Details

Posted: Wed, January 22, 2025

$1,200/month Stipend with bonus upon completion of the season in December. Check, VA job

Email: info@weathertopfarm.com

Weathertop Farm

*** JOIN TEAM AT WEATHERTOP FARM!!! ***

Are you passionate about preserving sustainable agriculture systems within our local food-shed communities?

We are seeking apprenticeship candidates who:
–have an interest in regenerative agriculture
–are enthusiastic, flexible, and tenacious
–are fit for outdoor work in all seasons and weather and comfortable working with animals
–value living, learning, and working in community, while taking individual initiative
–are 18 or older

***ABOUT WEATHERTOP FARM***

Weathertop Farm is a family-owned and operated farm located on about 200 acres in the scenic Blue Ridge of Floyd County, Virginia.

We are dedicated to holistic regenerative agriculture through multi-species rotational grazing and intensive management. No antibiotics or hormones are used, and all livestock eat from pasture that is free of pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers. Any supplemental feed is non-GMO and locally sourced. Our diverse business includes raising and selling pastured chickens, eggs, pigs, lamb, turkeys, and cattle. In contrast to homestead or other non-profit operations, we are a for-profit business, therefore all facets of our farm must work together to enhance the whole business. We do the bulk of our sales direct-to-consumer here at the farm, another large portion through farmers markets, and a limited amount of wholesale to local food stores.

In addition to daily animal care, we also do all our own poultry processing on the farm, including broilers once per week from June-October and turkeys several days in October and November. We catch and transport our hogs, sheep, and steers to various processors. We maintain a fairly large inventory of meats which we take to farmers markets and sell from the farm store.

Our farm team is composed of owner-farmers, Sarah and Cedric, who’ve been stewarding the Weathertop land for 20+ years, along with 4 to 6 employees in apprentice and manager positions, as needs dictate. Additionally, our farm encompasses a diverse, multi-generational community of family, friends, neighbors and visitors, from grandparents to young children, all of whom participate with the farm at various times and in varying degrees, so patience, flexibility and understanding are a must.

We care a great deal about our farm community. We value diversity and equality and welcome anyone who is kind and conscientious to apply to join our team. Couples welcome.

*** APPRENTICESHIP OVERVIEW ***

Weathertop Farm invites 4 to 6 apprentices each year for the duration of our season, preferably beginning in March and staying through mid-December. We give preference to those who can commit to the full season, but depending on needs, we may consider other arrangements.

Apprentices must be ready to work hard doing manual labor in all kinds of weather. We expect apprentices to put in 40-50 hours a week on average, depending on farm schedule and season. Summer is our busiest time. Depending upon the day or task, apprentices might work alongside manager or farmers, in teams, or independently. Each apprentice will rotate through all areas of the farm. Poultry processing days are all-hands-on-deck and mandatory.

Farm experience is not required, but we value your education (formal or self-guided) and your demonstrated, genuine interest. What have you been listening to, reading, researching lately pertaining to sustainable, regenerative agriculture, intensive grazing of livestock, rotational management systems, etc.? Who have you been following? What brings you to explore the Apprenticeship at Weathertop Farm?

For a complete list of expectations, visit: weathertopfarm.com/apprenticeship

*** LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ***
You can expect to learn about the nitty-gritty details of raising animals first-hand–what the daily work is like on a farm as well as the bigger picture of how we plan for the year and how to integrate multiple species in a pasture-based system.  We will spend a lot of time in conversation about farming and related issues. You will have ample opportunity to ask whatever questions you have.

Through this experience you can gain an understanding of the daily ups and downs and ins and outs of a farming season. Because of the diverse range of tasks we require help with–from raising animals to butchering to marketing and sales–you will gain an understanding of how the diverse multi-species grazing operation of our farm is integrated into one business, functioning as a whole.

As time permits, we also offer group education classes and provide access to the farm library.
For more description of education opportunities visit: weathertopfarm.com/apprenticeship

*** COMPENSATION ***

In addition to education, Apprentices earn:
–$1,200/month Stipend
–Meat/Poultry/Egg share
–Housing plus utilities and wifi
–Bonus upon completion of the season in December. (At farmers’ discretion, for the right person, there is potential to take on more responsibilities and become an integral part of our farm beyond the first season.)

FOR FULL COMPENSATION, HOUSING, & APPLICATION DETAILS visit: weathertopfarm.com/apprenticeship.

WE’RE EXCITED TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! EMAIL QUESTIONS to info@weathertopfarm.com!