About the Resident Farmer Program

YOU

Interns – with limited experience and provided directed activities – and Farmers with more experience and self-directed, are offered the following incentives additional to shared crop income. Informal seasonal housing options are included from tent camping, travel trailers, to actual bedrooms. Interns and Farmers are offered paid work in the native landscaping arm of the associated ecological services company Inner-coastal Ecological Services. 

Paid hours at $12-16, depending on experience and ability would be limited to allow time for farming activities.  The local service economy is pressed for summer labor and anyone interested would be assisted in advance to obtain part time evening work. A 30-hour farm workweek is envisioned to allow for exploring this beautiful region; bikes and boats are provided.  See the 2023 Project tab below.

THE FARM

A native plant nursery is established, the farm at present is an open slate composed of a grassland of smooth brome, timothy, and spotted knapweed; peppered with pines, juniper, and wild cherry trees.  The whole of it is certified organic. Twenty-four acres have been cleared for hay and grain production.

A small fenced area of improved soils for gardening has been established.  This will serve as a seed nursery for rare heritage grains and pulse (chickpeas, lentils) that, once multiplied, will be planted with conventional equipment to the larger fields once the soils are improved by grazing and farm-produced biochar.

A four-acre parcel will be created with livestock fencing to develop herds and flocks of heritage breed sheep, ducks, and chickens.  While requiring extended participation, those involved with husbandry could own a portion of the increased populations as monetary reward. Hay, grain, and vegetable production will all generate income for Interns and Farmers within a single growing season.

Under cropping of a four-acre pine plantation with edible wild plants has been initiated and would continue in 2023, using these initial plantings to root new plants through cuttings.  These species include blueberry, cranberry, lingonberry, and thimbleberry. This and aspects of the local genotype native plant nursery production would benefit greatly from horticulture students.

Black locust poles and lumber have been acquired, equipment such as a tractor, cultivating and seeding implements, farm truck, and two 4400 JD combines are owned.  A no-till Truax drill is available from the conservation district.  The 22-foot locust poles will encircle a 14-acre field serving as deer fence and for hop and other vine production. The lumber will be used to create shelter.

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