Swallowtail Farm

Swallowtail Farm is located north of Alachua, along a fertile ridge of highland soil that crests the spine of Florida. We have crafted the farm as a model of sustainability and fine land stewardship, with a focus on appropriate scale, conservation of resources, and nature-produced fertility. No synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals will ever touch our fields or food.For the 2013-2014 season we are offering four full season apprentice positions. We also have work-trade internship opportunities, are accept wwoofers for shorter term arrangements, and have a lively volunteer culture at the farm. More Information on each of these is listed below:

Apprenticeships: 2013/14

We are currently accepting applications for our 2013/2014 season! Yay!

As an apprentice on Swallowtail Farm you will have the opportunity to learn about small scale, ecologically aware farming on a nascent family farm. We are not certified organic, but we do not use any chemicals or synthetic substances on our food or our fields what so ever. We are aspiring toward biodynamic; we have a philosophy that is focused on the holistic nature of farming and aim to create harmony within our farm. By no means are apprenticeships easy. They require hard work and long hours in the field, but offer the important benefit of being a part of the inner workings of the farm. The focus of our apprenticeship program is to work alongside folks with an earnest desire to learn about farming. Ideal candidates are self-motivated and looking for agricultural training with a community purpose.
Swallowtail Farm is a small diversified family farm located 20 miles NW of Gainesville Florida. We raise organically grown vegetables on a five acre plot on a 30 acre farm for a 130 member CSA, farmers markets, local restaurants, and farm to table dinners. Our farm is home to Noah Shitama and Emily Eckhardt (farmers), Mariana Riehm (our commuting farmer), Noah’s sweet little kiddos named Rain and Taye, a flock of 150 heritage breed laying hens, broiling chickens, heritage pigs, bee hives, a great Pyrenees named Isabel, a barn cat (turned house cat) named Boo, and soon to be cattle and sheep (we hope). We are a young farm going into our fifth season. We are focused on building infrastructure and creating efficient systems so that we may be a model for sustainable small scale farming methods.

At Swallowtail Farm, apprentices will share responsibility is all aspects of the farm and work closely with the farmers. Apprentices will learn about the tractors and farm equipment, propagation house management, irrigation systems, harvesting, post harvest handling, manning the booth at markets, distribution and deliveries, managing volunteer laborers, animal care, biodynamic farming philosophy, holistic farm management, rotational grazing practices (depending on current animal load), record keeping, event organizing, etc. Farming is hard work and requires a thirst for learning and getting your hands dirty. A full season commitment to a farm is no joke. You will need to be physically fit and capable of working long hours in the heat of the day alongside the farmers and your fellow apprentices. Although we appreciate our leisure time, we expect everyone to keep a fast pace when working and contribute consistently day after day. The labor involved in farming is mentally and physically demanding, but is also incredibly rewarding and fun. Please consider the commitment before applying. We offer intern and volunteer options for those who can’t commit to a full farming season.
Outline of what apprentices will be doing and how work is divided:
Field Work: Direct seeding beds, transplanting, weeding, thinning, mulching, laying out irrigation lines, trellising, working with frost cloth in the winter.
Propagation House Management: Seeding and labeling trays, keeping records of seeding dates, taking care of seedlings, cleaning and organizing prop house, setting transplanting calendar
Tractor Work: (only if you feel comfortable) Preparing beds, cultivating, spreading manure
Harvest/packing: Harvesting food, washing, sorting, packing, labeling all veggies
Markets: Manning the farmers market booth, CSA drop off distributions, setting up and breaking down tent and display, direct sales of veggies, explaining CSA to potential customers
Deliveries: Drop off food to restaurants, read order forms for proper quantities, keep accurate invoice records for both the farm and restaurants
Animal Chores: Feed and water livestock daily, collect and process eggs, change bedding, move electric fencing, close animal shelters up at night

We rotate chores weekly. This means every week you will be responsible for either breakfast, lunch, animal chores, propagation house management, house/cleaning chores, or markets. Depending on your assignment, your rising and quitting times will vary. For example, animals chores should be started before sunrise and depending on the situation will need to be checked on after dark.

