Apprentice/Internship

Farm Description
Our farm is located on 20 acres of prime river bottom alluvial soil just 5 miles east from downtown Austin. Our 300 member CSA is beginning its third season. We have about 16 acres in cultivation and about 4 acres of beautiful mature pecan trees.

Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship at Johnson's Backyard Garden is a hands-on working/learning experience. We expect that our apprentices will participate in and learn all aspects of our farm work and vegetable production. This will include soil preparation, green house work, equipment operation and maintenance, planting, weeding, harvesting, irrigation management, construction projects, and customer interaction through working with volunteers, educational activities/tours and farmers market sales. Interns will be given opportunities to work on several individual projects the simultaneously pique their interest and benefit the farm. One of our goals is to show apprentices how they can operate and manage a sustainable, financially stable farm in a relatively small area. Our workweek is challenging (5½ days), but rewarding.

Work/Experience Desired
We are looking for energetic, enthusiastic, motivated people who are dependable, eager to learn, have a practical outlook on life, and willing to become part of our farm team. We prefer people with a sincere desire to learn farming, and that desire is more important than actual farming experience. A good sense of humor is an added bonus!

How to Apply
Anyone possessing a serious interest in agriculture and the physical ability to work the long hours of a farming schedule will be considered. To apply, please fill out our internship questionnaire (and e-mail a current resumé if you have one). All interested applicants are encouraged to set up a time to visit and work on the farm. All hiring decisions will be made on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested, please contact us to arrange for a visit to the farm.

Minimum Stay/Work Schedule
Ideally, we would like our apprentices to plan to stay for an entire season because this gives the best possible experience, but we can be somewhat flexible on this. Working for an entire year is most desirable for us and beneficial for apprentices because they are able to experience all growing seasons. The work schedule is all-day Monday through Friday, and half-day on Saturday.

Learning Opportunities
Our apprentices participate in periodic visits to other area farms to learn and network with other apprentices and farmers. We consider this an important component in the educational experience. Apprentices are welcome to borrow books from the small farm library to read more about a variety of farming techniques and theories on farming. It may be possible for apprentices to arrange with their colleges to receive internship credit and we encourage students to investigate this possibility.

Stipend
In addition to the educational components of the apprenticeship, apprentices receive a stipend of $500 per month.

Room and Board
Housing is provided in two mobile homes on the farm. Internet and laundry facilities are also provided. For cooling off in the summer, the Colorado River is a short walk through the woods right next to the farm. Fresh garden vegetables for meals are provided.

Number of Interns
Eight.

Contact Preference:
E-mail: farm@johnsonsbackyardgarden.com