FARM APPRENTICESHIP
Are you interested in finding a way to connect with the land, food, and flowers? Have you always been curious about growing your own food but don’t have the time or ability for a farm job? Want to just pick beautiful flowers in a field near the mountains for a few hours a week?
US TOO! Come connect with Juniper Farm through an apprenticeship. We would love to have you and make an apprenticeship work for you regardless of circumstances so please contact with any questions you may have.
OPPORTUNITY
Apprentices/volunteers have always been a part of the success of Juniper Farm because the farm is a place where community and friendships should thrive. Therefore, building community, learning, getting in touch with the land, and spending time gazing at flowers are just as important as the farm work. This is a really excellent way for folks new to farming to get exposure to the garden without needing to commit to a full season job. Or, even if you are an extremely busy person and just want to pick flowers on the weekend—this outlet allows you to do so!
The apprentice will be a part of all aspects of the operation and can expect to learn skills related to growing food and flowers. These skills will include soil building, harvesting, storage, irrigation, seed starting, marketing, and floral arranging. They would also have the ability to learn aspects of farming that align most with their interests.
DETAILS
We host apprentices part-time from May- September. It is best if community members interested can commit to a full season as it allows exposure to what a growing season looks like. Additionally, we expect you to commit to a minimum of 4 hours/week at the same time each week. For greater exposure to what farming looks like in the Roaring Fork Valley we suggest committing for 1-2 days per week.
Responsibilities would vary on the farm through the seasons but should provide experience in food and flower production in the Roaring Fork Valley. As a farm apprenticeship, it will continue to require on-the-ground work that includes weeding, seeding, harvesting, dead heading, and preparing beds.
TASKS AND TIMING
MAY: Seed starting, bed preparation, irrigation, starting produce seeds outdoors
JUNE: Transplanting flowers, tomatoes, and warm season crops; harvesting greens, starting spring CSA, starting Farmers Market
JULY: Harvesting produce, maintaining farm, seeding new crops, focused on food production
AUGUST: Harvesting/selling flowers, arranging flowers, selling at markets, potential for weddings/events, harvesting warm season farm crops
SEPTEMBER: Harvesting/selling flowers, arranging flowers, selling at markets, potential for weddings/events, harvesting warm season farm crops, seeding fall crops, preparing for fall crops