Rogue Farm Corps: FarmsNOW Advanced Internship Program

FarmsNOW is an advanced training program that is designed for the student who has a solid foundation of farm knowledge, skills, experience, and the goal of running their own farm enterprise. This program will take beginning farmers to the next step, prepping them for running a successful independent business. FarmsNOW is designed for those seeking mastery in the art and business of farming—the program will dig deep into planning, designing and running integrated farming systems.

Education Components:

1. Field-based training and hands-on learning (~40 hours/week)

The majority of the program will be focused on learning by doing.

Over time, the student will be expected to share responsibilities with the farmers. These tasks will generally include overseeing transplant crew and harvest crew, helping with wash and pack, tractor cultivation, field walks and observation, record keeping,  produce deliveries, setting up and running farmers markets, and general farm maintenance.

2. Practical skills and business classes and seminars

In addition to the hands-on training provided by our Host Farms, interns will attend a series of classes facilitated by RFC and OSU Extension Small Farms.

Classroom/seminar topics may include:

• Managing labor & human resources
• Choosing & maintaining farm equipment
• Designing irrigation systems
• Enterprise selection & diversification
• Integrating perennial & annual cropping systems
• Post-harvest handling/food safety
• Long-term soil fertility/advanced soil science
• Integrating livestock and specialty crops
• Book-keeping/income & expense tracking/cash flow
• Farm financing options/loans/grants
• Farmland regulations/land use
• Legal/liability
• Holistic management/fostering entrepreneurial spirit
• Land surveying/assessment/siting/resource management/renewable energy
• Finding land/leasing/purchasing/options
• Homesteading/homemaking

3. Peer to peer networking

Students in the FarmsNOW program will have the opportunity to meet and network with local farmers and agricultural professionals. RFC will organize farm tours and will host potluck discussion circles to bring together partners from across the agricultural community.

Program Details:

The FarmsNOW internship will run from mid-March through December 2015 and February through December 2016. Intern candidates must have 2-3 years of prior vegetable production experience, a deep commitment to learning, a willingness to commit two years to the program, and strong farm references.  A personal visit and interview with the Host Farm is required.

Tuition: The tuition fee for FarmsNOW is $750 per year. A $250 deposit will be required upon placement in the program, with additional payments due on June 15 and August 15. Other payment plans can be negotiated on an individual basis.

Fill out an application, or visit our website for a complete program description and more information on our Host Farms.