Who We Are: Soul Fire Farm is a family farm that taps deep into our commitment to justice and dismantling oppressive systems and structures. We are a mixed race family of 4 living rurally in a natural straw bale, solar house that we built. Our work at Soul Fire Farm is connected to the dismantling of oppressive structures that surround us, and particularly in our food system. SFF is a space where people of color and women in particular have access to the powerful connection to the land. We have a commitment to developing and supporting leadership of POC within the food system. Our small, hand-scale farm and homestead that feeds our family plus around 40 families in the nearby cities of Troy and Albany, NY. We intensively cultivate 1 acre in vegetables and fruits, and 5 acres of pasture for egg and meat chickens. Hudson Valley Natural Building is our business that occasionally designs and builds homes, using natural techniques such as straw bale, timber frame, and natural finishes, as well as teaching workshops.

 

What to Expect: Interns work 32 hours per week (approximately 4 days @ 8 hours) in exchange for room and board. Work is primarily farm work with occasional building and infrastructure projects on farm. There is occasionally an off-farm building project. Farm projects include expanding the gardens through large scale sheet mulching, digging beds, planting, weeding, harvesting, packing, delivering CSA shares, chopping firewood, media and outreach, caring for animals, and preserving food. Building projects may include general carpentry, assisting in workshops, working on straw bale house projects, designing, and building earth ovens, sauna, and outdoor kitchen.

 

Interns are integrated into our family, so in addition to farm work, are expected to regularly contribute to cooking and rotating household chores. We eat three, wholesome, hot meals a day. Our work starts at dawn and we work hard even in bad weather. Farmers, Jonah and Leah work 40+ hours a week, so we will offer support in carving out your own personal time. Each day starts with schedule overview and short personal reflection.

 

Interns are part of weekly farm planning and scheduling meetings. In addition, we offer a weekly skillshare, lecture or discussion on a topic of your choosing. The diversity of skillshare offering reflects our commitment to sharing all we know to help you grow as a farmer/homesteader and personally. We also are deeply involved with community organizations and grassroots work in Albany and Troy, and love to connect you with a diversity of off-farm learning opportunities.

 

Participants have the option to live in our house, barn, or tent, and are part of our family and community. Room and board is included. We have lots of fun gatherings with trapeze, music, food, laughter, and kids.

 

What You Bring: The ideal applicant has strong understanding and commitment to issues of food justice, particularly POC. Other sought skills include comfort with using hand tools such as a shovel, hoe, rake, and pitch fork. Additional skills we are seeking include general carpentry knowledge and comfort using power and hand tools. Being an independent hard worker is a must. Also useful would be someone computer/media savvy. Being comfortable with cooking with whole foods is a plus, but also a place to learn during your internship. Having a car is recommended but not necessary, as we take regular trips to the cities nearby.

 

Application Process: Please fill out the online form or print it and send it via mail. Also contact us for an initial conversation and to find a time for an interview. You are welcome anytime from April-October 2013, ideally for a 4 week minimum.