Employment Details:

Our growing season here in Florida is exactly the opposite of the rest of the country. we are willing to be flexible with apprentice start and end dates. Our season begins in October and goes though the end of June. Ideally, we want people to stay this whole time, but we understand that most other farms need people to begin work in April or May. We are willing to work with you in this regard and will discuss start and end dates on a case by case basis if need be. We would like people to be available in September and Stay through the end of June.
We are offering three or four full season apprentice positions on the farm. Apprentices will be working full time, five full days per week, Monday through Friday. Work days will begin around 6:30am (sometimes earlier) and end around 4 (sometimes later) with an hour for breakfast and an hour for lunch built in.

Compensation:

Stipend- $200 month for full season apprentices
Housing- Lodging in either the loft area of our soon to be newly renovated barn or the yome( yurt-dome) on the property. There will be a shared kitchen and bath in the barn.
Food- We will provide staple foods (rice, honey, sugar, flour, milk, pasta, bread, beans, coffee, tea, cheese etc.) as well as farm produce, eggs, possibly some pork.

What to expect:

Generally you can expect to learn a lot, work hard and have fun. As started earlier, we are a young farm with young farmers who don’t know it all. The beauty and challenge of our operation is that apprentices and farmers are truly learning together and teaching each other. We will do our very best to facilitate your farming education in every way possible and teach you everything we know. That said, we are also still learning, and what a wonderful thing that is. Because we are not old hat farmers who are stuck in our ways, we allow for a lot of flexibility and tweaking as the season goes on. We are trying to figure out systems that work, and as an apprentice here you will have a large role in helping us do that. We value our apprentices endlessly and well formulated opinions are certainly always welcome and encouraged. Our wonderful folks who are here apprenticing as I write this for the 2012/13 season have become a cohesive unit. They are sweet to each other, look out for each other, and will be friends down the road. We love these guys dearly and are looking forward to a new crop of great people in the fall.

Qualifications:

We are looking for people (individuals, couples, small families depending on the situation) with a sincere interest in agriculture and the desire to farm or homestead in the future. Applicants should be self motivated, reliable, responsible, communicative, and committed. Apprentices should be able to get themselves up in the morning, clean up after themselves, and take responsibility for their actions. We are looking for people who are interested in taking initiative on the farm, who are motivated by concrete results and who have good people skills. Apprentices should be able to work in all weather conditions including cold, rain and extreme heat in the summer. Apprentices will work outside daily, lift up to fifty pounds, and use their backs and shoulders regularly. Although previous farming experience is not necessary, it is important to demonstrate a genuine commitment to the farming lifestyle and all the joys and hardships that come with it. Finding a good match between farmer and apprentice is essential. We are committed to teaching and learning through doing and we want our apprentices to be equally on board. Farming is hard work but the joy and fulfillment it brings is remarkable. Apprentices will work alongside the farmers, learn a lot, and have fun doing it.

We have a bit of collective experience with apprenticing/ volunteering here at Swallowtail. We would never ask an apprentice to do anything on the farm that we wouldn’t do. We are approaching the farmer/ apprentice relationship with high expectations, respect and gratitude. We love all the folks that come out to the farm; we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them. Our goal is to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable during their stay here. Thank you for your time and application! You’ll be hearing from us soon.

About The Farm and Surrounding Area:

The farm itself is situated on a lovely piece of land; bucolic bliss, really. Check out the photos on the website and facebook page to get a feel for the farm’s aesthetic. The city of Gainesville is about thirty minutes away by car and is the backbone of our farm community. Gainesville has got all the good stuff you would want in a progressive little town and more. The University of Florida is here and acts as a fountain of youth for the city, each fall producing a new brood of youngins. Gainesville has great restaurants, some of which we supply veggies to and many of which are locally and sustainably focused. We have a few great local grocers, including a wonderful community owned food co-op right downtown. There are coffee shops, music venues, festivals, community events, and art galleries galore, per usual for a college town, and the roads are pretty bicycle friendly. If you want the best of both worlds, this is the ideal situation. The farm has a wonderful built in social network, we are very blessed in that way. There are always people coming out to volunteer and help so there is no shortage of human interaction. It’s a really lively place at times.

