Indian Line Farm has two apprentice positions available each season. We’ve been in business since 1997, and seek to share our skills and knowledge with those who want to learn.

An apprenticeship is more than just a job as a farm laborer. Sure, you will learn plenty simply by doing, as the majority of your experience will include performing tasks such as greenhouse management, seeding, transplanting, cultivating with hoes and tractors, ground preparation, irrigation, harvesting and cover cropping. You will experience CSA management and retail selling at farmers’ markets. In addition, you will gain leadership experience working with CSA volunteers who come to the farm on a weekly basis.

What makes an apprenticeship special is the extra effort that we make as farmers to provide unique educational opportunities. For example, our apprentices can expect to have monthly one-on-one meetings with the farmer(s) to discuss agricultural topics of particular interest to them.

In addition, we are proud to offer our apprentices the opportunity to participate in the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT). The mission of CRAFT is to be a cooperative effort of local organic and biodynamic farms organized to enhance the educational opportunities for farm interns. The hope is to:

• give a broader experience to interns than they can receive on their farm alone;
• a peer base to help interns connect with others who share similar goals; and,
• increase the skill base in sustainable agriculture.
  

For more information on the CRAFT PROGRAM check out www.brookfieldfarm.org

Being an apprentice involves lots of hard work and effort, and is not for the faint of heart. The mid-season work day at Indian Line Farm begins at 6 am and ends at 5 pm, Monday through Friday, with a half hour morning break and 1 1/2 hour lunch (9 hour work day). In addition to the 9 hour work day, we rotate responsibilities in the distribution room on Tuesday and Friday afternoons (avg. 2 hrs/wk) and at the Great Barrington Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings (avg. 3 hrs/wk). Finally, some of the CRAFT visits will be held on Saturday morning, and apprentices are expected to attend.

We share three lunches and one evening meal a week. For first year apprentices, we pay $500.00/month (subject to taxes) as well as a $100.00 food stipend. In accordance with the Workers’ Compensation Act, apprentices are provided with an insurance policy that will furnish hospital and medical services, in the event that personal injuries arise out of and in the course of employment. Apprentices are encouraged to eat what they grow on the farm. Housing is provided.

For more information on our program and to get an application please contact Elizabeth Keen.