- Farms
- Posts
- People
Resources
We are an organic small family farm in our 13th year developing a beautiful property @2500 feet in Nevada County in the Northern Sierra. Amigo is in his 37th year as an organic farmer. We provide hands on training, supplemental education, a good working environment and an extended family home. We like to work hard and have fun, too. The residents are Amigo Bob Cantisano, Jenifer Bliss and Abby Shinn.
Educational opportunities: Organic Plant Propagation, Nursery
Work, Grafting and Budding, Greenhouse Production, Vegetable, Flower and Herb Market Gardening, Berry
and Grape Production, Orcharding, Direct Marketing, Composting, Seed
Production, Heirloom Plant Exploration and Propagation, Homesteading Skills,
Small Equipment Management, Ornamental Management, Community Living, Wildcrafting, Vegetarian
and Vegan Food Preparation (and consumption!), Food Preserving Skills such as
drying, juicing, fermentation, baking, canning, freezing. Check Google on
Amigo Bob Cantisano to learn more about us. Amigo is the farm owner. Amigo, Jenifer and Abby co-manage the farm, provide education and support. This year we will host three interns.
We live and grow on a gorgeous 11 acres on the San Juan Ridge, between the Middle and South Forks of the Yuba River at 2500' in the northern Sierra Nevada, 30 minutes from Nevada City and Grass Valley. Our farm is a mixture of productive fields, orchards, pines, oaks, madrone, cedar and fir forest, with a seasonal creek and four distinct seasons. We live and participate in an interesting, diverse community with a very active rural cultural scene.
We offer a supportive environment for growth, community living, education and fun. We grow a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, berries, flowers, herbs, seedlings, ornamentals, perennial heirloom nursery stock, chickens and bees, using mostly hand methods and limited machinery. We do most of the work by hand or with small machinery. We market to farmers markets, at a community farmstand, wholesale to stores and restaurants, direct to consumers and at select events. You will learn a lot and have a good time living and working on a diverse organic farm.
We provide all food, 95% organic, much home grown. Although we eat predominantly vegetarian and vegan, omnivores are welcome. We prepare one meal each day together. Other meals are commonly eaten together. We have a great outdoor kitchen, dining and relaxation area, composting toilets, heated outdoor shower, and all the basic comforts including electricity, laundry, computer, videos, phone and much more.
You will get housing and board, continuing education and a small stipend. Apprentices work 40-50 hours per week in exchange for excellent organic food, housing (room, solar powered trailer, tipi or tent) and a $75 weekly stipend. Hours above 50 hours per week earn $8.00 per hour, starting wage. There is opportunity to earn a generous bonus at season's end.
What we need from you: A strong interest in agriculture and homesteading, love of nature, good work ethic, great attitude, flexibility, community cooperation, a good sense of humor, and open and ongoing communication. We prefer folks with previous farm experience. We only take single people, no couples or families, sorry. We need your commitment for the entire growing season, March through November. Sorry, we are not able to accommodate short-term interns.
Please contact us for an apprentice application or further information. The deadline is January 1, 2013 or until the positions are filled. We decide on our crew in early January, after phone interviews of the finalists. We look forward to hearing from you.
When does your season start?
Hi. Mature, responsible family is looking for a farm to call home. Able to commit long-term. Please let us know if you are open to family situation. Thank you