Application:

Send the information listed below to Emily Eckhardt, emilyeckhardt127@gmail.com. Please include a resume, two personal and two professional references.

Name:

Date:

Phone Number:

E-mail:

Birth date:

1) We would like people here from the beginning of October through the end of June. We understand that our season is opposite of most of the country so we are willing to be flexible with start and end dates. When would you be available to begin working and when would you need to leave?

2) What are your personal goals related to agriculture? Do you plan to farm or homestead in the future?

3) What relevant agricultural experience do you currently have?

4) What are you most interested in learning about on the farm? (Animals, CSA, pasture management, how to garden, etc.)

5) Do you have experience living and working in a communal setting? Was the experience positive?

6) Do you have any physical limitations that would prevent you from working outside daily, lifting up to fifty pounds and working with your back and shoulders regularly?

7) We raise animals for meat and eggs on the farm. How do you feel about the role livestock plays in a small farm organism? Are you ok with the idea of helping to slaughter animals?

8) Do you have any dietary restrictions?

9) Do you have your own transportation?

10) What kinds of things do you like to do? What are your hobbies, travels, pastimes, etc?

11) Would you feel comfortable manning the booth at either a CSA pickup or farmers market on your own (with proper training)?

12) Do you have a driver’s license? Do you have any experience operating heavy equipment or would you be comfortable learning?

13) What is your favorite vegetable?

Noah Shitama

NoahKai@gmail.com

352-327-1175

Emily Eckhardt

EmilyEckhardt127@gmail.com

865-773-4230

WWOOFing & Short Term Farm Stays:

Depending upon the timing and the groove of the season, we may have short term farm stay opportunities. Please contact one of us BEFORE you fill out this application to see if we are accepting folks at this time. Emily- (865)773-4230 or Noah- (352) 327-1175

We are looking for people with a sincere interest in agriculture and all aspects of farm work. Applicants should be self motivated, reliable, responsible, communicative, and committed, with excellent people skills and self awareness. WWOOFers should be able to get themselves up in the morning, clean up after themselves, and take responsibility for their actions. You should be able to work in all weather conditions including cold, rain and extreme heat alongside the farmers, apprentices and volunteers. We are a working farm with a fast pace and we expect anyone who wants to come stay here to be prepared to keep up and contribute.

Details:
At a minimum, we expect farm stays to last for two weeks. If everything is going smoothly, we would love to have people for longer than that. The maximum amount of time a WWOOFer may stay is two months (with some exceptions). After the first few days we will check in with you to make sure things are going well. If things are not jiving, we reserve the right to ask you to leave the farm at any time.
WWOOFers are welcome to camp on the farm. We do not have any permanent housing for short term stays at this time. You will need to bring your own tent and supplies. You are welcome to use the barn bathroom, kitchen and laundry during your stay. You will be sharing this space with our full season apprentices and so the upmost level of cleanliness is required.

Details

You are expected to work five full days per week, Monday through Friday alongside the apprentices and farmers. These are our busiest days and are therefore the most fun! The days will generally end around 3 or 4 with an hour in between for lunch. Friday and Saturday you are free to do as you please. We will definitely feed you breakfast and lunch on your workdays and if you catch us on your off days and want to join us you’re more than welcome. You are welcome to cook in the barn for dinner. We will provide staple foods (rice, honey, sugar, flour, milk, pasta, beans, coffee, tea, cheese etc.) as well as farm produce, eggs, possibly some pork.
Activities you will be helping with on the farm include:
Field Work: Direct seeding beds, transplanting, weeding, thinning, mulching, laying out irrigation lines, trellising
Propagation House Management: Seeding and labeling trays, keeping records of seeding dates, taking care of seedling, cleaning and organizing prop house,
Harvest/packing: Harvesting food, washing, sorting, packing, labeling all veggies
Markets: Helping at the farmers market booth, CSA drop off distributions, setting up and breaking down tent and display, direct sales of veggies, explaining CSA to potential customers
Deliveries: Helping to drop off food to restaurants, read order forms for proper quantities, keep accurate invoice records for both the farm and restaurants
Animal Chores: Helping to feed and water livestock, collect and process eggs, change bedding, move electric fencing, close animal shelters up at night

Short Term Stay Application