Morning Star Farm

Morning Star Farm is offering a work-trade for the upcoming 2018 season.

We are a small family operation located on an old homestead on Orcas ​Island, WA. The property is 34 Acres and includes 20 acres of forested land, 1.5 acres on a south facing slope in intensive annual organic vegetable production, a 1 acre pond, a small orchard of cherries, plums, apples and pears, and pasture. We have developed a successful farm business selling organic veggies, flowers, berries, eggs and herbs to the farmers market, local restaurants, food bank and schools. We are looking for strong competent and passionate people interested in a working with us.

In exchange for housing on the property and fresh eggs and produce from the garden, we ask for 3 days of labor on the farm each week. Work on the farm includes seeding, transplanting, cultivating, harvesting, preparing produce and flowers for market, caring for chickens, composting, and tending the pasture and forest. If you would like to supplement this trade with paid work, we will support you in finding part-time work in the Orcas community.

Desired Qualities: Some farm experience is preferred but a strong desire to learn is enough. Must be able to comfortably lift up to 50 lbs. Must enjoy physical labor and early mornings, with the ability to do repetitive, sometimes challenging tasks in all kinds of weather.  Good communication skills and a willingness to work with all personalities is essential, ability to hear constructive criticism without taking it personally, a good sense of humor also a must, a good sense of organization is helpful, as is a good understanding of self-care.

Housing: 16-by-16 wood framed tent cabin with wood stove, electricity, small kitchen area and Wi-Fi, or off the grid cabin with basic cooking facilities, wood stove, small sitting area, sleeping loft, porch, Wi-Fi.  Two outdoor showers and composting toilet. Our barn is a communal space with a full kitchen, wood stove, and is great for preparing meals, relaxing and creative projects.

Educational Opportunities:  We aim to create a working environment with ample opportunities to learn skills and practices necessary for the stewardship of a small farm. In living and working with us, you will be exposed to our farm systems–propagation of annuals and perennials, soil biology and fertility, farm-scale composting and vermicomposting, orchard work, pasture management, carpentry skills, and agroforestry work. We encourage you to explore the areas of our farm that interest you most and will provide support and resources for you to learn throughout your time with us.

Dates of Work Trade: Mid-April through October 2018

If you’re interested, please email a cover letter and resume to by March 17th.