in upstate New York and everyone I talked to said I should intern on a few farms before venturing out on my own. I’m VERY thankful that I listened to their suggestions! I learned an enormous amount and am certain saved myself countless mistakes, time & money by working with other farmers.
When hiring interns/apprentices farming experience is definitely not the first thing I look for; what I do want are a willingness to work hard, learn what I have to teach and all the while enjoy what you’re doing! Most people figure out very quickly that they aren’t happy doing the physical work day in and day out if farming is not truly their own shared long term goal. My goal with providing an internship opportunity is to teach as much as I know about all aspects of farming from greenhouse work, in the field planting & weeding, planning/scheduling/organizing, bugs & diseases, equipment repair & maintenance, construction skills (when applicable), and everything else in between. While simultaneously working, working, working (in all weather) and having fun and enjoying the work while we do it.
An apprenticeship with Happy Hollow Farm will provide a great experience on a certified organic vegetable farm as well as an extensive learning opportunity for new farmers wanting to get their hands dirty and experience the good, the bad, the ugly & the immense rewards of organic farming.
APPRENTICESHIP DETAILS
Spring/Summer/Fall Season: April 1st thru October 31st. The Summer CSA season runs for 25 weeks. Start time depends greatly on the weather and how early I can get into the fields; however, I start seeding in the greenhouse in mid-February with the goal of distributing the first shares the second week of May. The 8 week long winter CSA season begins the week after the summer season ends.
Work Hours: 8:00-5:00 Tues., Wed., Thurs., Fri. & Sat.(with a 1 hour lunch each day). These hours are a rough estimate as there are always days where we work longer or cut off early. This is NOT like any other job you’ve had. It is very weather dependent and if we have another year like 2010 I have to take advantage of every dry moment there is. One lunch each week (Thursday) will be potluck style and shared with all people on the farm that day.
Stipend & Housing & Food: $400/month, housing provided (near the farm), an Egg Share & a Single Share membership in the CSA for the 25 week season.
Scheduled class time: As this is an apprenticeship position there will be a one hour scheduled class time every other week and a book about farming that will be used as a semi-texbook (the farm will provide the book).
If you are interested in an apprenticeship opportunity at Happy Hollow Farm please submit a cover letter including:

• Why you are interested in an apprenticeship on Happy Hollow Farm
• What you hope to learn during your time spent at Happy Hollow Farm
• List your previous farming experiences, if any
• If you have any previous commitments during the specified work dates

Please mail your cover letter and a copy of your resume to:
Liz Graznak
Happy Hollow Farm, LLC
17199 Happy Hollow Road
Jamestown, MO 65046