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quail hill farm seeks apprentices

Posted: February 11 2013

Located in Amagansett, NY, Quail Hill Farm is a stewardship project of the Peconic Land Trust. Quail Hill was one of the first CSA farms in the U.S., and since its first season in 1990, Quail Hill Farm has grown to 30 acres of production.
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The farm serves over 250 CSA member families, provides produce to local schools, restaurants, food pantries, and also sells at two farmers' markets. In addition, the farm serves as a resource for local beginning farms and community gardens. Each year Quail Hill Farm signs on to the "Farmer's Pledge" of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York: "to sustain the land in healthy condition for future generations." The Quail Hill Farm crop list contains over 500 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. The farm community also includes an overly mature apple orchard, young peach trees, several varieties of raspberries, a few hives of bees, a flock of hens and ducks, and a diversity of birds on the flyway. The Farm, using 3 greenhouses, 5 tractors, extensive irrigation, and a healthy collection of hoes, offers both a Summer and a Winter Share.
QHF Apprentices are an integral part of our farm team, and throughout the season are involved in most aspects of the farm, including: seeding, greenhouse production, soil mix preparation, composting, cultivating, harvesting and washing for market, caring for chickens and ducks, orchard maintenance, working with CSA members, and working with local community and school gardens. Tractor work is a possibility for the right candidates. The work week, which includes the Saturday harvest day and market, is five and a half days.
We welcome Apprentices with all levels of agricultural experience; we only ask that they are hard workers, are self-motivated and have a persistently positive attitude and a sincere passion for sustainability. Must be able to work well with a diverse group of co-workers, volunteers, and farm members in all weather conditions. Participation in a mandatory tractor safety course, time management skills, along with a sense of humor, are essential. Current drivers license and ability to operate manual transmissions are helpful.
In exchange, we offer free housing close to the farm, an hourly minumum wage, produce from the farm, and a beautiful summer close to the Atlantic Ocean. We also offer many educational opportunities for our apprentices, including: Attending the NOFA summer conference, touring neighboring farms, access to the farm library, and QHF farm walks with our managers to discuss different topics in our fields. In 2013, we will also be piloting a curriculum focused on agroecology and sustainable farm practices.
Our apprenticeship lasts from March through November, roughly, but can be flexible for the right candidate. Applicants who can visit the farm for an interview are strongly preferred. Deadline: Feb 15. Contact [email protected] or (631) 267-8492. Please visit http://www.peconiclandtrust.org/Quail_Hill_Farm.html for more information!

hudson, new york