Thank you for your interest in interning at Kettle Pond Farm. Kettle Pond Farm is in its fifth season of operation. For the 2010 season we are looking for three unique individuals to intern from April through October. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about sustainable organic farming by farming! We hope to foster a learning atmosphere that will benefit the farm and the interns. There are plenty of opportunities for interns to share their skills and interests with the farm whether it be writing an article for the weekly newsletter or helping with educational programs.

The land that makes up Kettle Pond Farm is owned by Alex and Chris Houtzager. A portion of this land is managed by Stephen Murray and Kelly O’Neill. Kelly and Steve manage the KPF Community Supported Agriculture program and act as intern supervisors. They are both former interns under Curtis Feather, KPF’s farm manager from 2006-2007.

We are looking forward to a great season and eager to share the experience!

Benefits Include:

• Housing:
  

  The farm house is fully furnished and very comfortable (one single and one double room for interns) Wireless Internet and a land line Laundry facilities The farm house will be home to three interns as well as two co-managers. The farm is home to one cat as well. Please let us know if you are allergic!

• Participation in the summer NOFA conference
  
• Workers Compensation
  
• Time off as agreed upon
  
• Access to study materials
  
• Fresh Vegetables and Eggs
  

THE INTERNSHIP..

The work week will consist of 5 full days from 7am-4pm (one hour lunch break) with one day till 7pm watching the pick-up area and about one weekend per month. The weekend responsibilities include watching the farm stand, harvesting and animal chores. General farm duties include:

• Field Preparation
  
• Greenhouse seeding and maintenance
  
• Field seeding and transplanting
  
• Hand cultivating and harvesting
  
• Irrigation set-up and control
  
• CSA harvesting and preparation
  
• Maintaining crop records and notes
  
• Mowing and general maintenance
  
• Chicken chores such as watering, feeding, moving fencing and egg collection
• Working in unsavory weather conditions

We welcome all applicants. No previous farm experience is necessary, but we do require that applicants be able to lift 50 lbs and have their own health insurance.

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Educational Value .. Our offering

An intern at KPF will learn to grow and cultivate a wide variety of vegetables using organic practices. They will learn about composting, soil fertility, nutrient dense crops, green manures, sustainable food systems and season extension. In addition, interns will learn how to harvest, store, and preserve a diverse array of vegetables and some fruit. Interns will participate in running a CSA operation as well as work with members and volunteers providing educational experiences for others.

• Interns will have access to our library of books, magazines, and newsletters, as well as any DVD’s we might have.
  
• As part of orientation interns will be given mandatory reading assignments and other readings may be suggested throughout their stay.
  
• Interns will attend weekly house meetings featuring varied farm topics ranging from genetically modified crops to water conservation.
  
• Interns will be given the opportunity to attend the Summer NOFA conference at UMass Amherst.
  
• Interns will have the opportunity to visit other local farms and learn about their operations.

At the end of their stay, an intern should have the knowledge base to produce sustainably grown, nutrient dense vegetables, as well as the ability to engage community members in this endeavor.

Policies Re: Time off, visitors, pets,

Time Off - Interns should let us know of any prior commitments at the start of their farm stay. Because of the nature of farming, we are looking for interns committed to working the required hours. If there is a situation in which time off is needed, it can be negotiated. Likewise, if an intern is sick, time off will be granted.

Visitors – Interns may have visitors stay for up to a week. Visitors must, however, put in a half day of farm work for each day of their stay Mon-Fri. Interns will be responsible for the behavior of their visitors.

Pets – Unfortunately, interns may not bring pets with them to the farm. The farm is already the home to two cats, a dog, and anywhere between 2-5 people.

Alcohol and Drugs – If an intern is found to be using any illegal drug, they will be dismissed. Alcohol is allowed for interns 21 and over. If the use of alcohol is negatively affecting farm work, an intern may be dismissed.

Dismissal – An intern can be dismissed at any time if managers feel the intern is negatively impacting life in the house or crops in the field. Warnings will be given before dismissal.

Equipment/Safety

Farming involves many hazards. As a result, safety is one of our top priorities at Kettle Pond Farm. An intern will be doing physical labor and should be prepared for it. It is important to be aware of the risks to your body with the repeated bending, crouching, lifting, etc., of everyday farm tasks. We strongly encourage stretching daily.

We also require eye and ear protection when using machinery such as the rototiller, mower, and weed whacker. Interns interested in using this equipment will be given the proper training to do so. Interns will also be instructed on the proper use of hand tools such as hoes and wheel cultivators

Kettle Pond Farm
181 Bay View Avenue
Berkley, Mass 02779 US
508-822-6919