OWF Apprenticeships, CSA Workshares, and Volunteer!

Apprenticeships Available for 2012 Season

One Woman Farm will accept two farm apprentices for the 2012 growing season.  Apprentices at One Woman Farm will have the unique opportunity to work closely with the main farmer and participate in the day-to-day tasks of a fully functioning diversified farm. 

These tasks include:

• Greenhouse seeding and maintenance
• Field transplanting
• Crop maintenance, cultivation, weeding
• Harvesting, washing, packing produce
• Presentation and marketing of produce at farmers market
• Presentation of weekly CSA vegetables at farm for farm members
• Farm equipment maintenance
• Participating in all other crop-related tasks

The OWF apprentices will receive weekly produce, monthly stipend (dependant on qualifications), and experiential mind food in addition to an arena to cultivate practical skills that will last a lifetime. 

The apprenticeship positions will begin in April and will continue throughout late October to fully encompass the farm’s seasonal rhythms, harvests, and projects although different start and end dates may be accommodated.  A minimum of 25 hours of work per week is required.   

**College students that are unable to commit to a full season, but are interested in completing a summer internship at OWF are also invited to apply!  Please contact Margaret for further details.**

Qualities desired:

• Disciplined, responsible, flexible, and independent
• Excellent communication skills
  
• Ability to take direction, problem solve, and work well in a team environment
  
• A valid driver's license and ability to lift 50 pounds
• Ability to do physical manual work of farming and interest in learning about farming and food
• A self-starter work ethic and positive mental attitude
  

"Working at One Woman Farm was a wonderful and satisfying experience. I was able to further my farming knowledge by participating in and observing the inner workings of a successful small scale organic farm. Duties included seeding, transplanting, cultivating, mulching, irrigating, weeding, staking, composting, harvesting, packing, presenting, selling and delivering produce. Working with Margaret was a breath of fresh air as she is dedicated to her craft, motivated, experienced, educated, exuberant, engaging and eager to share her knowledge."

                                         -- Liz Monk, 2011 OWF Apprentice

The position will be best filled by applicants living in/or around the Pittsburgh area as room and board is not provided. All interested applicants are invited to submit a resume with three professional references and a letter of interest describing previous relevant experiences and skills.  For further information, or inquiries, please contact Margaret.

Workshare at One Woman Farm

  A workshare is a special arrangement between the farm and One Woman Farm CSA members who commit to and complete 35 hours of  farm work OR 50 hours of farmers market help and in turn receive a $100.00 discount on their total membership cost. 

There are two types of workshare opportunities at OWF: the farm workshare and the East Liberty farmers market workshare.

The Farm Workshare:

• a minimumof 35 hours
  
• tasks can include washing and packing produce, weeding, and transplanting at OWF. 
  
• This is an excellent opportunity for One Woman Farm members who have an interest in gaining a greater understanding of where and how their food is created. 
  

The East Liberty Farmers Market Workshare:

• takes place on Monday market from 2:30 - 6:30 pm
  
• a minimum of 50 hours
• tasks include assisting in setting up display, organizing and gathering OWF CSA members weekly farm share, making sales, and helping to tear down at the end of the market.
  
•  A sales people-person is best suited for the farmers market workshare. 
  

*If interested please contact Margaret for further details and workshare availability.*

"I never did anything on a farm before helping with the workshare.  I did a lot of weeding and I really liked eating the food that we helped with.  But, the best part was working with Margaret - she's really fun." 

                                       --William Arnold (14 years old)

"I joined OWF so that my family could try fresh vegetables that we had never eaten fore  and to expose my teenage son to a "farm" experience similiar to ones I had while growing up.  I chose a workshare because it was a great opportunity for my son to learn firsthand what it was like to your own food and to spend time working together.  It was worth every drop of sweat.  As a bonus, we learned more about CSAs and made a great new friend in Margaret.  We're looking forward to this year's produce and to weeding a few more rows of beets, kohlrabi, carrots, lettuce.."                      

                                       --Lori Liller Arnold

Volunteer Opportunities at One Woman Farm

Volunteer opportunities will be granted on an individual basis to those with varying skills levels ranging from novice to seasoned farm volunteer who express a sincere interest in gaining hands-on work experience on a diversified farm.  If you are interested in volunteering at One Woman Farm, please feel free to contact Margaret.