Dietz Produce farm is looking for an intern or two for 2013, any time between March and September. We are a small farm, with a diverse range of vegetables and small fruits in production on about two acres.

We also have a small flock of about 100 free range laying hens, a few pet goats, a pot-bellied pig, and a German Shepherd/Husky mix named Duke. We use natural methods, but are not certified organic.  Our farming is very small-scale, concentrating on manual labor for many tasks. This is a production-oriented farm, and it is crucial to the sustainability of the farm to get all the work completed in a timely manner. Punctuality is important, working steadily at a reasonable rate is expected. Conversations during work are encouraged as long as they don't detract from the work. You can expect to do plenty of planting, hoeing, weeding, mulching, picking of fruits and vegetables. Work days vary in length, but start as early as 7 am in the hot summer months. We work in all kinds of weather, 6 days a week. Some tasks can be repetitive and monotonous, but that's just the nature of the beast. It takes hard work to produce good food. Interns are expected to work an average of at least 8 hours a day. It may seem like a lot, but if you start your own farm, someday, you'll realize what a luxury 8 hour days can be. I go to market at York Central Market three days a week, so some days will likely be spent going to market. It's nice having the variety of field work and market work alternating throughout the week.
We are located 11 miles from York and 17 miles from Lancaster, and are about an hour's drive from Baltimore, 2 hours drive from Philadelphia. So, there are opportunities to get off the farm and explore local culture at times, as long as you are able to provide your own transportation. It's not ALL nonstop work!
We are an Anabaptist family, with some members practicing a traditional lifestyle. While we're happy to share our beliefs with interested folks, we don't try to push them on anyone. So there's no need to fear any religious weirdness from us.
Lodging is either a bedroom in the house, or camping in the back lawn. There is a shared bathroom and shared kitchen. We have wi-fi internet, but no television. We offer a modest stipend of $50 a week for living expenses.
If you are a hard-working person dedicated to organic ideals, motivated to learn a broad range of how to farm vegetables on a small scale, then this may be a good fit for you!
For inquiries, please contact David Dietz at: [email protected]