White Oak Farm is offering a unique Farm Internship Program for 2019. The program will be focused on teaching skills and techniques including organic farming for market, CSA, and seed production; natural building; childrens education, and homesteading.

Specific skills include: care of livestock, planting, cultivation, harvesting, marketing, food preservation, carpentry, and forestry. Interns will have the opportunity to learn through hands-on experiential participation in the tasks of the farm, as well as through a self-directed project, and through classes and tours of area farms.

We are offering two different internship programs in 2019. One focused on Environmental Education, and one on Organic Farming. There will be ample opportunities for crossover between the two programs, but the area’s of focus will be clear.

The Farming Internship Program is designed to provide experience to people with an interest in developing their knowledge and skills for a life and career in farming, orcharding, animal husbandry and homesteading. The Farming Internship at White Oak Farm has been run in various forms for 15 seasons and is designed to provide experience and training to people with a passion for developing their knowledge and skills for a life and career in farming and homesteading. The program requires hard work, a good attitude, the ability to live and work with others, and self-motivation. Interns should be “go-getters” and be able to handle the rigors of a diverse and busy season. Responsibilities of the internship include five 8-10 hour days per week on the farm as well as daily chores. Farm interns are also expected to have a positive attitude, communicate clearly, be self-motivated, and work hard.

Our program runs from April 1st to October 31, with a one-month trial period, and a one-week vacation. Over the courses of the season, interns will gain experience and confidence in the following: Harvest for CSA and Farmers Market, Wash & Pack process, Direct marketing – running a farmers’ market, Planting & fieldwork, Irrigation systems, Equipment maintenance,  Growing Seed Crops, Field walks/crop observation, Goat Milking/cheese making, Food preservation, Organic Certification, Time management, Crop planning, Fertility management, Tools & equipment.

The Environmental Education internship is geared toward folks who want to develop their skills and experience as educators in natural settings including farm, field, and forest. Throughout our season of school visits, farm camps, and preschool, interns will have the opportunity to learn skills, techniques, and curriculum for children’s outdoor education through trainings with White Oak staff and by conducting field trips, summer camps, and a preschool program, alongside staff, for visiting children ages 3-15. There will also be ample opportunity for work and learning on the farm, including planting, weeding, harvest, food preservation, animal husbandry and more.

Responsibilities of the internship include five 8-10 hour days per week as well as daily chores. Education interns are also expected to have a positive attitude, communicate clearly, be self-motivated, and work hard. Both program requires hard work, a good attitude, the ability to live and work with others, and self-motivation.

Interns receive simple housing in their own wall tent or tipi, a monthly stipend, staple foods, farm fruits and vegetables, and access to farm facilities including kitchen, phone, internet, showers and ponds. Responsibilities of the Farm Internship include five days per week on the farm as well as daily chores. Interns are also expected to communicate clearly, be self-motivated, and work hard. Prior experience in aspects of farm life and/or childrens education is recommended for participation.