Email cover letter and resume to Kate Joyce, Executive Director at talmar@talmar.org.
These 3 Farm Management Apprentice positions are intended for candidates with a foundation of farming experience (the equivalent of at least 2 full years/4 full farming seasons or an agricultural degree preferred) who are seeking more experience in farm management. These positions are not intended for those who are new to farming.
TALMAR’s small farm is meant to serve as a living, growing, changing tool for our therapeutic programs. We interplant vegetables, cut flowers, herbs and grains as a means to teach sustainable agriculture, provide a changing and therapeutic environment, nurture the soil, and encourage the healthy regeneration of soil and beneficial insects.
TALMAR’s year-round team develops therapeutic and vocational training programs, where people with disabilities and other special needs have opportunities to engage with the farm, foster a connection with nature, learn sustainable agriculture, and make new friends. The seasonal team members support these efforts by planning and executing a planting plan that showcases the diversity of colors, textures, flavors and life stages crops exhibit. They plan and manage a farm stand and offer workshops. They share ideas with other team members and learn from every triumph and mistake we make.
Starting in 2022, TALMAR added three apprenticeship positions for emerging farmers looking for experience managing a community-farm environment and training on working with people with disabilities, including developmental and intellectual disabilities, mental illness, and traumatic brain injuries. This is an excellent opportunity for people seeking management experience. TALMAR’s approach is collaborative– everyone is a team player.
The opportunity for 2023 is closed. Applications to start January 2024 will be accepted anytime and help for review until October. Monthly stipend $1000. Housing in a shared 3-bedroom house on campus is included.
Primary vegetable farmer: Working with the entire team, plan which seeds to plant, plugs to purchase, and develop a planting plan for intercropping companion plants and successive plantings to keep the field full. Overall responsible for about one acre of farmland. The crops will be used in our programs and sold to the community-at-large at an on-farm stand. This is a great position for a candidate with agriculture experience who wants some managerial experience. Teamwork is critical– working with not only the rest of the TALMAR team, but the program participants who will be in the fields as often as possible.
* TALMAR is a certified naturally grown farm. Interplanting, crop rotation and IPM are primary methods to minimize pests. Chemical herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers are not allowed.
* The primary vegetable farmer manages a spring seedling sale with the support of the entire team.
Primary flower farmer: Working with the entire team, plan which seeds to plant and plugs to purchase. You’re thinking about flowers to grow not only for bouquets to sell at an on-farm stand, but flowers to dry for winter wreaths and use in therapeutic programs. You’ll also be thinking about toxicity and other considerations given that you’ll be working with people with disabilities.
* TALMAR is a certified naturally grown farm. Interplanting, crop rotation and IPM are primary methods to minimize pests. Chemical herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers are not allowed.
* Flower growing, bunching, eating, etc are all points of interest among the community-at-large. The primary flower farmer will be asked to host at least two workshops about arranging flowers, edible blossoms, medicinal herbs that double as flowers, or the like.
Greenhouse and laying hens farmer: TALMAR’s greenhouse is the most wheel-chair accessible and all-weather space on campus. The greenhouse farmer will coordinate seed sowing/ watering/ transplanting with the other farmer apprentices and create a living educational environment inside the greenhouse for vocational and therapeutic learning. This position will also be responsible for TALMAR’s laying hens, including rearing chicks and ensuring overall health. The flock size varies between 20-40 hens. The greenhouse has never been used to its full potential, so this is a great opportunity for a creative grower.
FAQ:
What does the housing include?
The farm apprentices have a private bedroom in a shared three-bedroom house. One shared bathroom and a shared kitchen. Propane stove. The house is located inside of Cromwell Valley Park. There are a washing machine and dryer on site. No dishwasher.
If I live in the area, do I have to live at TALMAR?
We are able to offer housing because the occupants of the house are responsible for opening and closing the gates to Cromwell Valley Park at dawn and dusk, as well as morning and evening care of TALMAR’s chickens. You are not required to sleep in the house every night, but you will be responsible for these morning and evening chores several times a week.
What about time off?
Apprentices accrue time off and are encouraged to plan vacations, mental health breaks, etc. Everyone is expected to work the first weekend in May (seedling sale on Saturday), the Friday/ Saturday/ Sunday weekend after Thanksgiving, and one Saturday in late September (annual picnic). You will coordinate your schedule with the rest of the TALMAR team to ensure every day has a small work team. You will average between 35-50 hours/ week over 5 days.
